Black and White Laser Printers

Are you thinking about black and white laser printers (i.e. monochrome laser printers) for straight forward black and white printing from a computer or mobile device?

Many people choose laser printers.

These printers give the best quality print, print quickly, are robust, quiet and handle large of volumes of print.

Entry level laser printers for personal users are quite cheap.

And the more powerful laser printers are good value too!

Several well known manufacturers such as HP, Dell, Brother, Canon and Samsung make excellent black and white laser printers that may suit your needs.

But first - are you sure black and white laser printers are for you and not color?

Color printing is useful if image is important.

For example, a colored brochure or flier gives a better image of an organisation (such as a real estate agent) and may increase business as a result.

But a color printer is not as cheap as a black and white printer, is bigger and heavier, and prints more slowly.

If you do not have a need for color printing, then do not buy a color printer.

The black and white laser printer is cheaper, simpler, smaller and lighter.

Use a black and white laser printer if black and white printing is all you want to do!

If you have an occasional need for color printing - then consider doing what I have done - have a black and white printer and a color printer.

For the total cost of about $300 I have two HP Laser Jet Printers - one black and white (for most of my printing), and one color (for charts, flyers, photographs).

To choose the best black and white laser printer for you, consider which is most important to you - cost, features or brand.

• Cost
• Additional Features - All in One Wireless
• Brand
  • HP
  • Dell
  • Brother
  • Samsung
  • Lexmark
  • Canon
• Other manufacturers such as Fuji Xerox and Ricoh make laser printers. Worth a look sometimes!

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Cheap Black and White Laser Printers

Is cost your main concern?

If so, look at cheap laser printers under $200. You can even buy them for under $100.

For this price you will get a laser printer that:

• prints at about 20 pages per minute (maybe a little more or less)
• holds about 150 sheets of paper in the input tray
• holds about 100 sheets of paper in the output tray
• may print on both sides (duplex printing) but is manual - you have to turn the paper over
• has a recommended monthly usage of around 1,500 pages
• meant for a single user though wireless models can cope with multiple users

There are several cheap laser printers available for personal users from reputable companies like HP and Brother.

Pay more and you will have a laser printer that:

• prints faster e.g. 30, 40, 50 or more ppm
• holds more paper in the input trays e.g. 300, 400, 500 or more
• holds more paper in the output tray e.g. 200 or more
• prints automatically on both sides of the paper
• enables more users to use the printer at the same time

My advice - don't be seduced by the extra power!

Work out what you need and buy accordingly.

Some of the best home printers are cheap laser printers made by well known manufacturers such as HP and Brother.

However sometimes more powerful laser printers are needed.

For example, a computer teacher with a class of many students needs a fast laser printer in the computer room because many students may print at the same time.

Or an office with many staff printing to the same laser printer need a faster laser printer.

Not so cheap Black and White Laser Printers (but still good value!)

For between $200 and $300 you will get a laser printer that:

• prints at about 35 pages per minute (maybe a little more or less)
• holds about 300 sheets of paper in the input tray
• holds about 150 sheets of paper in the output tray
• automatically prints on both sides of the paper (duplex printing)
• has a recommended monthly usage of up to 3,000 pages
• has multiuser capabilities i.e. lots of people printing to that printer
• may have additional features such as photocopying, scanning, faxing

For between $300 and $400 you will get a laser printer that:

• prints at about 40 pages per minute (maybe a little more or less)
• holds about 1,500 sheets of paper in the input tray
• can have multiple trays
• holds about 500 sheets of paper in the output tray
• automatically prints on both sides of the paper (duplex printing)
• has a recommended monthly usage of up to 5,000 pages
• has multiuser capabilities i.e. lots of people printing to that printer
• may have additional features such as photocopying, scanning, faxing
• may have 'walk up printing" - you insert a USB device with a file in the printer. The printer does not have to be connected to a computer.

The laser printers get faster and more powerful as you spend more!

Larger businesses that have many people using the same printer (e.g. a busy central office or a college computing area) and/or have significant print volumes (e.g. bank printing customer statements) need fast powerful laser printers (e.g. 60 pages per minute, thousands of sheets of paper in multiple trays, automatic duplexing).

Such organisations spend several hundreds or even thousands of dollars on fast powerful laser printers.

Have a look at business laser printers if you are considering a laser printer for your business.

However, many people and small businesses spend a few hundred dollars (and sometimes less than $100!) on black and white laser printers which satisfy their printing needs.

All in One Laser Printers

Being able to photocopy and scan documents is useful to many people.

For example, I had to send a signed document overseas so I printed the form (on my laser printer), signed it, scanned it and emailed it. Easy!

You can buy an All in One Black and White Laser Printer for between $200 and $300 (and prices are coming down - I have seen some for less than $200).

Wireless Laser Printers

Wireless technology has boomed in recent years and printers are no exception.

What are the advantages of wireless printing?

There is no physical cable from your computer to the printer so less clutter on your desk.

You can print from a distance because your computer is not physically connected to the printer.

You can move your laptop from from place to place and still be able to print.

In fact, using the Internet, you can print from anywhere in the world!

What are the disadvantages of wireless printing?

It takes a little longer to print because data moves more quickly along a physical cable than through the air, walls and windows.

BUT, it is still pretty quick so it is not a problem for most people.

HP Laser Jet Printers

It can be confusing when looking at printers to buy. HP printers are a good starting point.

Hewlett Packard (HP) have a significant portion of the world market especially for personal users and small and medium sized businesses.

I have two - an HP Laser Jet 6l which served me well for many years, and a HP Laser Jet P1102W which is my current personal laser printer.

I have found them reliable and good value for money.

HP computer printers are popular amongst home and business users. Have a look for your laser printer needs!

And it is possible to buy a cheap Laser Jet printer for about $100.

Dell Printers

Reviews for Dell printers have been positive.

Dell Black and White Laser Printers range from about $150 suitable for the personal user through to about $1,250 for a large multiuser printer.

Dell is well known for their online store. Easy to buy and delivered to your door.

Brother Printers

Brother Industries is a well established Japanese maker who has an extensive range of printers for computers.

Brother Black and white Laser Printers are priced from about $170 (personal user) through to $1,300 for a networked multiuser printer.

But once again prices are coming down!

Keep your eyes out for specials. I bought an entry level Brother HL-2130 laser printer on special for less than $50!

Cheap Brother laser printers are available if you shop around!

Samsung Printers

Samsung is a giant South Korean high tech company that has established a big presence in the printer market.

Samsung has one of the cheapest black and white lasers at about $130. Check out the range.

Once again - look out for specials. I have seen them for under $100.

Lexmark Printers

Lexmark was formed from a buyout of IBM printer products in the early 1990s. It is totally dedicated to making printing products.

Their cheapest printer is a little more expensive at just under $200 - however it has automatic duplexing and a faster print speed.

Canon Printers

Canon is a giant Japanese high tech company that produces consumer electronic goods such as cameras but is also a well respected manufacturer of office products such as photo-copiers and computer printers.

Indeed, Canon has supplied laser printer components to several other manufacturers.

The cheapest Canon black and white laser printer is about $150 - suitable for a home user or small office.

Best Laser Printers for Sale

The best laser printers for sale are new laser printers that do the printing that you require (no more - no less!), reliably, quickly and of good quality.

And of course - the best price so you get value for money!

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