Dell B1160 Mono Laser Printer Linux-compatible?
 

Hi all,
I've discovered the Dell B1160 Mono Laser Printer at a great price on ebuyer. I just want to verify its Linux-friendly status. On the Dell website it claims Linux-compatibility for this model with Redhat 6 and Redhat 7. I'd like it to run on Ubuntu 14.04. I'd like to hear from anyone with experience using this model.
Thanks,
jdk

Dell does not manufacture printers. Dell's printers are OEMed from other manufacturers.

(Dell printers used to be OEM from Lexmark--don't know who they use now--which, despite Lexmark's claims of Linux-compatibility, were generally Linux-unfriendly. When I first started using Linux, I had a Lexmark; when I asked on the old Slackware newsgroup how to get it working, the unanimous response was, "Lose the Lexmark.")

I have tried to find out via a web search who OEMed a particular printer to Dell, and it is very difficult. I would counsel caution.

HP has the best Linux printer support. In my experience, Epson is okay; Brother is spotty; and Canon is almost as bad as Lexmark, but, again, that's just me.

Thanks for the reply, Frank.
The source of my information was this link. The compatibilities for the B1160 are listed as follows:
(note it's RHEL 5 and 6 and not 6 and 7) as a stated in my original post.
Only a few of the printers listed are claimed to be Linux-compatible and the B1160 is one of them. Is it possible for a printer to be compatible with RHEL 6 and not with other distros?

Just in passing let me say that I've been using Brother printers for years and have always found them to be extremely linux-friendly. Never had a spot of trouble with any of them.
jdk

jdkaye,

I can only second frankbell's sentiments about Dell printers. They are usually a nightmare in Linux.

The chances are that this printer is produced by Lexmark, if history is anything to go by. Lexmark's compatibility with Linux is slightly less than zero.

My recommendation would be to go for:

1. HP (the most Linux-friendly manufacturer of all, using hplip)
2. Epson/Brother

From personal experience I can recommend both the HP 2540 and the HP 8620.

The HP 8620 may be above your current budget, but believe me, it is a monster and it just leaves the HP 2540 in the shade.

You do get an awful lot of printer (scanner, copier etc) for your money.

It does everything apart from make the tea, and it performs well in Linux!

Is your house big enough?


Dell B1160: (£49.98):

http://askubuntu.com/questions/33545...iver-installer

HP 2540: (£39.99)
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/hp...inter/36870035


HP 8620: (£109.98 after cashback)
http://www.ebuyer.com/629406-hp-offi...ter-a7f65a-a80

NB "The quality will be remembered long after the price has been forgotten".

Thank you, bb2. Let me say that this printer is not for me. I use a Brother HL-2130 laser printer and, as I said earlier, it has worked flawlessly from the day I installed it. It serves as a network printer at home. I work as a volunteer ("IT Buddy") for the Kent County Council and run a training session for a group of retirees or near retirees at the local library. These are people who have never (or hardly ever) used a computer. As a rule, they don't have loads of money to spend. One of them needs to get a printer and price is a major factor. I have an account at ebuyer so I get regular (i.e. daily) emails about their special deals. They were offering the Dell for 30 pounds which is within her price-range. I don't have any experience with Dell printers which is why I started this thread. Thanks again for your input. It is appreciated.
jdk

jdkaye,

Good for you. I do a similar thing in my locality, the wild west of Wales.

This Linux driver works on the Dell B1160w, so I would go ahead and buy it at the offer price of £30:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/...driverid=M4HVD

**I have just noticed that the HP 2540 is now only £32 at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-Deskjet-2.../dp/B00E7Q36RW

The customer feedback is extremely positive.

All the best.

beachboy2

Thanks again BB2. I'll pass along the info about the HP2540 to her. It's nice to meet someone else doing IT volunteer work. Believe it or not the library here is still using Windows XP. The network connection has been down for over a week so I haven't been able to do my regular "buddying" for a while. I'm curious about what OS they are using in your area. Also XP?
Cheers,
jdk

jdk,

XP is pretty rare round here now.

Vista or more often W7 is the usual Windows OS.

Back to printers, please do check the cost of replacement cartridges for both the HP2540 and the Dell B1160w.

It could make a difference to the choice that she makes.

Good point. Will do.
Thanks.
jdk