Good printer deals? + suggestions?

[edmicman]

I'm looking for a printer for my brother to take off to college in a couple of weeks. Are the $60 laser printer deals the best thing going right now? I'm still not sure if I want to get him a laser printer or an inkjet - it looks like I can get an inkjet for about the same price (Canon i475D from Office Depot?). Personally I would get myself the laser, but I don't really print anything in color. What would be the best for him do you think? Are these prices about as good as it will get in the next couple weeks? Thanks!

 

[Xcali]

Get the laser. Currently, I own both a laser and a color inkjet. The inkjet gets powered up maybe once every 3 or 4 months. The laser gets almost daily use.

Over the life of the printer, you'll probably spend less money on the laser. Ink is expensive compared to toner. I'm not in college any more, but I do a decent amount of printing. I'm still on the original toner cartridge for the Brother 1240HL that I bought 3 years ago.

Also consider that, in general, when the ink well runs dry, that's it. There's often little to no warning. Toner tends to get lighter and lighter as it nears the end, and it can often be "revived" for a few pages by shaking the cartridge. That's something to consider when you're printing that paper at 2 am or 5 minutes before it's due. Also, toner doesn't smear when it gets wet like many inks do.

 

[spazntwitch]

I agree with Xcali about the laser printer...it's a much better bargain in the end. I haven't seen a laser go below $60 so get it while you can.