Looking for B/W laser printer recommendation

[frankvw]

Hi everyone,
My old laser printer has gone to that great scrap heap in the sky, so I'm looking for a replacement. My needs are simple: SoHo B/W laser printer, not multi-function (i.e. no scanner or fax); preferably not too slow but I don't need it to be screamingly fast, either; single sided printing, no document feeder, WiFi would be nice but USB will do if it has to.

Main selection criteria: decent quality, decent support on both Ubuntu Linux and Windows 10, and reasonably priced toner cartridges to keep the cost per page manageable. (Trying to avoid the cheap printer with dreadfully expensive consumables racket here.)

All experience-based suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

// FvW

 

[AirWolf]

Brother HL-L2365DW
Not the bottom end and it does double sided printing (though you said you didn't want that).
Got them from Takealot for our office for R2899.

Toner TN2355 are around R200 for compatible.

Printer has a nice cube design. Does have wifi printing though I've never tried - all 3 of ours are cabled.

Comes with a 5 year on-site warranty.

No idea on the Linux support...

 

[rh1]

I got this, when its finished, will toss amd buy a new one, I have it for more than a year, occasional use. Refet to next post for link

 

[rh1]

Struggling to edit my post on tje phone, better link:

Pantum P2200 20PPM A4 Mono Single Function Printer With 700page Starter Cartridge | Laser Printers | Laser Printers | Laser Printers | Printers & Scanners | Electronics & Computers | Makro Online Site

Pantum P2200 Monochrome A4 Laser Printer - Print Speed Monochrome Up to 21 ppm, Max Resolution 1200 x 1200 dpi, Processor: 600 MHz, 64MB Ram Installed, Paper input capacity: 150 pages, High-speed USB 2.0 Connectivity, Windows and mac compatible, 700 page starter cartridge Included, Retail Box ...

www.makro.co.za

 

[rh1]

Brother HL-L2365DW
Not the bottom end and it does double sided printing (though you said you didn't want that).
Got them from Takealot for our office for R2899.

Toner TN2355 are around R200 for compatible.

Printer has a nice cube design. Does have wifi printing though I've never tried - all 3 of ours are cabled.

Comes with a 5 year on-site warranty.

No idea on the Linux support...

I see initial amount of pages yield is also 700 pages. Source:https://support.brother.com/g/b/spec.aspx?c=za&lang=en&prod=hll2365dw_eu_as.
I am assuming you are talking about non-original replacement toner? How much yield do you get? Just curious.

@OP: If you only going to print occassionally, my route would be cheaper. I.e R550 @700 pagesx6 replacements = R3300 vs brother with 1 refill @ R3100
For an office environment, I would go for the brother, but for occasional use the Pantum is sufficient for my needs and I have not replaced it as yet. It is a basic printer. Have not tested it on linux, will try later today.

 

[rh1]

Just spoke to the wife about her brother hl2130, which is a basic b&w printer. She said the toner was about R400-R500 and it last quite long. But she now uses the pantum (mine) as it is much smaller, so it is easier to take out and to store it after use. We dont have a dedicated desk.

 

[B-1]

Also happy with my brother printers. Got a laser and an ink tank they are both cheap and cheerful.

 

[frankvw]

Hi, everyone,
Thanks for the suggestions. Brother is definitely on the shortlist! Yes, all brands come with a "starter toner" cartridge that is half full at best (ink jet printer manufacturers do it too) which tells you where their profits actually come from, but that's how it works.

 

[frankvw]

Brother HL-L2365DW
Not the bottom end and it does double sided printing (though you said you didn't want that).
Got them from Takealot for our office for R2899.

Saw it, liked it, ordering it.

Toner TN2355 are around R200 for compatible.

Do those compatible toner cartridges have a chip to keep track of toner consumption just like the "branded" ones?

No idea on the Linux support...

Sorted: https://tutorialforlinux.com/2018/0...ver-ubuntu-18-04-how-to-download-and-install/

I thank you, sir!

 

[AirWolf]

Saw it, liked it, ordering it.


Do those compatible toner cartridges have a chip to keep track of toner consumption just like the "branded" ones?


Sorted: https://tutorialforlinux.com/2018/0...ver-ubuntu-18-04-how-to-download-and-install/

I thank you, sir!

You're welcome

Not sure if the compatible has a chip - will check the ones I have at the office on Monday.

The printer does have a tiny LCD display that has a counter in the menu.

 

[AirWolf]

Original and compatible both don't have a chip.
Machine picks up compatible toner level fine.

Got 2375 prints from first machine that finished the toner that came with.

Drum unit shows 81% - so new drum every 5 toners.
Compatible drum = ~R400

Toner - TN2355
Drum - DR2305

 

[frankvw]

The Bother HL-L2365DW printer has arrived, and I agree with all the recommendations. Thank you!! You guys rock.

 

[frankvw]

Update: Linux support for the Bother HL-L2365DW is 100% perfect. I connected the printer to our network (using the wired interface since it is standing next to the ADSL router anyway and that saved me mucking around with the printer's WiFi settings and then I sat down to face the possibly arduous task of getting the printer to work under Linux. (I'm running Ubuntu 18.04.) Much to my amazement I found that the printer had already been detected, installed using a generic driver, and printed the test page at the first try, 100% accurate. All I had to do was select the printer as my default printer. That's literally t.

So yes, this is a great printer and I'm grateful for the advice I got here!!

 

[AirWolf]

Toners: https://www.takealot.com/brother-tn2355-tn-2355-2355-compatible-black-toner/PLID54537176
Drums: https://www.takealot.com/brother-dr2305-dr630-dr2300-dr2355-dr2325-drum-unit-compatible/PLID45196467

Both work well.