Thoughts on a color laser printer?

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the pros and cons of a color laser printer.  We have always had inkjet printers, and more often than we would like, the ink is either clogged or dried out.  We deep clean and continue, only to have it happen again.  And then at some point, the print head malfunctions and we just have to buy a new printer.  So we are thinking about buying a color laser printer.  I am assuming that this would solve the drying out and clogging problems, but are there other problems that are common with laser printers?  Sometimes our printer can sit for awhile without being used (which we know is why our ink keeps drying out).  Will sitting unused affect a laser printer?

I just bought a color laser for exactly those reasons re the problems with ink jets.

From what I've read, because of the completely different way they print, infrequent use shouldn't affect color lasers. No print heads to clog - no liquid ink to dry up.

FWIW this is what I bought

I’ve had an HP color laser for several years. Real work horse - times I need to print lots for work. But it can be sporadic. I’d highly recommend it, and the scanner is terrific.  That said, mine takes 4 cartridges (black, blue, yellow, red).... they’re expensive!

peteglider said:

I’ve had an HP color laser for several years. Real work horse - times I need to print lots for work. But it can be sporadic. I’d highly recommend it, and the scanner is terrific.  That said, mine takes 4 cartridges (black, blue, yellow, red).... they’re expensive!

 This has been my experience, though generic cartridges are much, much less expensive and work fine.

One caveat on lasers, though, is that photo printing quality is significantly lower than with ink jet.  For document and graphic work they are better, but if you want to print photos you really need a good ink jet.

max_weisenfeld said:

peteglider said:

I’ve had an HP color laser for several years. Real work horse - times I need to print lots for work. But it can be sporadic. I’d highly recommend it, and the scanner is terrific.  That said, mine takes 4 cartridges (black, blue, yellow, red).... they’re expensive!

 This has been my experience, though generic cartridges are much, much less expensive and work fine.

One caveat on lasers, though, is that photo printing quality is significantly lower than with ink jet.  For document and graphic work they are better, but if you want to print photos you really need a good ink jet.

 This is true.

max_weisenfeld said:

 This has been my experience, though generic cartridges are much, much less expensive and work fine.

One caveat on lasers, though, is that photo printing quality is significantly lower than with ink jet.  For document and graphic work they are better, but if you want to print photos you really need a good ink jet.

 Max:  How/where do you get generic cartridges?  I've had an HP Envy for ages now & it is a real workhorse.  But whenever I try to cut costs on ink and buy ones that say they're compatible with my HP 63's, I've gotten stuck with cartridges that don't fit, or that my printer rejects.  I'd love to find a way to spend less on ink -- it DOES take a bite out of my budget.  TIA.

Which do you think is more expensive per copy -- laser printer or ink jet?  I had always assumed that laser printers were cheaper in the long run, but maybe I am mistaken.

I just bought a HP color laser to use to make labels.  Some come out great, some not so much.  BUT water does no ruin the labels like with an inkjet printer.  I really wanted one with 2 feeder trays but the cost would go up to much.  I am happy with it, and it will print about 2500 sheets before needing new cartridges

Juniemoon said:

max_weisenfeld said:

 This has been my experience, though generic cartridges are much, much less expensive and work fine.

One caveat on lasers, though, is that photo printing quality is significantly lower than with ink jet.  For document and graphic work they are better, but if you want to print photos you really need a good ink jet.

 Max:  How/where do you get generic cartridges?  I've had an HP Envy for ages now & it is a real workhorse.  But whenever I try to cut costs on ink and buy ones that say they're compatible with my HP 63's, I've gotten stuck with cartridges that don't fit, or that my printer rejects.  I'd love to find a way to spend less on ink -- it DOES take a bite out of my budget.  TIA.

 I've been buying these for my HP M277: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D2BQZNY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RichardR said:

Which do you think is more expensive per copy -- laser printer or ink jet?  I had always assumed that laser printers were cheaper in the long run, but maybe I am mistaken.

 Laser printers are cheaper in the long run.  The cartridges are expensive but last much longer than ink jet

max_weisenfeld said:

 Laser printers are cheaper in the long run.  The cartridges are expensive but last much longer than ink jet

 I think there is a caveat to this, but I truly don't want to start an argument.   I think if you buy aftermarket ink the cost per page of an inkjet tumbles.  I've been using them for my Brother for 5 years.  But again, I'm not going to argue, especially with Max.  I don't need even more snow to shovel.