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How to Buy the Wrong Color Laser Printer

My Experiences

Despite the title, I think my experiences could be useful guide for others. Should you need to replace a printer quickly, my choices of criteria could be instructive. I should note too, much of the information I had was based upon faulty inputs and mis-diagnosed problems. Nonetheless, my criteria yielded a decent unit, just more than what was needed. In part that was due to my daughter needing a quick replacement. Moreover, the printer had to function on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Given those constraints and misinformation, I could have done much worse.

My biases should be recognized too, e.g. I would not buy another ink jet type printer under any circumstances. While some of the information I based that stance upon was faulty, overall I still think it was the proper decision. The necessity of needing a color printer suitable for Windows, the Mac OS X and Linux limited my options. Furthermore, I also thought the printer would have be be networked to reach these different machines spread throughout the building, which pushed my choices too far up scale. Ironically, this all resulted from the seeming failure of several printers due varying causes over a short time period. Furthermore, each had a different level of dubious validity. In the end the determining factor was a replacement was needed quickly for school work.

How it Began

For a year or more my daughter used an Epson C-83, that gave the appearance of being an excellent printer. The printer was fast, the colors seemed a close match, the inks were in four separate cartridges [1.] and it was the last of a long line of Epson printers that I had purchased. From all appearances it was an excellent machine that seemed to operate flawlessly. Thus, I was impressed and stocked up on Epson ink cartridges.

I will skip the gory details, however, it seemed in quick succession I was seeing all our ink jet type [2.] printers malfunctioning or dying. Most alarming was the C-83 losing the ability to show specific colors or only faded shades. I thought changing out to new color cartridges would take care of the issue, however, it worsened the problems until the pages were entirely devoid of any indication of ink on the surface. The printer, however, went through the motions but consistently yielded nothing. I passed on my older Epson color unit and it was a horror getting it recognized and partially functioning on the XP machine. It too seemed to slide to oblivion all too quickly. Finally as a stop gap measure I handed over my Samsung B&W laser printer that on Linux used an older model's driver. Nonetheless, I got this laser printer working on Linux under differing distributions and versions much easier than on XP. I was quickly running out of options.

Disenchantment with Ink Jet Type Printers

I might have written off the close proximity, in time, of multiple printers of the same type failing had I not had such a hard time getting a diagnosis and access to remedial measures. Yes the printer had not completely failed, however, the depositing of ink was at fault with a repair price probably exceeding the purchase price. The latter made me skeptical of the repair option, but it was the removal of the on-line manuals that turned me utterly against considering buying another junk unit [3.].

While my assessment may seem harsh, the useful lifetime of the printer barely exceeded the warranty. Indeed, it was my mistaken insistence that the unit was a recent purchase that allowed me to receive an assessment of the problem without paying the diagnosis fee. I concluded the low pricing meant these units were built to fail. My past experience misled me into stocking up on consumables. I had no intention of repeating the mistake. I heard from associates and read that my experience was not the exception. Therefore, I think I made the proper choice of excluding ink jet type printers.

Evaluation Criteria

My search for a replacement printer did not begin systematically. My first step was to begin visiting Electronic, Office Supply stores to just acquaint myself with the product line offered and pricing of the more modest sized color laser jet printers. Initially, I was pleasantly surprised by some low pricing, albeit, by brand names I had no knowledge. Here are some of the rules I developed though physical visits, suggestions from associates and on-line research.

     Be Skeptical of Low Purchase Price

Very early I ran across a unit that was perhaps double the price I would have paid for an ink jet. The printed sample I was able to run on the store setup was acceptable, but not exceptionally good. However, the pricing was much less than other displayed units. Nonetheless, my reason for eliminating this unit was it implicitly relied upon Windows OS onto which it off loaded critical functionality. Think something akin to a Win-modem and all the engendered problems for every other OS. That alone made it a nonstarter.

The low price was an accurate reflection of its cheap construction. It was cheap, because that is the way it was designed and built. Only on the surface could this printer seem to be a bargain. This type of printer was eliminated.

     Consumables Cost More Than the Purchase Price

In my case, I need only replace each printer toner cartridge once, at a discounted price, to match the purchase price including taxes. I have noticed two things about the brand name producers of laser printers: 1. they are resorting to using consumables as their major profit center in this market and 2. reduction in quality reflected in reduced reliability in the middle range consumer units [4.]. What I have seen is a fairly drastic reduction in cartridge capacities as measured in supposed per page capacities [5.] that tend to be overestimates. Therefore, do not underestimate the costs, which will be both significant and long term.

