# Need a printer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 25, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834 "2008-04-25T13:20:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/1 "2008-04-25T13:20:48Z")

</div>

With a job search upon me, I’ll need a decent printer. Doesn’t have to be a good printer, just good enough to get me through a job search. ☹

Black and white only, reliable, not too pricey. What am I looking for? (Don’t necessarily need brand names, just ideas about features, pricing, etc.)

TIA.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/2 "2008-04-25T13:40:13Z")

</div>

Do you have Freecycle in your area? There always seem to be plenty of printers on my local listings.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/3 "2008-04-25T13:47:10Z")

</div>

We’ve always had HP printers and, despite the occasional problem, have always been very pleased. I even bought stock in the company.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/4 "2008-04-25T14:00:30Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=sandra\_nz]  
Do you have Freecycle in your area? There always seem to be plenty of printers on my local listings.  
[/QUOTE]

Excellent suggestion – I’ll start there.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/5 "2008-04-25T15:04:26Z")

</div>

I’ve been very happy with my HP 1012 - an inexpensive basic laser printer. Never had a problem with it. So, of course they quit making it … looks like the [P1005](http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5432459?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) is the closest current model.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/6 "2008-04-25T16:04:21Z")

</div>

Does your PC have an [older style parallel port printer output](http://www.tigerdirect.com/images/itemdetails/desktop-cables/new-printer-parallel-port.jpg) (large D shaped connector) and USB, or just USB?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/7 "2008-04-25T16:13:49Z")

</div>

I just bought a Brother [HL-2170W](http://www.brother-usa.com/Printer/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=hl2170W)the other day. It is a black and white laserjet printer. It prints text as good as any laser printer I’ve used. The best part is that it is wireless so I can put it anywhere in the house. The normal price is $150 but I picked it up at Best Buy for only $100. You might be able to catch it on sale again online. I’ve seen a few places that still have it for $100.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/8 "2008-04-25T16:28:07Z")

</div>

There is one thing you have to watch out for with a freecycle/ebay/craigslist printer. It will probably need new ink cartridges. These can be real spendy.  
New printers come with cartridges. Now it is true that the cartridges are often not as full as the replacements, if you just need to print a few pages, it might make sense to buy a new inexpensive ink jet printer. If you can buy a new printer complete for $39 and replacement cartridges for a “free” printer are $39 or more, I would go with the new unit.  
Also be aware that some color printers will refuse to print if any of the ink tanks are empty.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-printer/446834/9 "2008-04-25T17:03:24Z")

</div>

I have an HP Laser Jet 1020, which I love because it doesn’t have those stupid cartridges that dry out. IIRC it was \<$100 and it prints just fine. It doesn’t have a wireless feature but that’s ok with me.

I also have a Brother MFC -440CN (got it b/c it has fax capabilities). I dislike it because the ink cartridges dry out and if even ONE is dried out, you can’t so much as fax anything. Stupid machine. Stupid me for getting it.