best color laser for under $700

[bazookaman]

finally got the boss to agree on a limit. $700. He's using some okidata at the other office that he just loves. I've used xerox for several years (but more expensive versions). Just wondering if either one makes a good sub $700 printer. I mean I know they do, but would like to hear any experiences with them. Or if anyone can recommend another. We want 4 toner carts and for drums which I assume most printers in that range would use. A good amount of ram would be good as well as full duplex. Only looking for letter size (obviously with this price range).

[onthedownlow]

OKI lasers are rock-solid and workhorses - check anything in the 5000 series (5300, etc.) - they sometimes just are looked over because of aesthetic reasons (they still put out some beige printers).

...since you like Xerox...check out the Phaser 8560dn (solid ink! yay)...I picked several up earlier this year for $499 a piece...now they seem to hover anywhere from $500-$700.

I have one right next to me on my desk...love it. Duplexing is great, when needed...all very fast. Oh, and I did just purchase solid ink to fill it all up for a grand total of ~$150 - yielding anywhere from 3,000-5,000 color prints (~7,000 black).

Here, just did a quick search to show you just how cheap these consumables can be (non-Xerox branded though...but even those are reasonably priced compared to traditional toner): http://www.inktechnologies.com/xerox-pha...idges.html

[bazookaman]

I was thinking along the lines of a xerox. but i didn't really want the solid ink technology. My experience has been the opposite of yours. However, I was beginning to lean towards the oki. I think it was the 5650? I'd have to look it up again. But it seemed like a good balance of speed, quality as well as consumable price. And it will be in a storage room so I won't be affected by the horrid aesthetics.

[Paul F.]

I reallly like the Oki C5800L at work....

They were AWFULLY slow to get 10.5 compatible drivers done, but they have 'em now, and it's back to working fine.

Don't know what the price is...
Be aware that if you need a FULL SET of toners at the same time, it'll cause a wince or orifice pucker, but not as bad as some printer models.

[WHiiP]

Paul F. wrote:
Be aware that if you need a FULL SET of toners at the same time, it'll cause a wince or orifice pucker, but not as bad as some printer models.

Please remember that Forum rules prohibit the posting of any actual "orifi (plural) puckering" . . . wincing, however, is still OK.


:mullet: