I'm buying a new Dell computer and the guy said my old HP Laserjet5L printer won't work because the cable doesn't have a usb connector. He said I could either buy a cable adaptor for $30 to continue using my 10 year old printer, or else spend $60 on a brand new compatible Dell 926 Photo Printer.
It sounds like a no-brainer....i.e. buy the new printer, right? But my concern is that my old HP laser printer is (was) a very good printer, whereas I think this new Dell printer is the bottom of the line. But maybe printers are like computers in that even a lousy new one is 10 times better than a great one from 10 years ago??? Is that true?
I've never even printed in color before, but I suppose it would be nice to print photos. Usually I just print documents and I've been very happy with the quality of my 10 year old laser printer.
I guess the bottom line with me is that if the new one can print documents as nicely as the old one, then I might as well get the new printer. Right??
2007-05-25 07:46:22 · 6 answers · asked by Mister_Worm 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Printers
You can buy a parallel to usb adapter for like $10. Do not, I mean do not go for the Dell printer. Dell is the only retailer of their cartridges therefore without competition, they set the price. That means their cartridges are grossly over price, not to mention you have to order them online every time you run out of ink.
You can buy a laser jet cartridge for literally $30 if you get a good refurb. It will print 2000 pages. Or you can buy a Dell cartridge for $30 and it will print 200 at the most.
With regards to documents nothing prints crisper than a laser printer.
Old laser jets are work horses, they are reliable fast and always give a good print. Ink jets are incredibly unreliable by comparison, then streak, smudge fade and dry out.
Stay with the LaserJet!
2007-05-25 11:52:31 · answer #1 · answered by smedrik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both of those printers are for different use of printing. The Dell is for regular everyday color and black prints. The laserjet printer will be alot cheaper for black copies and will yield more. Dell printers are almost as cheap in cost as the ink cartridges themselves. I would stay with your laserjet. If its not broke then dont replace it.
2007-05-25 08:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by tony d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dell can sell you that printer so cheap because they make their money back on the ink refills. Within the software of the Dell printer, it will start reminding you that your ink is getting low to get you to replace the ink cartridge sooner.
Me, I would get the cable, which you can find cheaper if you shop around. If you still want to printer, get it for color stuff. You can run two printers on a single computer.
2007-05-25 07:57:23 · answer #3 · answered by JMKyler3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the LaserJet is a very good printer lots of them are still in use. The Laserjet will cheaper per copy. However if you want to print in color then get the color one. Or just keep both if you got the room.
2007-05-25 09:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by William S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick with the Laserjet, for black and white the quality will be much better. Also the print cost per page of Laser is much less. I use both types of printers you mention, one for photos and LasterJet for everything else.
2007-05-25 07:56:18 · answer #5 · answered by jesse_armstrong303 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like Dell is trying to increase their options sales.
Does the computer you are buying have a parallel port? It should be in the spec list.
If it does, then it will work with your printer.
Edit:
$60 for the printer? It is on their web site for $49
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=222-5573&cs=04&c=us&l=en
Check the reviews. The fact that you have to buy the ink though Dell would concern me.
Reviews:
http://www.justechn.com/reviews/articles/2007/03/02/dell_926_printer.php
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2092594,00.asp
2007-05-25 08:24:33 · answer #6 · answered by Simon T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