Help me find a monochrome laser printer

[elegantlion]

I know a brother one was discussed a few months ago, but I'm looking at  either the HL-L2380DW or the Canon Imageclass MF212w. 

 

The features I need are: 

 

• wireless (wifi mostly)
• ability to print duplex, but not automatic
• flat bed tray for copying & scanning - I don't need the automatic feeder for copying, but I'm okay with it
• printed text has to be pretty crisp. I use this mainly for papers for school
• price - I'd like it to be under $160 for the copier
• price - toner refills not super pricey. It looks like the Canon printer toner is $80 while the Brother is $50 (both high yield). Can you use generics successfully? 

 

Also, ds runs Linux on his main computer. I know drivers probably aren't included for that, but are they readily available online? I'd ask ds but he's still asleep. 

 

Thanks. 

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

We have one very similar to this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=768511&gclid=Cj0KEQiA89u1BRDz8enExq7rvN0BEiQAaFCHmzPBgmEmh1qqtkKDxjrtDfyXShnDojSRfyQ0L5bRIpoaAlcf8P8HAQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

 

 

This is what we have: http://www.amazon.com/Brother-DCPL2540DW-Wireless-Compact-Printer/dp/B00MFG57ZK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1454859376&sr=1-1&keywords=dcp-l2540dw

I've used third-party toner cartridges in ours with no problems.

Edited February 7, 2016 by NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too

[Crimson Wife]

I use a Canon Imageclass D530 as my main printer (we also have a HP LaserJet Pro 200 that I use when I need color or wireless print capability). It is fast and prints 2-sided without my having to manually feed the pages. The quality of the prints and scans are fine for my purposes. We do use genuine Canon toner cartridges because we had a negative past experience with Cartridge World refurbished ones (that was what killed the previous laser printer).

 

I got the Canon because it was the cheapest one with good reviews at the time we needed it (a couple of years ago). It has been a great basic printer. I'm not familiar with the other Canon model but we've had a good experience with the brand.

 

The HP was a review product through Amazon Vine and even though the retail price is much higher, I don't like it nearly as well as the Canon because it's slow and doesn't print 2-sided.

[JudoMom]

I have a canon and buy generic on amazon. I like my canon because there is never a drum to replace. I had a brother, and I needed to replace the drum. It was cheaper to buy my canon than do that.

[scbusf]

I have the HL-L2380DW and so far, I am pretty happy with it.  My only issue is that it doesn't copy 2-sided.  I'm sure it says that in the description of it, but I must not have seen it. I am thrilled with the print quality, though.

[elegantlion]

This is all helpful. I didn't think about the drum on the Brother. This gives me some more options to research, thank you. 

[kitten18]

I had a Brother 2280 (I think) it was the old version of the 2380. It was great. I just sent it to our office because I got a Brother color laser printer.

 

 

My new printer has the auto feed on the top and I love that!!! It makes copying or scanning more than a couple pages so much easier.

 

 

We have about 5 Brother printers at our office and only one has needed to have the drum replaced. It was at least 6 years old and had made tens of thousands of copies before we replaced the drum.

 

We buy all generic toner. For the last year or so I've been ordering from a seller called E-Z Ink on Amazon and all the cartridges have worked well.

Edited February 8, 2016 by kitten18

[elegantlion]

As an update, I went with the Canon imageCLASS MF227dw. I've only had it a few days, so no real review except it's quick, quiet and was easy to set up. The print copy is fine and it does double-sided. The prices fluctuated a bit, but I bought this one for $149. 

 

Ds helped me set it up and he was easily able to find a driver for himself, he uses Linux. I think he said it was on the Linux website. 

 

I went with Canon instead of Brother because I don't want to ever worry about a drum. My last printer was probably 8-10 years old and I'd like this one to last at least as long without replacing anything but toner.  

 

the only glitch was with delivery. The box is big on this one and for some reason UPS decided to require a signature although they've delivered 100s of boxes here before, including a giant TV. This was NOT in an amazon box. So I was not happy delivery was delayed for  a day because no one was here to sign for it. 

 

Edited February 27, 2016 by elegantlion