Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

keithbvadu2

(36,655 posts)
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 03:26 AM Sep 2021

Looking for a printer that is black ink only

Looking for a printer that is black ink only. My HP won't even let me check ink levels anymore. It seems that most printers require you to have a color cartridge even if you don't want to use it.

As I understand it, HP date limits their cartridges even if they still have plenty of ink.

31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Looking for a printer that is black ink only (Original Post) keithbvadu2 Sep 2021 OP
Lazer printer? applegrove Sep 2021 #1
Prob too expensive for my low volume printing keithbvadu2 Sep 2021 #2
Maybe not. Every so often Brother has ridiculous sales... TreasonousBastard Sep 2021 #8
Not expensive at all Otto_Harper Sep 2021 #11
I bought a Dell color laser (maybe 10 years ago) for home use. I have gone through maybe 5 packages LiberalArkie Sep 2021 #21
I second this. lastlib Sep 2021 #26
They're the cheapest! LeftInTX Oct 2021 #27
I have gotten some good advice from this question. keithbvadu2 Oct 2021 #28
Darn..you're right. LeftInTX Oct 2021 #29
Thanks keithbvadu2 Oct 2021 #30
The Brother is also on Amazon LeftInTX Oct 2021 #31
It's possible. Grasswire2 Sep 2021 #3
oh, I just saw your comment about low volume printing. Grasswire2 Sep 2021 #4
ISO alchohol canetoad Sep 2021 #6
Yeah, as Applegrove said above canetoad Sep 2021 #5
A Brother black toner cartridge laser printer is the way to go. royable Sep 2021 #7
Seconded. Best purchase I ever made, closely followed by the Dyson. Doodley Sep 2021 #9
Thirded luv2fly Sep 2021 #15
Brother, that's the way to go. Beakybird Sep 2021 #10
I agree. I've had mine for a couple of years now, Haggard Celine Sep 2021 #12
I bought a Brother black only laser reconditioned printer from Amazon. LiberalBrooke Sep 2021 #13
Re: the Brother laser printers mahatmakanejeeves Sep 2021 #14
In 2016, I bought a HP1200 monochrome laser printer on Amazon. NCjack Sep 2021 #16
A laser printer is your solution PJMcK Sep 2021 #17
Dot matrix?? discntnt_irny_srcsm Sep 2021 #18
I actually have some paper for that thing. keithbvadu2 Sep 2021 #20
good luck discntnt_irny_srcsm Sep 2021 #24
A 'black ink only' printer is called a 'monochrome printer' left-of-center2012 Sep 2021 #19
Thanks all for the words of wisdom. keithbvadu2 Sep 2021 #22
A Brother multifunction laser printer is the way to go MerryHolidays Sep 2021 #25
Go all the way: get an Epson laser printer! marble falls Sep 2021 #23

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
8. Maybe not. Every so often Brother has ridiculous sales...
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 04:18 AM
Sep 2021

I have one I got years ago for around 60 bucks. Not wireless, but does everything else you want. Model LD 2320

Still on the original cartridge.

Otto_Harper

(507 posts)
11. Not expensive at all
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 05:23 AM
Sep 2021

The cost difference between a low-end laser printer vs an ink-jet is in the ink cartridges. In my own experience, a laser printer, for home and small business related printing is far cheaper to own, over time, than an ink-jet.

(There was, for example, the ink jet printer I owned where the print nozzles would regularly clog, and it would clean them by spraying copious amounts of ink through the nozzles. The printer cost $100 on sale. At some point, I just tossed it. Ink cartridges are too expensive to use as a cleaning spray).

LiberalArkie

(15,703 posts)
21. I bought a Dell color laser (maybe 10 years ago) for home use. I have gone through maybe 5 packages
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 09:50 AM
Sep 2021

of paper and Just now bought 1 black toner cart for $15. Can anyone go 10 years on an inkjet and only spend $15. I turn out off when I am through. No reason to burn up the fuser.

I have an older Hp Photosmart inkjet that made fantastic photos, but the carts all gunked up, so I only use it for a scanner now.

lastlib

(23,152 posts)
26. I second this.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 03:31 PM
Sep 2021

Yes, a little more expensive initially, but the savings in toner vs. ink cartridge most definitely tips the scale. I bought a HP 2300 laser printer (monochrome) in 2004; it's still on my desk, on its second toner cartridge. (I don't do a lot of volume printing, but I could--in fact, I do have rare moments that I put a lot through it. Only expense I've had with it after the printer itself was a memory expansion chip (well worth the money to max it out!) and one toner cartridge about six years ago.

The only problem I have is that I'm using Windows 7--may have to upgrade in the near future, and I doubt seriously that there will be a driver for this printer--meaning I will have to buy a new printer, even though this still works. But it may well be the best $650 I ever spent.

LeftInTX

(25,126 posts)
27. They're the cheapest!
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 04:37 PM
Oct 2021

I had my last Brother printer since 2009, they use toner which is extremely efficient and doesn't clog jets.

The $30 you pay upfront pays for itself in a few months!

If you don't do a lot of printing, the toner does not dry out either.

keithbvadu2

(36,655 posts)
28. I have gotten some good advice from this question.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 07:28 PM
Oct 2021

I have gotten some good advice from this question. I've been looking for the L2320d Brother laser printer but it seems hard to find. Even Amazon doesn't list it very much.

Best buy lists it but constantly out of stock. Three times they've told me it's back in stock but wrong, wrong, wrong.

