Windows 7: Do laser printers have the same ink issues as inkjet printers?

BomberAF · 10 Jan 2011

I currently have an inkjet printer and although I am happy with the quality of the printing one thing really annoys me about it.

I very hardly ever use my printer so the ink always drys and needs a deep clean before it will work again. This means that I can use my printers 4 times before I need to buy new cartridges for my printer and as we all know ink is very expensive.

What I was therefore wondering was do laser printers suffer from the same problem of the ink drying out if you don't use them regularly enough or does the ink always stay clear on them.

All your thoughts and opinions as always appreciated.

Regards

AF

mickey megabyte · 10 Jan 2011

laser printers don't use ink - they use toner, which is already a dry powder, so it can't dry out any more - if anything, it could get damp, and clump together, but i've never experienced this.

trouble is that laser printers are more expensive than inkjets.

mlevy · 10 Jan 2011

Short answer: NO

Long answer: The toner in a laser printer is a powder that is placed on the paper using an electrostatic charge, it is then bonded to the paper using the heat from the fuser assembly.

DocBrown · 10 Jan 2011

I have several Black & white Laser printers at work, since not needing color all the time.

I get 17k pages out of 1 laser cartridge.

ignatzatsonic · 10 Jan 2011

No.

I went through the same situation as you did on inkjets.

I changed to a $70 Brother black and white laser 4 years ago with no regrets.

I am still on the original toner and print maybe once a month.

Stats I have seen say shelf life on laser toner is at least 5 years and probably longer.

Get off the inkjet train.

Sardonicus · 10 Jan 2011

I have an HP LaserJet 1020 monochrome printer. I have to shake the cartridge about once or twice a year, when it seems the ink is low. I've had it for almost 2 years and haven't spent any money on a new cartridge yet. For the money you'll spend on an inkjet, it's almost worth it to get a laserjet printer for just the monochrome printing.

pparks1 · 10 Jan 2011

I've used laser printers at home for nearly 10 years now. I'm now on my second physical printer. I went through 3 toners on the first printer....which my wife used when she was self employed.

My newer Laser printer is a Samsung ML-2510 and I'm still on the starter cartridge. Which is only about 1/4 full when brand new...but I only paid like $40 for the device at Office Max. My printer is well over 1 year old at this point. The lower toner light is on...but I haven't run out yet.

I only use inkjets for printing color photos...and I do this rarely.

Frank1 · 10 Jan 2011

I agree with everything said about laser printers. But if want to keep your ink cartridges from getting clogged, you can print just a little bit--maybe only a word or two--every couple of days. I think this would keep them from getting clogged.

whs · 10 Jan 2011

There is one problem with laser printers that most people are not aware of - the powder it uses can be highly toxic (some makes more than others). It is not recommended to keep laser printers in rooms where you live.

linnemeyerhere · 10 Jan 2011

I still use my HP LaserJet 4, it was only 1,400usd in the late '80's. Can't kill the thing !

Windows 7: Do laser printers have the same ink issues as inkjet printers?

Do laser printers have the same ink issues as inkjet printers? problems?