I am starting my own small business ( one man )
I am in the need of a good printer at a fair price. I have been told to get a laser jet one. What do you think is the best for the money <$600.

Anything "HP"

That is all we have in our business and love them. We have a couple of old HP4's, one HP5, three 1200's and one 4000 TN.

They are real work horses. The 1200's are maybe a little more than you want to spend, but they are GREAT.

Hope this helps.

Stay away from Lexmark, they make a good home-duty printer, but not for an office. I've got seven HP's and have never taken one out of service. I just keep moving them down to less important areas. Be aware that HP does sell some cheaper chassis units.

You will need a color inkjet for color support, but you need a good monochrome laser for 99% of your stuff. Nothing compares to the low cost per copy of a laser. We use an HP all-in-one for fax/scan/color copying/color printing (its the v40i) and it ROCKS for that. For mass copying, we have a dedicated monochrome analog copier and you should also.

Go to CNET.com for printer reviews.
Go to pricegrabber.com for pricing when you have picked out your unit.

HP all the way.

My experience has been just the opposite.

I have had my business for 5 yrs now. Went through two HPs in the first two years. Changed to Lexmark and things have been great since.

The reason I changed? Lexmark was rated the best overall small business printer. Maybe I just fell for the hype.

Just goes to show that there are lemons in every brand regardless of the product.

Buck
#183

Whatever brand you buy, do NOT get the "home-office" duty model.

With all respect to the HP folks, don't you think you should have asked him what kind of business he's starting first? That can influence the kind of printer he needs.

I also have two small offices in different states, and we don't print many pages compared to a morgage co. I elected to buy low-level laser Lexmarks on a price point, and don't regret it yet. At $150 after rebate, these are disposable printers. And laser printers get less expensive every year.

Hmm.
I'd love to give you an answer, but first I must ask you what kind of business you're starting.

I hear brothels have minimal need for paperwork.
If you are starting one of these, perhaps you should look into a Lexmark.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Owning a company that does nothing but Hard copy supplies, Go HP. The cost per page is almost half of the Lexmark.

You can buy a slightly used on on E Bay cheap.

It all depends on the speeds that you want to print.

Stay away from inkjets, the cost per page is very expensive, especially for a fax machine.

Faxs use alot more toner than regular printers, logos etc.

Good Luck with your new bus.

Curtis

I use a 1200 HP to print repair orders everyday. Works great, have been using it for 18 months, never a jam and it is in the shop, not an A/C office.

One tip. Only use HP cartriges.