I need a printer that doesnt dry out the ink

Hey guyz , I am sick of spending cash on ink only to have it dry up after printing 5 pages . I dont use a printer that much , only when I need for documents and such which is once a month or so .
Need some suggestions on a new printer that doesnt go dry during infrequent use . I would be willing to spend $500 bucks to alleviate the problem
Can you point me in the right direction ?

 

laser printer? i'm still using a brother 2040 single-function black and white laser printer from my college days.

 

Dont the lazer printers use a toner ? got any links ?
I would jump on the lazer printer if the ink didnt dry up in a week

 

yep, toner cartridges. i rarely print anything after graduating college but it always fires up and prints. i've only replaced the toner cartridge once in almost 9 years of ownership.

i have the now discontinued hl-2040, but it looks like you can pick up the current version for pretty cheap: http://www.staples.com/Brother-HL-2240-Mono-Laser-Printer/product_886402

 

I switched to my Canon D530 laser printer for the specific reason that in the winter the ink on my other printers would dry up or freeze. Yes, they use toner cartridges, but the actual cost is better. I get 1500 pages off a single toner. Couldn't get 250 from a regular print cartridge, and those were $30 each! My toner is $69 for 6 times the print capability, AND it doesn't dry up.

 

Laser all the way!

 

I agree with all of the previous answers. I worked at staples selling computers and printers for about 2 years and noticed pretty quick the advantage of a laser printer. Most of the customers would complain about the cost of ink being as much as their $50 inkjet they bought a month ago. I even had a guy just buy a new cheapo printer every time instead of ink. Yes the toner cost quite a bit more but you are looking at WAY more pages and like the others have said, you don't have to worry about it drying up. It is just a powder so unless it gets moisture in there, it will last forever theoretically. My only concern is if you want to print color. Those are quite a bit more expensive. However, considering your $500 price limit, I think you can just about buy anything.

 

I got a Lexmark laser printer. I am in school so my printer isn't used 4 months of the year when on summer vacation. I think my first toner lasted for up to 5000+ pages or so. Pretty much lasted just about 4 years. Considering that's $200 on toner, for 4 years of printed assignments, study notes etc, is pretty good. Definitely will never go back to ink cartridges.

I got something like this:
http://www.staples.ca/en/Lexmark-MS...inter-with-Duplex/product_164203_2-CA_1_20001

I paid a bit more for it a couple years ago, but it was worth every penny not to deal with shit breaking when in a rush or just need it.

My Parents also have a similar one from way back, and its still going strong. its probably 8-9 years old now.

 

Thanks for the heads up guyz .
Doing some reviews on lazer printers as I type this .
I will admit there are thousands to choose from .
Not concerned about colour but would prefer something reliable .
$500 bucks goes a long way ...I thought they were more expensive .
I suppose one of the all in one units would work just fine for my needs as long as it has wireless . I have 8 computers in the house and 2 in the garage . Seems like a lot of computers for just myself and the better half hehehe

 

My cannon laser only cost me $129 brand new from Egghead.

 

I bought a cheap epson 300 has 4 cartridges. I thought if the colors ran out I would have the option to print in black only.Nope one color ran out so it wouldn't even let the little woman print out her sudoku in black, After I replaced the cyan cartridge the printer would just spit the page out with no ink. The black cartridge dried up so I had to use the clean nozzle option which in turn ran the magenta really low. They got you by the shorty's thats for sure.

 

Same one I have had for many years and only got new toner once because they don't give you a full toner when you buy it. If they did I'm sure I would still never had to refill it. Great little cheap printer!

OP for $500 these days you can get a printer that's plotting arch size D paper (24" x 36") LOL.

 

HP is more expensive if you go the "good" printers but generally speaking you can get a good laser well under $200.

my mother has a several year old HL-2270DW (B&W, wireless and duplex, that's 2-sided printing) and she prints a fair amount during tax season but it sits idle most of the time. she has replaced maybe 2-3 toners at most and I found them online for $30 a pop re-manufactured.

 

Go laser for sure.

I bought a small samsung laser years ago for just the same reasons and frequency of use you have. Still going strong. At the time I think it was about $130. Once I went through the starter cartridge, got a refilled one from a local shop that does that for half the cost of a brand new one... and I'm still using it years later. I don't print much.

 

they shouldnt dry out in only a couple weeks