Hi all,

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.

'Cherries on the cake' would be auto duplex printing and Air / Android
print.

And all of that at the least possible TCO of course and
recommendations ideally from personal experience.

Cheers, T i m

p.s. They got a tiny HP B/W laser and a separate HP scanner because
the all-in-one lasers are often pretty big or have sticky out paper
trays (and you have all yer eggs in one basket etc).

p.p.s. I didn't need to mention that they will be primarily printing
from Windows (as every, even GDI printers support that) but they also
have the option of Linux (dual boot) and so support for that could be
handy in an emergency etc.

T i m wrote:

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.

I wanted a small laser last year and got one of the B&W Samsung M2026,
which is small enough to lift onto the top shelf when not required and
fetch down to the desk when required.

I noticed pcworld had the Samsung C430W colour laser for under £100 last
week and was nearly tempted to buy one, it's not too much bigger than
the mono one (mainly taller due to having an internal paper tray rather
than sticky-out paper shelf) but I dithered and now the price is back to
£130.

I do have a gigantic Epson duplex, postscript, dual bin, networked laser
but it really doesn't deserve the space it (and the consumables I have
for it) eats in the back bedroom.

Samsung printers are HP now.

On Sat, 2 Feb 2019 11:48:30 +0000, Andy Burns
wrote:

snip

I wanted a small laser last year and got one of the B&W Samsung M2026,
which is small enough to lift onto the top shelf when not required and
fetch down to the desk when required.

Same with their current HP M15W Mono WiFi Laser. 'Worlds smallest' it
says on the box and it is tiny (before you put all it's flaps down).
;-)


I noticed pcworld had the Samsung C430W colour laser for under £100 last
week and was nearly tempted to buy one, it's not too much bigger than
the mono one (mainly taller due to having an internal paper tray rather
than sticky-out paper shelf) but I dithered and now the price is back to
£130.

That's still not unreasonable and doesn't look like it has any sticky
out flaps. ;-) Any idea if you can refill or get aftermarket toner
for it cheaply please (compared to any similar models I mean) and if
so, do you OOI?


I do have a gigantic Epson duplex, postscript, dual bin, networked laser
but it really doesn't deserve the space it (and the consumables I have
for it) eats in the back bedroom.

I'm in a similar position with a Ricoh SP C252SF but it's a good
workhorse. ;-)

Samsung printers are HP now.

Oh, interesting, thanks.

A mate used to supply big printers and copiers and many of the
machines came with several badges to choose from for the installer to
apply to the customers preference. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

On 02/02/2019 11:48, Andy Burns wrote:
T i m wrote:

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.

I wanted a small laser last year and got one of the B&W Samsung M2026,
which is small enough to lift onto the top shelf when not required and
fetch down to the desk when required.

I noticed pcworld had the Samsung C430W colour laser for under £100 last
week and was nearly tempted to buy one, it's not too much bigger than
the mono one (mainly taller due to having an internal paper tray rather
than sticky-out paper shelf) but I dithered and now the price is back to
£130.

I do have a gigantic Epson duplex, postscript, dual bin, networked laser
but it really doesn't deserve the space it (and the consumables I have
for it) eats in the back bedroom.

Samsung printers are HP now.

Love my HP laserjet M252n

wasnt too expensicve.
On its second set of cartrdges now



--
I would rather have questions that cannot be answered...
....than to have answers that cannot be questioned

Richard Feynman

On Saturday, 2 February 2019 11:48:34 UTC, Andy Burns wrote:
T i m wrote:

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.


I noticed pcworld had the Samsung C430W colour laser for under £100 last
week and was nearly tempted to buy one, it's not too much bigger than
the mono one (mainly taller due to having an internal paper tray rather
than sticky-out paper shelf) but I dithered and now the price is back to
£130.
I have the Samsung, with which I am satisfied. It seems to meet your requirements: wi-fi, etc.,Third-party carts work fine, and , including the rear plugs, measures 400 mm front-to-back.

Mr Fuxit wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

pcworld had the Samsung C430W colour laser for under £100 last week

I have the Samsung, with which I am satisfied. measures 400 mm front-to-back.

I hadn't realised the paper tray (when loaded with paper) sticks out the
front ...

On Sun, 3 Feb 2019 10:09:54 -0800 (PST), Mr Fuxit
wrote:

On Saturday, 2 February 2019 11:48:34 UTC, Andy Burns wrote:
T i m wrote:

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.


