topic Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer. in Office Printers

I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

MacNerd1 — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 23:18:50 GMT

I've never had a laser printer, only inkjet printers.

I know that there are 2 ways for a laser printer to create text - with a laser or with a LED array. Which does Canon use? I read about the new OLED printer. NEAT!

I'll probably have more questions.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

mreg — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:49:57 GMT

Canons are laser printers. Printers that use LED or OLED are LED printers or OLED printers.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

MacNerd1 — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:33:29 GMT

Thank you for the quick reply.

I wonder why some companies choose to make laser printers with a laser & some companies choose to make a laser printer with a LED array.

During the course of my research, I found out that some toner cartridges are toner only & some toner cartridges include the photo drum. I read online that the photo drum should be replaced every 3 to 4 toner cartridges. So, of course, a toner cartridge plus photo drum will be more expensive than a cartridge with toner only. Which cartridge does Canon use - toner only or toner plus photo drum?

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

normadel — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 21:01:36 GMT

Whether a "laser" printer is actually a laser printer or an LED printer is not really important. The difference is how the image gets scanned onto the drum. Do you read any articles that compare laser vs LED quality-wise?

Yes, there are laser printers that have toner and drum in one replaceable unit, and printers with toner cartridges separate from drums. A toner/drum unit costs more than a toner-only cartridge. butthe drums do wear out and have to be replaced. Long-term cost difference per copy is not something I've seen written about anywhere.

It may seem wasteful to replace a toner/drum unit just because the toner is used up. At the other end, I have a separate toner/drum printer that has been telling me for quite a while that my drums (four of them) are in need of replacement. Like with low-toner warnings, I don't replace ANYTHING until I see print quality degradation. The warnings come way too soon for my pocketbook.

It's all a matter of how different printer makers decide to do it....laser vs LED, separate toner & drum vs. combined. What are their reasons? You'd have to see if they can/will tell you.

I have both kinds of printers and they both are great!

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

mreg — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 21:06:23 GMT

I agree. You should probably buy whatever printer fits your needs and projected costs, without regard to whether it's laser or LCD. I have owned LCD printers and they also had excellent print quality. Personally I like the toner/drum combo, as a scratched or problematic drum will only affect that color. I like having to never "replace a drum."

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

shadowsports — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 22:22:20 GMT

Greetings,

Most Canon lasers use a laser. However, newer models may also support LED array.

Best thing to do is contact the Canon Sales team. They can help identify and confirm printing technology.

Then can also help you choose a printer that will meet your needs. Canon sales team (800) 385-2155

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

normadel — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 06:24:11 GMT

You say "Personally I like the toner/drum combo, as a scratched or problematic drum will only affect that color. I like having to never "replace a drum."

I have a laser printer (Brother, not a Canon) that has separate toner cartridges and drums. Each color has its own drum. So your statement is not quite right. The drums are easily-replaceable wear items.

A color laser CAN have just one drum unit, though I don't know about it on small home-type printers. I once had the use of a large Dell workgroup color laser that was a single-drum system.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

MacNerd1 — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:27:16 GMT

Now I wish to change the subject slightly.

I'd love to have a color laser but they are big, expensive, heavy & I probably wouldn't use the color capability very often.

So, I've reconsidered & I'd like to know more about the monochrome laser printers.

Is there like a class of monochrome laser printers that are all with the same name?

All Canon laser printers use a real laser not a LED array, correct?

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

shadowsports — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:32:06 GMT

Canon does have a line of monochrome only laser printers. I suggest you use the number I provided above and contact the sales team. They can help you identify the right model with the features you need.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

mreg — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 23:19:15 GMT

Not sure what I was "not quite right' about, as I never mentioned Brother printers. I was simply saying that I prefer toner/drum combination cartridges. You're saying that your Brother unit had four toner cartridges and a separate drum for each separately replaceable, so eight items to replace?

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

normadel — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 16:44:34 GMT

That's right. Eight replacement items. The cost for separate toner cartridge and drum is comparable to a both-in-one unit.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

MacNerd1 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 01:02:30 GMT

I'm thinking about getting the MF275. I looked at the manual & the waste toner cartridge isn't mentioned in the manual. Neither is the transport belt listed as a consumable. It was another brand of monochrome laser printer that I looked at, & on the forum I asked why there is no waste toner cartridge & the reply was that the waste toner goes back into the toner cartridge. Does the MF275 do the same thing? Does the waste toner go back into the toner cartridge? Does the MF275 use some other method of moving the paper like pressure rollers?

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

mreg — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:27:58 GMT

Thanks for the warning! I'll stay away from that.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

MacNerd1 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:51:54 GMT

I downloaded the manual for the 273 & browsed thru it.

I noticed that one can clean the drum thru the menu & one can clean the printer just by running a few sheets of paper thru the machine. NEAT! I wonder how each of those functions works.

Re: I'm thinking about getting a color laser printer.

shadowsports — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:01:14 GMT

@MacNerd1 wrote:

I wonder how each of those functions works.

Greetings,

No need to wonder. 🤔 Call the Canon Sales Team as I suggested earlier.