Any suggestions for a traveling laser printer?

June 28, 2006 1:02 PM

I need a small laser printer that I can ship repeated across the country. (needs to be laser, needs to have paper tray) Anyone have suggestions for a simple sturdy printer?

I have employees that travel to multiple locations around the US each week and they take a small laptop-based computer network with printers. Everything gets shipped via UPS is Pelican cases.

So I need a smallish printer that can take the repeated punishment of UPS handlers. We use the Brother HL-1440 printer now, and it works fine, but they don't make them anymore and I'm getting tired of buying used ones from eBay. I don't care as much about the brand, just want something sturdy.

posted by svdodge to computers & internet (14 comments total)

look at the various Samsung printers. Cheap enough to break a few if shi* happens
posted by Gungho at 1:03 PM on June 28, 2006

I own an HP 4+ that I bought in 1993 and it still works like a champ. It's been through cross-country moves and on a palletized air freight move to/from Korea, has been bounced and jostled and who knows what. I think that would be one candidate right there if you can stomach one more eBay printer.
posted by chef_boyardee at 1:14 PM on June 28, 2006

Check out the Pentax Pocketjet
posted by zerokey at 1:18 PM on June 28, 2006

crap..sorry..missed the paper tray part. They only have roll feeders for these.
posted by zerokey at 1:20 PM on June 28, 2006

The HP 4+ printers are sturdy, but absurdly heavy. I don't know what your budget is, but I can't imagine UPS charging less than $50 to move that printer anywhere in the US (probably more like $100). Just something to consider...
posted by shepd at 1:37 PM on June 28, 2006

I've had very little trouble with my Brother HL-2070N, though of course, I haven't repeatedly shipped it around the country in a Pelican case, so, your mileage may vary.
posted by odinsdream at 1:49 PM on June 28, 2006

I've also had great success with the Brother HL-2070N. I don't know how it would ship, but it was great in my office and we beat the crap out if it regularly.

One important thing it doesn't have is anything that sticks out that could get broken off.
posted by SpecialK at 2:12 PM on June 28, 2006

Another vote for the Samsung printers; Dell sells their low-end model as the Dell Laser 1110 for $99; its the same thing I bought with a Samsung ML-2010 label at CompUSA for around $75 a few months ago. Toner/drum replacement units will run you around $50.
posted by mrbill at 2:16 PM on June 28, 2006

If they're going repeatedly to a small number of places, it might make more sense to buy a printer for each and leave it there. If you're willing to settle for inkjet (instead of laser) you can get excellent printers for $150.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 2:27 PM on June 28, 2006

I find the HP 1020 series to be a fine little laser printer than I can carry under one arm. Toner is very widely available, even as a generic. Drivers are good on the Mac, so presumably they work well in Windows.

I used to have the Brother 1440. The HP is very similar in size. I find the HP to be more reliable as well. (YMMV)
posted by clango at 3:44 PM on June 28, 2006

Spelling problem: "a fine little laser printer THAT I can carry under one arm. "
posted by clango at 3:45 PM on June 28, 2006

We have a small HP laserjet (I can't recall the exact number, but it is similar to the 1020) that has survived a few moves and works great. Simple, sturdy, never jams.
posted by radioamy at 6:43 PM on June 28, 2006

I also have a brother (hl 2040) and it's cheap, no unmailable doo-hickies, and has a paper tray. Works printerifically. Plus, it's pretty damn small.
posted by theantikitty at 9:55 PM on June 28, 2006

I second or third or fourth the Samsung. My mother got one to replace an inkjet just before Christmas. It's small, inexpensive and appears pretty sturdy (she never moves it, so I can't speak to that), and it just works, which is exactly right for her.
posted by lhauser at 11:06 PM on June 28, 2006