I noticed pcworld had the Samsung C430W colour laser for under £100 last
week and was nearly tempted to buy one, it's not too much bigger than
the mono one (mainly taller due to having an internal paper tray rather
than sticky-out paper shelf) but I dithered and now the price is back to
£130.

I have the Samsung, with which I am satisfied. It seems to meet your requirements: wi-fi, etc.,Third-party carts work fine, and , including the rear plugs, measures 400 mm front-to-back.

But doesn't that have a sticky out paper tray and a output tray flippy
flap?

Cheers, T i m

On 02/02/2019 11:24, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.

'Cherries on the cake' would be auto duplex printing and Air / Android
print.

And all of that at the least possible TCO of course and
recommendations ideally from personal experience.

Cheers, T i m

p.s. They got a tiny HP B/W laser and a separate HP scanner because
the all-in-one lasers are often pretty big or have sticky out paper
trays (and you have all yer eggs in one basket etc).

p.p.s. I didn't need to mention that they will be primarily printing
from Windows (as every, even GDI printers support that) but they also
have the option of Linux (dual boot) and so support for that could be
handy in an emergency etc.


I've been happy with my Lexmark CS410dn. Taller than modern mono ones,
but full duplex and wifi.

On Sat, 2 Feb 2019 13:15:12 +0000, newshound
wrote:

snip

I've been happy with my Lexmark CS410dn. Taller than modern mono ones,
but full duplex and wifi.

Thanks for that.

The last Lexmark I dealt with was one of those 'ink on a roll of cling
film ones. Brilliant prints but about £1 / page then! ;-(

Cheers, T i m

On 02/02/2019 19:46, T i m wrote:
On Sat, 2 Feb 2019 13:15:12 +0000, newshound
wrote:

snip

I've been happy with my Lexmark CS410dn. Taller than modern mono ones,
but full duplex and wifi.

Thanks for that.

The last Lexmark I dealt with was one of those 'ink on a roll of cling
film ones. Brilliant prints but about £1 / page then! ;-(

Cheers, T i m

I have a Canon Selphy that does "postcards" by dye sublimation. These
days more often than not I'll run off an A4 print on the Lexmark and
laminate it if I want to give someone a picture.

On 02/02/2019 11:24, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

1) Reasonably compact, height being the least important.

2) No 'sticky out' paper input or output trays or guides (to get
kicked off, as the printer will be on the bottom shelf of one of those
metal PC workstations).

3) Networkable (WiFi at least).

4) Reliable.

5) Reasonably cheap replacement carts.

'Cherries on the cake' would be auto duplex printing and Air / Android
print.

And all of that at the least possible TCO of course and
recommendations ideally from personal experience.

Cheers, T i m

p.s. They got a tiny HP B/W laser and a separate HP scanner because
the all-in-one lasers are often pretty big or have sticky out paper
trays (and you have all yer eggs in one basket etc).

p.p.s. I didn't need to mention that they will be primarily printing
from Windows (as every, even GDI printers support that) but they also
have the option of Linux (dual boot) and so support for that could be
handy in an emergency etc.


I have had a Dell dell c1760nw for a few years.

--
Michael Chare

On Sat, 2 Feb 2019 15:47:34 +0000, Michael Chare
wrote:

snip

I have had a Dell dell c1760nw for a few years.

Yeah, mate had a big Dell in his PC shop and apart from even copy
carts being a fortune, it did seem to go on and on. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

T i m wrote:
Hi all,

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

After asking similar questions, I ended up with a Brother HL-L8260CDW which
does all of your requirements and is currently on £100 cashback, making it
£83.94.
https://www.printerland.co.uk/produc...8260cdw/139150

Colour quality isn't amazing, but is good enough - I'm not printing photos.

The best bit is it doesn't have toner reset chips, so you just need a bit of
plastic ('toner reset wheel') to refill the toner carts:
https://www.urefilltoner.co.uk/how-t...-L8410cdw.html

I haven't run out of toner yet, but I'm going to try and 3D print one when I
do. Also, being unchipped, there are cheap third party cartridges so you
don't even need the reset wheel.

Theo

On 02 Feb 2019 18:45:47 +0000 (GMT), Theo
wrote:

T i m wrote:
Hi all,

I'm possibly looking out for a compact colour laser printer and have
some requirements (sort of in order of importance).

After asking similar questions, I ended up with a Brother HL-L8260CDW which
does all of your requirements and is currently on £100 cashback, making it
£83.94.
https://www.printerland.co.uk/produc...8260cdw/139150

Ooo, nice price.

Colour quality isn't amazing, but is good enough - I'm not printing photos.

That would be the need / expectation here also.

