After seven years, my lightly-used HP Deskjet 722C finally died, so I'm looking for a replacement printer. I've narrowed the solution space to color laser versus inkjet, but I could use some help in deciding between those two technologies, and even getting specific model recommendations. (Multifunction printers are out since I never scan or fax from home. In the rare, rare event that I'd need to do something like that, I could run down to Kinko's or something.)
My use cases for printing at home are pretty simple: poetry (B&W text), Mapquest directions (B&W or color), HTML pages (B&W or color), CD case covers (color), and that's about it. I'm not interested in printing digital photos at home -- the quality you get from the commercial dye sublimation places is going to be much better than an inkjet, and I don't print a lot of photos anyway. (Any kind of color output would be fine for printing out emailed photos to hang on the fridge.)
As far as requirements go, there are only a few. I'd prefer to keep the initial cost at $500 or less. (Long-term cost is also somewhat of a factor, but it's driven by the type of technology as far as I know. Replacement ink cartridges are cheaper, but have to be replaced more frequently...toner cartridges are very expensive, but last 4-5K pages.) Network print capability is mandatory, though I don't want to pay extra for built-in wireless capability. The printer will almost certainly be right next to my wireless router, so Ethernet would work fine. Bonjour support is a plus, but not essential. Size is another big factor since my current printer is fairly small and is on a middle shelf on my printer stand so I can put a DVD/games rack on top of the printer stand. I'm not sure exactly where I'd put a very tall and/or wide printer, but I could try to be creative if the best choice has a large footprint. Almost all of the print jobs are fairly small (10 pages or less), so speed is a nice-to-have, but not essential. Sharp text output is critical, both for my writing and my resume.
Any thoughts on whether an inkjet or a color laser is the way to go? If so, are there specific models you'd recommend?
My use cases for printing at home are pretty simple: poetry (B&W text), Mapquest directions (B&W or color), HTML pages (B&W or color), CD case covers (color), and that's about it. I'm not interested in printing digital photos at home -- the quality you get from the commercial dye sublimation places is going to be much better than an inkjet, and I don't print a lot of photos anyway. (Any kind of color output would be fine for printing out emailed photos to hang on the fridge.)
As far as requirements go, there are only a few. I'd prefer to keep the initial cost at $500 or less. (Long-term cost is also somewhat of a factor, but it's driven by the type of technology as far as I know. Replacement ink cartridges are cheaper, but have to be replaced more frequently...toner cartridges are very expensive, but last 4-5K pages.) Network print capability is mandatory, though I don't want to pay extra for built-in wireless capability. The printer will almost certainly be right next to my wireless router, so Ethernet would work fine. Bonjour support is a plus, but not essential. Size is another big factor since my current printer is fairly small and is on a middle shelf on my printer stand so I can put a DVD/games rack on top of the printer stand. I'm not sure exactly where I'd put a very tall and/or wide printer, but I could try to be creative if the best choice has a large footprint. Almost all of the print jobs are fairly small (10 pages or less), so speed is a nice-to-have, but not essential. Sharp text output is critical, both for my writing and my resume.
Any thoughts on whether an inkjet or a color laser is the way to go? If so, are there specific models you'd recommend?