We're after a small printer for use on our boat, doesn't have to be battery powered or anything like that, mains power is available. The main criterion is that it should be as small as possible because space is at a premium, I think also laser is preferable to inkjet because it will spend quite long periods idle.
So, any recommendations, obviously we want it to be Linux compatible as well, but that's about it - compact, laser, linux compatible.
Size doesn't seem to be an important criterion any more when searching for printers so it's difficult to find particularly compact ones.
<< So, any recommendations, obviously we want it to be Linux compatible as well, but that's about it - compact, laser, linux compatible.>>
One of these.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF25a/18972-18972-3328059-3328066-33...
Definitely Linux friendly and compact. Imo, HP Laser printers are the cat's pyjamas but ymmv.
Bev.
On 18/02/11 17:15, Bev Nicolson wrote:
<< So, any recommendations, obviously we want it to be Linux compatible as well, but that's about it - compact, laser, linux compatible.>>
One of these.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF25a/18972-18972-3328059-3328066-33...
Definitely Linux friendly and compact. Imo, HP Laser printers are the cat's pyjamas but ymmv.
My mileage does vary because I hate the small HP printers, the low end ones use nasty foil belt fusers which die frequently and write the printer off and I think last time I looked they worked out more expensive per page than anything else.
Oh and not that it matters here but never ever use the CD to install an HP printer on Windows...1GB of crudware for a printer...thanks HP, even the "minimal" installer tends to have a nice collection of software to take over the perfectly functional print spooler, provide links to buy consumables from your taskbar and nag you frequently for not giving HP marketing your contact details.
I'd say Brother probably make the best small lasers, Samsung also make some nice ones..both of which tend to work out cheaper per page than HP and AFAIK they are all Linux friendly
On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 11:40:26PM +0000, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
I'd say Brother probably make the best small lasers, Samsung also make some nice ones..both of which tend to work out cheaper per page than HP and AFAIK they are all Linux friendly
My little Samsung laser was purchased 8 years ago and still works lovely (well, ish, it could do with a new toner now as this one has been refilled too many times). Anyhow, it has been great in that period of time and Samsung have been printing tux on the box for years. Just check if they are refillable or not as they changed toner types a few years ago and you may have difficulties if you want to refill (apparently).
Adam
On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 11:40:26PM +0000, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
I'd say Brother probably make the best small lasers, Samsung also make some nice ones..both of which tend to work out cheaper per page than HP and AFAIK they are all Linux friendly
You have to be careful, as some of the Brothers that have Linux drivers only have binary drivers. They work, but it's a fragile situation. I have an HL-3040CN and while the hardware is nice the drivers are a PITA.
http://www.openprinting.org/printers/
is worth checking to see how well a printer is supported.
J.
On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 04:48:18PM -0800, Jonathan McDowell wrote:
On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 11:40:26PM +0000, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
I'd say Brother probably make the best small lasers, Samsung also make some nice ones..both of which tend to work out cheaper per page than HP and AFAIK they are all Linux friendly
You have to be careful, as some of the Brothers that have Linux drivers only have binary drivers. They work, but it's a fragile situation. I have an HL-3040CN and while the hardware is nice the drivers are a PITA.
http://www.openprinting.org/printers/
is worth checking to see how well a printer is supported.
Thanks for all the ideas folks.
I agree about the bloated HP software on Windows, I have an HP7310 All-in-one for Home/Office use and the Windows software is a total disaster.
The Linux software for HP printers is usually OK though, the problem is that we probably need Windows as well (running XP in a VirtualBox guest) and I'd really like to avoid the time I've wasted with the 7310 drivers in Windows.
It looks as if Samsung may be the way to go, the ML-1665/ML-1865 series are certainly compact (claims to be the smallest laser printer).
On Sat, Feb 19, 2011 at 10:09:02AM +0000, Chris G wrote:
It looks as if Samsung may be the way to go, the ML-1665/ML-1865 series are certainly compact (claims to be the smallest laser printer).
Please report back if you get one, my Sammy could really do with a new genuine toner as the one installed at the moment is the original that shipped with the printer and has been refilled several times and could do with replacement... Just a new toner cart is £60 so I don't know if I'm better off stumping up the dosh to replace the toner or buying a new printer for the same money.
Adam
On Sat, Feb 19, 2011 at 10:28:30AM +0000, Adam Bower wrote:
On Sat, Feb 19, 2011 at 10:09:02AM +0000, Chris G wrote:
It looks as if Samsung may be the way to go, the ML-1665/ML-1865 series are certainly compact (claims to be the smallest laser printer).
Please report back if you get one, my Sammy could really do with a new genuine toner as the one installed at the moment is the original that shipped with the printer and has been refilled several times and could do with replacement... Just a new toner cart is £60 so I don't know if I'm better off stumping up the dosh to replace the toner or buying a new printer for the same money.
OK, will do (if I remember!).
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Adam Bower -
Bev Nicolson -
Chris G -
Jonathan McDowell -
Wayne Stallwood