The best bit is it doesn't have toner reset chips, so you just need a bit of
plastic ('toner reset wheel') to refill the toner carts:
https://www.urefilltoner.co.uk/how-t...-L8410cdw.html

And that covers my TCO question. You can get free printers as long as
you buy plenty of toner carts (eg Morgan Computers).

I haven't run out of toner yet, but I'm going to try and 3D print one when I
do.

Interesting (as I have a 3d printer). ;-)

Also, being unchipped, there are cheap third party cartridges so you
don't even need the reset wheel.

Excellent. I think that sounds like it ticks all the boxes Theo, the
only slight issue is the depth. The space we have from the front of
the bottom shelf to the wall is 400mm and according to the spec, the
printer is 486. If the printer uses a rear mounted but not recessed
IEC plug then that can add a few more mm (less if you can get away
with a right angled version) but we should be able to pull the
workstation away from the wall slightly, if it looks like it's
overhanging a bit too much. Or put the printer up on a bit of a plinth
so your feet can go underneath if sitting in front of it. It think
something like that would be worth looking into, should it be an
issue, because of all the other plusses.

But better that than a flimsy paper tray sticking out waiting to get
snapped off. ;-(

Cheers, T i m

T i m wrote:
On 02 Feb 2019 18:45:47 +0000 (GMT), Theo
wrote:

Ooo, nice price.

The cashback paid up pretty rapidly after I submitted the claim.
(and none of this 'must claim between 73 and 74 days after purchase' stuff
that you sometimes get - you can submit the claim as soon as you receive the
printer, within 28 days)

I haven't run out of toner yet, but I'm going to try and 3D print one
when I do.

Interesting (as I have a 3d printer). ;-)

Since the last time I looked this has come on the market:
https://www.inkowl.com/laser/color-r...tarter/P10787/

- claims it's for the TN-431 cart (North America), not the TN-421 (Europe).
Turns out region locking of printers is a thing, but I'm tempted to buy one
if nothing else has turned up when I start getting low.

(and suffer the $13 postage across the pond, still way cheaper than an
official cart)

Also, being unchipped, there are cheap third party cartridges so you
don't even need the reset wheel.

I'm a bit dubious of:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HaloFox-4...Y/283343341545
but only because it's *so* cheap.

Excellent. I think that sounds like it ticks all the boxes Theo, the
only slight issue is the depth. The space we have from the front of
the bottom shelf to the wall is 400mm and according to the spec, the
printer is 486. If the printer uses a rear mounted but not recessed
IEC plug then that can add a few more mm (less if you can get away
with a right angled version) but we should be able to pull the
workstation away from the wall slightly, if it looks like it's
overhanging a bit too much. Or put the printer up on a bit of a plinth
so your feet can go underneath if sitting in front of it. It think
something like that would be worth looking into, should it be an
issue, because of all the other plusses.

The IEC is rear mounted (bottom right corner seen from the front), but
there's a 9mm recess. I measure 27mm from the end of the IEC connector when
inserted to the flat of the back panel, so add onto that whatever your right
angle version does.

You'll need access to the rear for paper jams, but if it's on a trolley you
can pull it forward temporarily, or just the printer.
(I've only ever had jams when I've left something on top of it and the
duplexer has tried to fire paper into a solid object)

But better that than a flimsy paper tray sticking out waiting to get
snapped off. ;-(

Indeed. It's a fairly substantial lump

Theo

On 02 Feb 2019 20:44:11 +0000 (GMT), Theo
wrote:

T i m wrote:
On 02 Feb 2019 18:45:47 +0000 (GMT), Theo
wrote:

Ooo, nice price.

The cashback paid up pretty rapidly after I submitted the claim.
(and none of this 'must claim between 73 and 74 days after purchase' stuff
that you sometimes get - you can submit the claim as soon as you receive the
printer, within 28 days)

I haven't run out of toner yet, but I'm going to try and 3D print one
when I do.

Interesting (as I have a 3d printer). ;-)

Since the last time I looked this has come on the market:
https://www.inkowl.com/laser/color-r...tarter/P10787/

- claims it's for the TN-431 cart (North America), not the TN-421 (Europe).
Turns out region locking of printers is a thing, but I'm tempted to buy one
if nothing else has turned up when I start getting low.

They offer a 'Contact us' if it turns out you have time?

(and suffer the $13 postage across the pond, still way cheaper than an
official cart)

Quite (and if I get a printer, of the postage is the same on two kits
and you want to split the postage ... )?

Also, being unchipped, there are cheap third party cartridges so you
don't even need the reset wheel.