Made in Vietnam

LeftInTX

(25,126 posts)
29. Darn..you're right.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 07:41 PM
Oct 2021

My circuit board died on my Brother last year and I searched everywhere. I ended up getting an HP, but now HP no longer makes the one that I bought. It was the only one available for miles. (I do alot of printing...alot)

I see this one at Office Depot. It may or may not be available. Office Depot says it is.

https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/9371730/HP-LaserJet-M209dwe-Wireless-Black-And/

It's also on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/HP-LaserJet-M209dwe-Wireless-6GW62E/dp/B08VF1PKPF

I prefer Brother. HP is funky with their toner saving settings, but I do alot of printing and can't afford to be picky.

LeftInTX

(25,126 posts)
31. The Brother is also on Amazon
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 07:56 PM
Oct 2021

It isn't wireless, but neither was my old Brother... I plugged it into my router, so that it could be used on our home network.

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-HL-L2320D-Mono-Laser-Printer/dp/B00LEA5EHO?th=1

Grasswire2

(13,565 posts)
3. It's possible.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 03:38 AM
Sep 2021

I have a brand new monochrome printer waiting for me to set it up.

I hate HP printers, but am hoping that this HP monochrome laser jet (that doesn't use tiny cartridges but rather toner in a bigger container) will do well for me.

The model number is HP Laser Jet Pro MFP M2271 fdn. Bought through amazon.

So, no cartridges. But a toner tank.

Grasswire2

(13,565 posts)
4. oh, I just saw your comment about low volume printing.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 03:40 AM
Sep 2021

Mine varies. Many months of low volume, but then more when working on a project.

One benefit to a toner rather than cartridge is that cartridges dry up, don't they, if not being used?

canetoad

(17,136 posts)
5. Yeah, as Applegrove said above
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 03:41 AM
Sep 2021

Your only practical option is a laser printer if all you want is B/W.

However there are alternatives to being tethered to a brand and its ink requirements. The main problem is the ever 'updating' of cartridges and therefore the obsolescence of ink for previous models.

In my experience, you are far better off money wise, to ignore the warranty conditions of using only certain, approved ink refills. When you buy a printer, do your homework; what ink does it use and are generic cartridges available. If not, don't touch it. The printers of today may last a couple of years if you're lucky. Buy something cheap with easily available generic cartridges for a coupla buck and it will probably last five years or so.

My preference for home printers is Brother; they are inexpensive, work on generic ink and are reliable. If you were to go for a laser printer - I'd still say buy a Brother. They work well and the overheads are minimal.

royable

(1,263 posts)
7. A Brother black toner cartridge laser printer is the way to go.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 04:10 AM
Sep 2021

After about one toner cartridge refill, you will have saved money with the laser print, if you total the cost of printer plus toner cartridge vs. printer plus several expensive ink cartridges that provide considerably fewer copies per cartridge. Plus, you don't have to worry about the ink cartridge drying out or getting clogged up.

LiberalBrooke

(527 posts)
13. I bought a Brother black only laser reconditioned printer from Amazon.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 06:28 AM
Sep 2021

It was under $100 and I can print what I want as well as scan and copy on less than $20 a year on toner costs. I’ve already had it about 5 years and will do the same when I need another one.

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,296 posts)
14. Re: the Brother laser printers
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 06:33 AM
Sep 2021

I have never owned a Brother laser printer, but Walgreens used to sell those for quite a low price, and a starter toner cartridge came with the printers.

NCjack

(10,279 posts)
16. In 2016, I bought a HP1200 monochrome laser printer on Amazon.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 08:02 AM
Sep 2021

Paid $110 including shipping. No regrets moving away from inkjet printers.

PJMcK

(21,996 posts)
17. A laser printer is your solution
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 08:07 AM
Sep 2021

They can be bought for under $100 and they last forever. I have an HP that’s 25 years old and it’s worked perfectly with 5 different computers. The toner cartridges last several thousand pages.

Good luck!

keithbvadu2

(36,655 posts)
20. I actually have some paper for that thing.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 09:45 AM
Sep 2021

I actually have some paper for that thing. (Thrift store)

I bought the multi-sheet feed paper for the carbon paper that sits between the sheets.

Tear off the holes on the sides and it is useful paper as well.

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
19. A 'black ink only' printer is called a 'monochrome printer'
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 09:19 AM
Sep 2021

Here's one I just now found on Amazon. Googling 'monochrome printer' may find you more or cheaper than Amazon.

Pantum Mini Monochrome Laser Printer for Home Office School Student Mobile Wireless Printing- Small Laserjet P2502(D1m0n)

https://www.amazon.com/Pantum-Monochrome-Laserjet-P2502-D1m0n/dp/B085VTNKRW/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=black+ink+only+printer&qid=1631452356&sr=8-10

And there is eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=monochrome+printer&_sacat=0

keithbvadu2

(36,655 posts)
22. Thanks all for the words of wisdom.
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 10:01 AM
Sep 2021

Thanks all for the words of wisdom.

Sometimes it is cheaper to buy something more expensive.

I can still keep the (derisive adjective) HP for the scanner function.

Haven't made any decision yet but you've given me plenty of ammo.

MerryHolidays

(7,715 posts)
25. A Brother multifunction laser printer is the way to go
Sun Sep 12, 2021, 03:28 PM
Sep 2021

I've had one for nearly 5 years and it has performed flawlessly (printer, scanner, copier, and fax). I bought a color one last year too.

As others have noted, inkjets are cheaper initially but those cartridges are REALLY expensive. I'm not at all a fan of HP anymore.

You can new and refurbished ones relatively inexpensively: https://www.brother-usa.com/business/printers/home-office/all-in-one#sort=relevancy

Latest Discussions»Help & Search»Computer Help and Support»Looking for a printer tha...