[gentoo-user] I want a low-end usb laser printer with minimal config hassle

[»Q«]

I'm looking for recommendations for a low-end laser printer. I don't
need networking and I'd like to keep things as simple as possible, so
I'm probably looking for just a usb printer which works with cups. I'd
very much prefer one which doesn't require proprietary firmware to be
loaded or anything to be installed outside of portage. I'd Duplex
printing would be a plus, but not necessary.

For reference, if the Brother HL-L2300D works easily with cups, it
would suit me fine. (But I don't have any preference of manufacturer
-- I just happen to have the Brother URL handy as I'm typing this.)
<https://www.brother-usa.com/products/HLL2300D>

[Manuel McLure]

Post by »Q«
I'm looking for recommendations for a low-end laser printer. I don't
need networking and I'd like to keep things as simple as possible, so
I'm probably looking for just a usb printer which works with cups. I'd
very much prefer one which doesn't require proprietary firmware to be
loaded or anything to be installed outside of portage. I'd Duplex
printing would be a plus, but not necessary.
For reference, if the Brother HL-L2300D works easily with cups, it
would suit me fine. (But I don't have any preference of manufacturer
-- I just happen to have the Brother URL handy as I'm typing this.)
<https://www.brother-usa.com/products/HLL2300D>

The main thing you want to look for is PCL and/or PostScript compatibility.
And I'd highly recommend getting a networked printer that supports Port
9100 instead of a USB one - this allows you to use the same printer for all
of your systems.

The Brother HL-L2370DW (https://www.brother-usa.com/products/HLL2370DW)
seems to be the cheapest Brother that supports PCL.

[T***@gmx.com]

Post by Manuel McLure
The main thing you want to look for is PCL and/or PostScript compatibility.
And I'd highly recommend getting a networked printer that supports Port
9100 instead of a USB one - this allows you to use the same printer for all
of your systems.

Seconded!

You will get a lot more milage out of a network pcl/ps printer than one
that isn't for instance my printer no longer works with USB as drivers
aren't made for newer os but I can still use network pcl/ps to print.

My advice is to buy a used HP laserjet 4300 which is a nice usb/network
pcl/ps printer and get third party toner carts.

hp 4300 model names explained:
d = duplexer
s = stapler/stacker (2nd output tray with an automatic stapler)
t = 2nd tray
n = network
(dtns is the highest end model as it has all 4 upgrades but they can
also be bought individually)


Buying new printers especially the cheap models is a suckers bet due to
the high consumables costs, the printers themselves being cheaply made
and sold for less than the cost of production with the money being made
back with overpriced ink and toner - newer models also frequently have a
"security" feature that prevents the use of "dangerous" third party
toner/ink.

[Peter Humphrey]

I'd highly recommend getting a networked printer that supports Port 9100
instead of a USB one - this allows you to use the same printer for all of
your systems.

Nonsense. You just don't need a network interface if you don't have one. This
is Linux, not WinBloze.

I have an old Kyocera FS-1020D postscript printer which has just a USB
interface. I connect it to one machine and make it available from there to
others on the network. No problem. CUPS can do that.

(OT: A well known subscriber here very generously gave me a USB-network
interface box so that I could take the network route, but I'm afraid I haven't
got round to installing it yet because of another complication that's cropped
up, requiring a more-or-less complete rewiring of the whole bunch of systems.
My joints aren't as flexible as they used to be.)

[Peter Humphrey]

Post by Peter Humphrey

I'd highly recommend getting a networked printer that supports Port 9100
instead of a USB one - this allows you to use the same printer for all of
your systems.

Nonsense. You just don't need a network interface if you don't have one.
This is Linux, not WinBloze.

That came out a bit sharper than I intended. No offence meant.

[Mick]

Post by Peter Humphrey

Post by Peter Humphrey

I'd highly recommend getting a networked printer that supports Port 9100
instead of a USB one - this allows you to use the same printer for all of
your systems.

Nonsense. You just don't need a network interface if you don't have one.
This is Linux, not WinBloze.

That came out a bit sharper than I intended. No offence meant.

It's a true statement, ethernet is not necessary, if you keep the PC with the
USB printer running when you need to print.

I've used both Linux & MSWindows as print servers. If memory serves WinXP was
able to offer 'Print Services for Unix', their name for LPD, to allow any USB
printer connected to the WinXP PC to be accessed by Linux clients using CUPS.
I didn't even have to install Samba on the Linux PCs, vanilla CUPS worked
fine. Of course the reverse is also true as Peter mentioned.