# Life expectancy of HP LaserJets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 27, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-expectancy-of-hp-laserjets/261850 "2004-08-27T21:42:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-expectancy-of-hp-laserjets/261850/21 "2004-08-30T19:26:01Z")
Picking through the static, I’ve got a question or two - I thought the drum was part of the toner cartridges? If it isn’t, what’s the greenish cylinder in the cartridge? My printer is a 4000-series. Think it’s a 4050dtn, to be precise. Not sure where all the discussion of inkjets and LJ4s came in. Sounds like my printer will either be eavesdropping on my messages here and die tomorrow, just to spite me, or it will run forever, again, just to spite me. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-expectancy-of-hp-laserjets/261850/22 "2004-08-30T21:10:31Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Picking through the static, I’ve got a question or two - > > I thought the drum was part of the toner cartridges? If it isn’t, what’s the greenish cylinder in the cartridge? > > My printer is a 4000-series. Think it’s a 4050dtn, to be precise. Not sure where all the discussion of inkjets and LJ4s came in. > > Sounds like my printer will either be eavesdropping on my messages here and die tomorrow, just to spite me, or it will run forever, again, just to spite me. Most HP Laserjet monchrome cartridges contain the drum and toner in one assembly. It costs more on a replacement basis than just a toner cart, but you always are assured of fresh drum. Typcially a drum will often last 2-4X longer than the toner supply, which is why refilling HP toner carts is a big business. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-expectancy-of-hp-laserjets/261850.md?page=1)