Tried to print something this evening and my free for buying a laptop Dell 720 printer wouldn’t print. Wouldn’t turn on. Zippo. I measured the output voltage at the terminals of the transformer, it is supposed to be 30VDC, it read zero.
I can take a chance on some fly by night outfit and buy a new power cord/transformer for around ten bucks with shipping or I could just go ahead and buy a new printer. There is a dealer on Amazon that is selling the same Dell 720, new, for just $39 including shipping.
Or I could get something else in the $50-60 range, but what? Our printing needs are minimal, an occasional receipt for an internet purchase and the Miata Club Treasurer’s Report once a month. Color is not required at all. Anything fancy I do it at work where I have access to everything from a letter sized color laser to a 36 x 48 ink jet plotter…
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 344
Anything free is what you pay for it..
I’m a believe in Lexmark printers. I’ve had several and have been generally happy. On the occasional time where I want to print something in quality, I choose the appropriate setting and use really good paper. Most times I use “Quick Print” mode and cheap paper.
WalMart sells the cheap printers for about the cost of an ink cartridge. Make sure you know if you’re getting a cartridge or not as they add a lot to the cost. But if you can find a printer with cartridge, you can probably come out cheap.
About 2 years ago, I bought a Brother Laser printer for some high volume stuff (I work out of my home). It’s very fast and cheaper per page than the ink jets. The quality for B&W is excellent. As for color, well it has two colors: B&W. The first toner cartridge lasted a little over a year, the second is still running. The printer was about $89, toner is about $50.
When I did a quick search for a replacement power cord/transformer for the Dell printer it turns out the Dell was manufactured by Lexmark.
Almost bought a Lexmark Z2600(?) for $46, but then looked at the box and it didn’t include ink. Then my wife pointed to a Canon iP2600 for just $30 and it did included both cartridges…