Suggestions for a workgroup color printer for under $400?

March 26, 2004 6:25 AM

Suggestions for a workgroup color printer for under $400? It needs to connect to a network via ethernet.
posted by Macboy to Shopping (4 answers total)

I've managed to avoid printers altogether up to now. But if you find something you like which doesn't do networking, remember that if you're willing to mess around a bit, you can hang it off an old 486 with linux or a *BSD and have that handle the networking and queueing etc. Should allow for buying a significantly cheaper (if probably lower quality) printer.
posted by fvw at 6:30 AM on March 26, 2004

At that price point, you will be out of the realm of buying a printer with an onboard ethernet port. I'd look at getting an entry level HP laserjet and adding an external print server to the parallel port.
posted by machaus at 7:08 AM on March 26, 2004

I can tell you to avoid Minolta Magicolor like the plague. Replacing the toners is more expensive than the whole printer, and colors start looking crappy even when they're still a bit less than half full. When one of the colors is deemed low it won't print at all, and the quality is just poopy in general.

I second the external print server recommendations.
posted by littlegreenlights at 8:58 AM on March 26, 2004

Hewlett Packard all the way.

I also second the old computer as a network connection if that works for you - you could also use Win98 on it if that fits in better with your network or skills.
posted by dg at 6:12 AM on March 27, 2004