From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Tue Sep 21 15:54:26 2010 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 608201065675 for ; Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:54:26 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from freebsd@edvax.de) Received: from mx02.qsc.de (mx02.qsc.de [213.148.130.14]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 200BB8FC15 for ; Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:54:25 +0000 (UTC) Received: from r55.edvax.de (port-92-195-157-147.dynamic.qsc.de [92.195.157.147]) by mx02.qsc.de (Postfix) with ESMTP id F3A991ED2E; Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:54:24 +0200 (CEST) Received: from r55.edvax.de (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by r55.edvax.de (8.14.2/8.14.2) with SMTP id o8LFsOZL001523; Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:54:24 +0200 (CEST) (envelope-from freebsd@edvax.de) Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:54:24 +0200 From: Polytropon To: FreeBSD Message-Id: <20100921175424.1fcf9a58.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <20100921085858.111b004f@scorpio> References: <201009201716.o8KHGpxf013791@mail.r-bonomi.com> <20100921073722.49d49e98@scorpio> <4C98A210.4050106@stillbilde.net> <20100921085858.111b004f@scorpio> Organization: EDVAX X-Mailer: Sylpheed 2.4.7 (GTK+ 2.12.1; i386-portbld-freebsd7.0) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Cc: Jerry Subject: Re: The nightmarish problem of installing a printer X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list Reply-To: Polytropon List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:54:26 -0000 On Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:58:58 -0400, Jerry wrote: > The cheapest multi-function laser recommended by you is the Phaser > 6128MFP, an obviously loss-loser. The next version is $1500. I can buy > a lot of ink for that. I agree that a laser printer is fine for a > business environment; however, it would be total over-kill, and a gross > waste of money, to install one in my home. This depends on what you're printing at home. If you mostly use it for B/W text and graphics, buying a used (!) office-class laser printer is cheaper than buying some ink-pee home consumer device. Keep in mind that you can *not use* the laser printer for some time without problems, but if you *not use* an ink-pee printer for some time, it will dry out the ink and maybe damage the printing heads (if separate), or even let the ink flow through the printer. I have seen that already - very unpleasant. Instead, office-class laser printers are more efficient in use of good refurbished toner cartridges. I'm using a HP Laserjet 4 for example as a "copying center" (low-end computer, parallel scanner, parallel printer). The last time I bought a toner cartridge was in 2004, and right now, it's starting to fade. I'm using this system VERY often. The printer itself is more than 15 years in my hands now, and I HEAVILY used it. You simply can't break good printers. But if you require photo-printing, maybe on specific papers, or you need a device for making colored copies, using a typical home consumer device is often the better solution. When I need digital photos printed out, I take the data to the drugstore as they can do much better (and water-resistant!) than ink-pee. A TODAY's office-class laser printer surely looks like overkill for a home setting, I agree here. But keep in mind used ones are also good - IF they are good. :-) -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...