[OS X TeX] Re: OT: Printer Just Died!

[Herbert Schulz]

On Sep 30, 2006, at 12:07 AM, david craig wrote:

>
> FWIW, as I've been eyeing my 13-year-old HP LaserJet 4ML chug  
> slowly away into the sunset, I've kept my eye on the printers that  
> folks whose needs line up pretty well with my own seem happy with.   
> (Source include groups like mac-l, iomug, oztex, this list, and so  
> on.)
>
> *MY* needs are a B&W postscript laser printer with minimum 600 dpi  
> resolution, ethernet-networkable, preferably built-in duplex.
>
> I've been strongly inclined toward replacing the HP with an HP,  
> since mine and the numerous others I've worked with in professional  
> environments have seemed near invulnerable in high-volume printing  
> environments.  However, as far as I can tell from the above- 
> mentioned sources, HP quality control went through a rocky patch a  
> few years ago, and I really don't know whether it has recovered to  
> its former greatness.  I admit I've read enough grousing that I've  
> become wary of consumer HP lasers. I *DO* know that in a couple of  
> years worth of watching [that 4ML just wouldn't die!], while other  
> printers have received positive reviews, the one name that has come  
> up over and over again with overwhelmingly positive reviews among  
> users with similar needs to mine has been Brother.  So much so that  
> when my little 4ML *finally* kicked up its litte rollers this past  
> weekend, when I walked into the store and saw a Brother 5250DN  
> sitting there I didn't hesitate to pick it up and walk to the  
> register. 1200 dpi, 30 ppm, built-in duplex, built-in ethernet and  
> USB ports, 32 MB built-in [upgradeable to 544], postscript  
> [emulated, but I've not found that to be an issue with anyone I've  
> asked] -- all for a little over $200.
>
> Of course, I can't yet speak to the reliability issue based on any  
> personal experience.  Time will tell...
>
> David Craig
>

Howdy,

I finally got my list down to the HP 1320n and the Brother HL-5250DN.  
Given that there is 1/2 the price and the toner cartridges are also  
considerably cheaper (per page printed) the Brother has won out.

I had to add the driver from the CD and also did an update to it from  
the net. Setting up was fairly trivial because of built-in zero  
config (Bonjour).

So far it's been quite wonderful---but it's been a very short run.  
I'm running it at 600dpi and it's very fast. Watching it gobble up  
the paper and then spit it out when doing duplex is rather amusing.  
It's a bit noisier and considerably taller than my old Personal  
LaserWriter 320 but not too much so.

Good Luck,

Herb Schulz
(herbs at wideopenwest.com)


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