Something wrong with the pricing?

[AndyMH]

I've got a Brother HL4140CN network (no wifi) colour laser, had it maybe six years and very happy with it. It does 22ppm, 2400x600 resolution, but no auto double sided.

It's about due for a new set of toners. If I buy compatible then £160 (4000 sheet black/3500 colour), if I buy Brother then £220 (2500/1500 sheets).

But... if I buy a new HL-L8260CDW* - nearest spec I could find, does 31ppm, auto double side, network + wifi, but only 600x600 resolution. Comes with 3000/1800 page toners. Cost is £180!

What should a boy do
Doesn't sound very eco friendly.



* there is a linux driver, I checked.

[athi]

Welcome to the disposable economy.

[rene]

Welcome to the disposable economy.

But if you're principled about it, you could try eating the HL4140CN...

[Portreve]

I would much rather use a laser printer than an inkjet.

[rene]

Definitely. Ink tastes like shit.

[catweazel]

Welcome to the disposable economy.

But if you're principled about it, you could try eating the HL4140CN...

lmao

[AndyMH]

you could try eating the HL4140CN..

with my teeth but I could do a battenburg with the toners

[DAMIEN1307]

Printer manufacturers pretty much just give away the printers pricewise, they make "no bones about" it that they make their money on future sales of ink cartridges and supplies...DAMIEN

[cliffcoggin]

It's typical of low to medium cost printers of all brands that new ink or toner cartridges cost more than a new printer.

Bon appetite.

[Pierre]

most likely, just buy a new HL-L8260CDW .. ..
& dispose of the printer in the eWaste facility.

[RollyShed]

Are the cartridges with the new printer as big as a standard cartridge?
Would you actually notice a difference in print quality?
How often do you need auto double sided?

If the answers are No, then what you have with a compatible cartridge should be the way to go. You are going to have to get cartridges sometime for a new printer.

[athi]

Are the cartridges with the new printer as big as a standard cartridge?

No, retail printers typically comes with "starter cartridge" which are rated for much lower page count (50% or less).

Would you actually notice a difference in print quality?

Compatible replacement toner cartridges toner quality varies depending on the vendors. The best are almost the same as OEM, the worst could cause print issues. Brothers are actually one of the better printer company that don't mess with you using non-OEM replacement toner cartridges.

[trytip]

the printing companies is the most crooked business in the world. they sell you a not so meh printer cheap and made in China and then they laugh at you all the way to the bank when it comes to buying the ink why is a tiny cartridge of colored water cost $29.99 or higher.

[AndyMH]

Well, to continue the metaphor I 'bit the bullet' and have ordered a new HL-L8260CDW, arriving tomorrow. I did check the capacity of the pre-installed toners before buying. Now what to do with a perfectly good HL-4140CN...

ADDENDUM - to make the pricing even crazier, Brother offer a £100 cashback with this printer. Have to apply after purchase and one Amazon buyer said it took nearly six months to get his money. But still... This makes the printer half the price of buying a compatible set of toners for my HL-4140CN.

It is making me think that when the time comes to get new toners for the new printer, do I just dump it and buy another new printer?

[Portreve]

Printer companies are absolutely no different than any other modern era business: they use arbitrage in order to profit off the backs of the third-world workforce who are just trying to survive and put food on the table like anyone else by exploiting the fact they can pay them nothing for product with which they can then rip off people in first-world countries who are stupid enough (read: ignorant and myopically self-centered) to let this continue.

I do not hero worship nor genuflect at the feet of Corporate America (amongst other entities) because I refuse to reward this bad behavior.

[absque fenestris]

https://www.peachpatronen.ch/toner/Brot ... country=20

67.02 £
Peach Combi Pack, compatible with TN-320 Brother
1x2500, 3x1500 Pages

121.57 £
Peach Combi Pack Plus, compatible with TN-325 Brother
2x4000, 3x3500 Pages

[Moem]

It is making me think that when the time comes to get new toners for the new printer, do I just dump it and buy another new printer?

If all you care about is money, then that is certainly an option.

I use older/used laser printers which can be had for a song (for reasons that you now fully understand) and restock the toner by getting compatibles, or if I can find them, left over toner cartridges from people who no longer have that printer and are cleaning house. There's a bit of searching involved. I'm okay with that.

[absque fenestris]

It can happen that you buy a toner at auction (CHF 10.-) and get the matching printer for free...
So at least I have spare parts.

[AndyMH]

If all you care about is money, then that is certainly an option.

I do admit to being conflicted on this, with the economics driving you so strongly in one direction and the desire to avoid waste driving you in another. My conscience would sit happier if the printers were more expensive and the toners cheaper.

[Paul_Pedant]

My go-to is StinkyInk in the UK. They do your cartridges, high-capacity, remanufactured and guaranteed, as a 4-pack for £78, free delivery, in stock.

Just checked you were in UK. Wiltshire? I'm in Bradford on Avon. Small world.