I'm a bit dubious of:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HaloFox-4...Y/283343341545
but only because it's *so* cheap.

Agreed ... but unless it's just a typo they have a 100% positive
feedback ...

Excellent. I think that sounds like it ticks all the boxes Theo, the
only slight issue is the depth. The space we have from the front of
the bottom shelf to the wall is 400mm and according to the spec, the
printer is 486. If the printer uses a rear mounted but not recessed
IEC plug then that can add a few more mm (less if you can get away
with a right angled version) but we should be able to pull the
workstation away from the wall slightly, if it looks like it's
overhanging a bit too much. Or put the printer up on a bit of a plinth
so your feet can go underneath if sitting in front of it. It think
something like that would be worth looking into, should it be an
issue, because of all the other plusses.

The IEC is rear mounted (bottom right corner seen from the front), but
there's a 9mm recess. I measure 27mm from the end of the IEC connector when
inserted to the flat of the back panel, so add onto that whatever your right
angle version does.

Excellent, thanks. Can you see any reason a right angled plug wouldn't
work with that recess Theo?

eg. eBay item 191013008879, 3rd picture. I'm not sure if it would
matter about the 'hand' of the plug?

You'll need access to the rear for paper jams, but if it's on a trolley you
can pull it forward temporarily, or just the printer.

Check.

(I've only ever had jams when I've left something on top of it and the
duplexer has tried to fire paper into a solid object)

Doh. ;-)

But better that than a flimsy paper tray sticking out waiting to get
snapped off. ;-(

Indeed. It's a fairly substantial lump

Yes, it looks it ... and is the same weight as my 60Ah semi traction
leisure battery or a 2.5hp 4/ Mariner outboard motor. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Theo wrote:

a Brother HL-L8260CDW which does all of your requirements and is
currently on £100 cashback, making it £83.94.
https://www.printerland.co.uk/produc...8260cdw/139150
The best bit is it doesn't have toner reset chips

The Lexmark CS317dn is chipped, but only costs £58+VAT so assuming you
get the stated 750 colour pages plus maybe an additional 500 black-only
pages out of the starter toners, it's cheaper to buy a new printer, than
fork out £266+VAT for a set of full-size toners that would yield 2300
colour pages plus 3000 black-only pages

I know you can't simply add the black pages and colour pages, but even
if you assume you only get 500 black pages on top of the colour ones, it
still works out 30% cheaper to junk the printer than buy refills ...
madness.

Andy Burns wrote:

it still works out 30% cheaper to junk the printer

three times over

than buy refills ... madness.

On Sat, 2 Feb 2019 21:11:38 +0000, Andy Burns
wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

it still works out 30% cheaper to junk the printer

three times over

than buy refills ... madness.

Agreed 100%. ;-(

The only win could be if you are looking for a very low entry point
and don't intend printing much, in which case it could last you
*years*?

And unlike an ink-jet, it won't normally die between uses, no matter
how infrequent?

But it seems it is often the case that buying a spare part or more
consumables cost disproportionately more than buying the thing new or
part.

Like, the bath plug-chain was broken on step daughters bath and I
removed the chain (one of those ball types) from all the fittings with
the intention of replacing just that. I am quite ready to find a new
chain *and* plug as a service kit are cheaper than just 1m of the
chain?

Or the replacement pump for my desktop parts washer costing about 90%
of a complete new item.

Cheers, T i m

On 02/02/2019 22:07, T i m wrote:

Like, the bath plug-chain was broken on step daughters bath and I
removed the chain (one of those ball types)

Fed up with the ball type rusting at the water air boundary when left in
bowls full of water I purchased a chain claimed to be stainless steel.
Yep, the actual chain bit is stainless but the two end figure of 8 bent
metal bits that actually fit to the plug and to the hole in the middle
of the overflow are not!

from all the fittings with
the intention of replacing just that. I am quite ready to find a new
chain *and* plug as a service kit are cheaper than just 1m of the
chain?

I've found that replacement metal plugs with a rubber O ring seal seem
to be better than the plastic/rubber ones with my sink.



--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

T i m wrote:
But it seems it is often the case that buying a spare part or more
consumables cost disproportionately more than buying the thing new or
part.

Obviously toner is the mainline drug they're pushing, but it's almost worth
buying a second printer to store unopened, in order to have a stash of
drums, fusers, etc that you can swap into the other one for less than the
price of official spares.

I don't think I'm quite at that level of hoarding (and don't have the space)
but could imagine it would be worth doing if you were a business with a
small fleet of them.

Theo