[ranga]

Hi,

I need to buy a new laser printer for use with my G4 (sawtooth) and my Pismo.
Both are running 10.2. I'm not looking for something too fancy (my price range is
$250 - $400), just something reliable.

I was considering either a Samsung or a Brother, but both companies don't seem to
have 10.2 drivers and the drivers don't seem to be built into Print Center.

Does anyone know of a laser printer that works well under 10.2?

Thanks,

--ranga

[Boochie]

No troubles with my aged HP LaserJet 5MP. HP's printers seem to be fairly well supported. Have you looked at the compatibility list on Apple's web site?

Originally posted by ranga:
Hi,

I need to buy a new laser printer for use with my G4 (sawtooth) and my Pismo.
Both are running 10.2. I'm not looking for something too fancy (my price range is
$250 - $400), just something reliable.

I was considering either a Samsung or a Brother, but both companies don't seem to
have 10.2 drivers and the drivers don't seem to be built into Print Center.

Does anyone know of a laser printer that works well under 10.2?

Thanks,

--ranga

[G4ME]

my epson seems a little funny it doesn't want to connect all the time, I need to unconnect and reconnect to actually print, it only happens once every time I beging printing after I shut it off

[climber]

The following advice is going to break your budget, but worth considering anyways.

If you purchase a postscript compatible network printer like the Hp 2200n or 1200n, you will NEVER have to worry about drivers again. These types of printers ALL use the same LaserWriter driver.

Simply put, I have an Apple Personal LaserWriter NTR. This printer, as well as the original Apple laser printer that was sold in the late 80’s, can still be hooked up to work with a brand new G4 running OSX. (using the appropriate network bridge) The mac I used back then (Mac IIci) has long since been obsolete.

The other advantage is if you might need to print to the new printer form a PC or a second mac. A network printer makes that very nice because the shared computer does not have to be turned on or cross platform capaple.

I personally favor the HP’s right now. The USB version of the 1200 can be upgraded latter, and is much closer to your budget. The 1200se is about 400 bucks. The 1200n is just under 600.

[Timothy Maxwell]

If at all possible, stick with the HP printers. I have used them for years and have not had any trouble. I use the HP 4mPlus and the HP 5. Both printers work well with my PC's and macs.

I have had trouble, however, with the new All In One HP Fax, Printer, Scanner Unit(d145). It's not laser but it is a good printer that I am using in a mixed platform environment. Considering your budget, you might want to consider one of these type printers. It works but the OS 10 driver is a bit buggy.

[robby818]

HP Laserjet 1200. very very fast, excellent print quality, and HP finally returned to the more reliable horizontal covered paper tray feed system. the first time I printed on the 1200, the paper shot out so fast I was amazed.

BTW, also have an older brother 1240 hooked up to another mac- it's ok. Print quality is more than fine but not outstanding and the speed is just good. It has been a bit buggy though, I have it connected via a USB hub and in order to use it sometimes I have to wake it up from sleep by pressing the front reset button before i send it a print job. could be the hub though and not the brother osx drivers. anyways the hp seems to work either behind a hub or connected directly to the computer. go hp.

[ranga]

Originally posted by Boochie:
Have you looked at the compatibility list on Apple's web site?

Hi,

I have looked at Apple's compatibility list, but reports I have read on this forum and
on the XLR8 forums made me a little wary of buying a printer solely based on Apple's list.

From the replies I've recived so far, it looks like I will most likely buy a HP.

Thanks,

--ranga

[Boochie]

Excellent choice. You won't regret it. I've had my 5MP for about six years now, and it's worked with nary a hitch on each of the four Macs I've owned during that time.

Originally posted by ranga:


Hi,

I have looked at Apple's compatibility list, but reports I have read on this forum and
on the XLR8 forums made me a little wary of buying a printer solely based on Apple's list.

From the replies I've recived so far, it looks like I will most likely buy a HP.

Thanks,

--ranga

[Paul S]

I would also recommend the HP LaserJet 1200 series. They work great.

[oranjdisc]

I picked up a used HP LaserJet 4MP on ebay for about $70 and have printed to it via a parallel / usb Belkin cable ever since 10.0 came out.

Doesn't get any better than that, IMO.

[xanderwilson]

My HP LaserJet 3330 just arrived and it prints great in 10.2, no configuration or anything necessary.

Personally, I won't buy any electronics on ebay (though I have sold electronics on ebay--go figure) because too many people I know have bought items that were in seemingly good condition but it turns out the items were stored in humid environments or were dropped or had other problems that didn't surface for six months or so. But when the problems surface, they turn the item into a doorstop. Not to say that it's common. It's just a risk.

As somebody else pointed out, you probably shouldn't buy a printer just because it's on "Apple's List" but if you want it the list of 10.2 compatible printers is at:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/printers.html

Alex.

[moogatoo]

Hey Ranga,

I have a Samsung ML1210, and recommend it highly. Nice clean text, fast printouts, and it does work with the Print Center in OSX (including Jaguar).

You can access the printer drivers at: http://www.samsungprinter.com
The OSX drivers are not finalized, but in the three months I've had the printer, I have yet to experience any problems. It's really a great printer.

Anyway, happy printing!
- Moogatoo

[escher]

Originally posted by climber:
If you purchase a postscript compatible network printer like the Hp 2200n or 1200n, you will NEVER have to worry about drivers again. These types of printers ALL use the same LaserWriter driver.

climber makes a very valid point. PostScript support will rid you of driver issues forever. A network connection (or option) will also facilitate sharing the printer.

I didn't realize the LaserJet 1200 series supported PostScript. That's really good news for a relatively low-end HP printer.

Personally, I've been tempted to go for one of the very affordable Brother network lasers. But considering how badly I've been burned by Epson, which will probably never release an OS X driver for my EPL-5700i, I am now inclined only to trust the very best of brands, i.e. HP. In addition to PostScript and Ethernet, duplexing is another feature I have been wanting (to save paper and trees).

Right now, I don't want to shell out $1300+ for a 2200dn, so I'm probably going to buy a 2200dse and get the JetDirect network printer server as an upgrade down the road. Besides great long-term support, the modularity and upgradeability of HP printers (from the 2200 series on up) is a major plus in my eyes. Upgrades let you make an initial investment and start printing immediately while giving you a path to acquire more features with additional future investment.

BTW: Does anybody know of a web page that has a good rundown/comparison between the various models in the LaserJet 2200 series? I'm still a bit confused.

Escher

[escher]

Originally posted by escher:
BTW: Does anybody know of a web page that has a good rundown/comparison between the various models in the LaserJet 2200 series? I'm still a bit confused.

I answered my own question: HP's mid-range printers page explains the four models in the 2200 series. What bugs me is that you don't get any price discount (or other incentive) for buying the 2200dn, instead buying of the 2200dse and the JetDirect 610N print server separately.

If only I had the budget for the 2200dtn! I hate having to split up 500 page reams of paper for the 250/300 page paper trays.

Escher

[escher]

FYI: eCost is currently selling the HP LaserJet 2200dn for $1049 with free ground shipping. That's the best price I was able to find anywhere.

Escher

[climber]

I realy like my hp2200n. I think you will be happy with it as well.

Every single printer I have bought that was not postscript laser printer has been a complete waste of money. That includes the original imagewritter, the Stylewritter and my most recent disapointment an Epson photo printer.

Over the years I have bought three postscript laser printers, all of them are still in use today including my personal laserwriter NTR. All were expensive, but have earned back every cent of their cost. Considing its age, that says a lot.