Laser printer?

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:16 AM

I should have added, the "output" from the switch goes to a USB hub which connects to the peripheral devices.

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:13 AM

Yes, there is such thing as a USB switch, I use this one on my desk. It may or may not be the solution you want though, eg you could prefer a print server or just network sharing. For me, I just like the cheap, quick easy method of passing scanner, card reader, etc. to/from desktop/ laptop.

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: bfdk
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:27 AM

I bought a colour inkjet way back and never really used it because of the high cost of refills. Then I bought an Okipage 4w which was replaced with an Oki 8w upon its demise. Once the XP SP1 was installed, however, I started having trouble with it, as there was no XP driver available for it.

Last year, then, I bought a Brother HL-1430. It set me back about DKK 1000 (USD 166 or thereabouts) and that included a cartridge which was said to be able to do about 500 prints. That one's still running now. A new cartridge bought at the same time, but for about 2500 prints, cost me about DKK 750 at the time.

This Brother is connected through the parallel port, but it can also be connected through USB. I'm very happy with it, and I use it for my job as well, as I work from home.

Bente

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: Gurney
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 02:09 AM

Sorry about the double post. Mudcat apparently closed my connection, and I thought it hadn't gone through.

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: Gurney
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 02:06 AM

US$200 = NZ$400 or so, and the Brother is on special at NZ$200.

This is good news, because the Brother also has a Parallel connection.
Even better, the Lexmark cartridges are about the same price as the laser's refills, but they certainly don't do 3300 pages.
Thanks, Rapaire.

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:28 PM

You can set up a wireless network to print on one printer with both computers without running cables. The software for the network card should know what computers are addressing it (I haven't done this, so won't try to get more specific except to say it can be done).

I'm going to have to buy a new cartridge this month for my laser printer. It is large capacity, and there are two sizes. One is $60, the other is $120. Like Rapaire says, these are a lot less than the cumulative colored ink cartridges. The big laser cartridge will probably last for a couple of years. The smaller one that came with my HP 1320 lasted about 10 months.

SRS

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:28 PM

US$200 = NZ$400 or so, the Brother is on special at NZ$200.

This is good news, because the Brother also has a Parallel connection.
Even better, the Lexmark cartridges are about the same price as the laser's refills, but they certainly don't do 3300 pages.
Thanks, Rapaire.

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:21 PM

I'm using a black-only lasewr printer, a color inkjet and a second inkjet dedicated to CD printing. They all plug into a USB hub, and switching is done within the various programs: the only disadvantage is that when I wish to use a printer other than my primary printer, I have to specify which one as part of the print command within each program.

Subject: RE: Laser printer?
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:14 PM

Dunno about the data switch because I haven't had to look into it. But yes, laser printers are quite feasible for low--use applications. We have an HP 1020 at home and I use one in the office as well.

Laser are CONSIDERABLY less expensive per copy than an inkjet! Even a color laser is less expensive than an inkjet! I'd recommend the HP 1020, but you know best what you want. You'll pay about USD 200.00 for a decent black only laser.

Subject: Laser printer?
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:01 PM

My Lexmark inkjet is wounded, perhaps fatally. The carriage lost a location stud, the cartridge doesn't line up/contact properly, and I need a printer for my business. I may be able to fix it later but right now I need one.

The other thing is that I have two computers, one for business and one for the web, on a Parallel data-switch to one printer, and the vast majority of printers have only USB connections. OK, I can use them, but I want to switch them.   Here come the questions.

Is there such a thing as a USB data-switch?
Are laser printers good for low-use applications.

I fancy a little Brother laser printer, but I've had no experience with this type, hence the question.

Thanks, Chris.