Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

kiskiboy · Feb 20, 2001, 07:37 AM

I recently had to give my trusted and beloved LaserWriter Select 360 to my Dad and need a new Printer. (Gosh do I wish Apple still made printers--that thing was fantastic). Anyway, I want a laserprinter, and would like 1200x1200 dpi. Color would be nice also. I am looking at the Lexmark Optra C-710n. Does anyone have experiences with this or other color lasers? The Lexmark goes for around $2100 and I definitly don't want to go higher than that. I live in an area where there are no dealers of good equipment ( I have a Sears, BestBuy, Staples, and Office Max, none of which has this model or any color lasers.) I was also looking at Tectronix 850n (I think) but it only goes up to 800 dpi. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Marty

kkneisley · Feb 20, 2001, 08:14 AM

I doubt that you will find a higher res color printer for under $2100. just doesn't exist. If you need color, take a good look at the new Epsons. Blew my mind, and I am a picky graphic designer. Even the cheapies are decent.

For a b&w workhorse, look at the HP laserjet 4050 series. This thing rocks, especially with a duplexer and 100 BT.

If you have the $$$, check out HPs color laser. It actually does REAL halftone dots for the color! Unbelievable!

Paul S · Feb 20, 2001, 09:40 AM

I have to agree on the Epson comment. I have a Stylus Photo 870 and have never been so impressed with a color printer. Nothing beats ink jet for photo reproduction and this one is outstanding for that. My suggestion would be to buy a good workhorse B&W like the HP 4050 or a Lexmark 614. You can get the Epson Photo printers now for only about $150. You can do both for under your $2100 limit.

Bear in mind that I don't know your specific color needs, so maybe I'm completely off on this one. It's just what I would do. I hope this helps. If you want to give specifics on what you want to use color for, maybe we can get you better suggestions.

kiskiboy · Feb 20, 2001, 09:46 AM

Well I am just a casual user and really have no need for a color printer but would like to have one anyway. I really like my old Laserrwriter and it was just 600x600 and really liked it, but I would like the increased resolution. I was spoiled by the laser printer and never really like my injet (which to be honest was an OLD Stylewriter II). I have read that color laser printers do not give as good color print quality as inkjets which really boggles my mind. I don't know much about computer technology but it seems to me that any laser should outpreorm an inkjet. So to sum it up I have no "need" to have acolor printer, but just want one so I have it in the future, and the lexmark looks good.

Fredo · Feb 20, 2001, 02:15 PM

I don't mean to be rude, but if you truly are only "a casual user", why on earth would you want to spend over two grand on a printer when there are so many good ones out there for under $500?
I feel like I'm walking into something here, please excuse my ignorance.

I have a sweet HP 900 series inkjet printer I got for less than $300, are lasers really that much better?

kiskiboy · Feb 20, 2001, 10:55 PM

Thanks guys! I went to Staples again and checked out the 4050--great output, great price~$1100. I reminded me of my old Laserwriter which is all I wanted. I breifely had a Xerox Docuprint N17 and frankly it sucked--I returned it. This 4050 rocks. I really appreciate your replies and pointing me to this! After some research on what you said, inkjets are indeed better for color and lasers for text adn since 98% of everything I would want to print is b&W text I feel I made a good choice. I also went ahaed and ordered to duplexer. If I do need color there are good inkjets I can buy later.

As for wanting a laser, like I said that is what I had before and just had become spoiled by it and am tickled to death to be getting this sweeeeeeet printer. THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS!!!!!