     Operational Costs

There are two components to this expense, i.e. powering the unit in operation and in standby modes. And the scheduled maintenance expenses of expected hardware replacement and repair [6.] as should be described in the manufacturer's manual. Unfortunately, I was completely unaware of the latter, until after I had purchased my printer. The manual was on-line, however, even had I known the manuals were available I might not have discovered the required maintenance section. You are now forewarned.

Get and read the specifications carefully. I focused on standby power consumption, since my unit was going to be running extended periods waiting for printing requests, hence, I wanted a low draw. I also looked at the delay time before going into standby. Nonetheless, what shocked me most was that some units that drew more power in standby than mine did at the startup power spike. Wasteful printers represent an unnecessary drain on your budget.

     Operating Systems Support

Here it is fairly simple. That is, make certain drivers are available to support the OSs you need. However, that alone will not assure you of uniform support across all OSs. Windows was supported best, with the Mac less so and Linux at more rudimentary level. I did not delve deeply on the topic, because I knew I had to have a printer that initially supported Windows, that would work with the Mac when it arrived. At the time I expected the networked printer would meet my limited needs for a color printer on Linux. So I was not as worried about more than basic support at about the level I saw previously with the ink jet type printers. The printer I purchased seemed to meet those needs.

Conclusions

On the basis of the criteria outlined above I ended up purchasing a Samsung CLP-600N, which certainly fulfilled the needs as I perceived them. However, the rules listed applied then, given the same task today the choice might result in a different unit. I advise doing your homework using as many trusted independent sources as possible. Finally apply your own set of criteria so that you end up with the best match possible.

Here is a quick summary of the issues I consider most important for my choice:

There is at least one criterion some might require, which is add-on options. For example, I have in the past added an additional/larger paper tray. On this unit an additional network card is also an option. If those features or something similar enters into your buying decision, add it to the list.

On any printer that becomes a candidate for purchase, search for user reviews as well as supposed objective hardware reviews in magazines and on-line. Sometimes, reading of a potential problem others encountered could save you unnecessary grief. Now one final tip, confirm the unit you purchase supports your critical criteria. Do not assume anything, e.g., since an older version had the support you need does not mean the current model will. Take the case of Seagate hard drives, they seemed to supported Linux for a long time. That has changed. Save money and grief; confirm everything and support those that support Linux.

An Explanation

The title indicates I purchased the wrong printer, however, that's an over statement. From the discussion you can conclude I made a good choice. That is particularly true when I mention the print quality and colors were excellent. The problem resulted not from my criteria, but from giving too much weight to the apparent printer failures. For example, the loaned Epson Stylus Color 880 worked as well as it had once I reconnected it to my Linux machine. I fully expect the same result when I need my Samsung B&W laser printer. I do not understand why so many take as a given that hardware just works on Windows, when the past few years what I have observed, many times, it is exact the opposite.

I use color very sparingly, for maps and print out of screens to show potential clients mockups of their web pages. So it appears I "overbought", but if I need color when the 880 finally dies I have a ready option on my local network, provided I can pin down the printer's IP.

Corrections, suggested extension or comments write: How-To-Guy. If the mailto does not work, use this: hcohen[-At-]bst-softwaredevs.com.

     © Herschel Cohen, All Rights Reserved

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    1.  Meaning I liked the design, where color separation made  
        discarding half full color cartridges unnecessary.  Return

    2.  Meaning generic type, not the branded HP product line.
        Return

    3.  Though I found multiple references to the existence
        of the manuals, I found mention that Epson removed them 
	from the cited locations.  My efforts to find copies 
	elsewhere failed.  Return

    4.  Here, I have HP in mind.  I had held HP in high regard,
        since my experience with a 3-P laser printer was very
        positive.  However, the complaints I have read from 
	users show a different approach by this company.  I 
	advise checking slashdot users' comments on this topic.  
	Return

    5.  Note that measurement could be as little as 5% toner
        per page, whereas a colored page would require far 
	more toner per page.  Return

    6.  Read in advance of purchase, be skeptical if it is 
        absent.  Return

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