I'm a sysadmin who plays around with Linux servers, but I'm in a bit of a bind. My trusty HP Laserjet P1505N has finally given up the ghost after 10 years, and I'm not sure I want to dive into fixing it. Ideally, I need a printer that won't require a lot of fuss to set up or use, especially since I'm visually impaired. Touchscreens are a no-go for me. I want something that connects easily via USB or has a simple web interface. Do printers like this still exist, or are they all complicated now? If you had a print server and just wanted a reliable printer that works with it, what would you recommend?
6 Answers
How much printing do you actually do? Do you need color prints? Just wondering if that affects your choice.
I’d just say go for whatever is cheapest at Costco! You might find something easy to set up there.
I'd definitely recommend a Brother mono laser printer. They're great for basic printing needs and have been really straightforward for me to use.
I can't speak from your experience, but I can confirm that Brother laser printers are nearly hassle-free. You just plug them in and load the ink and paper, and they work fine without needing to bother with extra drivers.
Brother printers seem to be the last good option around, especially the laser models. They're pretty reliable and not too complicated to operate.
I totally agree! We've got one for our office, and they've been super dependable without any issues. They do come with optional software, but it's mainly for checking ink levels.
I've tried the Brother models, but I switched to an HP4001n because it lacks wifi which has actually simplified things for me. I haven’t had any issues with it, and my devices connected without extra setup.
I rarely print, usually just shipping labels and the odd document. I’ve gone through a one-inch stack of paper in years, so I don’t think color is necessary.