Question on Printers: Compatibility/Laser vs. Inkjet: Mac vs. PC

[The Cleaner]

Hi all, I'm looking into purchasing a new printer. However due to the fact that I have an older operating system (Mac Classic 9.2) I'm having significant trouble with compatibility.

I'm looking into purchasing an HP LaserJet 1022...new model and supposedly reliable. I plan on using it for large documents and, because inkjets can be such poor quality, such as hassle, and such a ripoff with constant changes, I'm going the laser way.

The specs on the HP 1022 cite software compatibility on the Mac as 10.2 and higher. My question is this...perchance would I be able to install and use the software on the basis of backwards compatibility? Or does backwards compatibility exist anymore? In reality I'm only looking for the driver, that's the most important.

Please don't tell me I have to purchase a new computer AND a new printer! Ugh! Our current computer, if we want to upgrade to Mac Tiger OS, would necessitate wiping out our hard drive. In that case, we would need a portable HD to transfer files to. And would like to know also if there's a program that allows one to make a "mirror copy" of the mac HD onto another system so that native files aren't lost either.

Anybody? Why is it so daggone difficult, time consuming, and money-draining?

[longship]

1. My inkjet printer is great.

It's an HP Business Inkjet 1200dtn.

The ink cartridges are *huge*. It has four of them. I get about 2,000 pages per black cartridge at a cost of ~$30 each. That's very competitive with laser, plus it prints color. No, it's not as fast, and it's even slower when it duplexes but I love its robustness and the fact that it has two input trays and network connectivity.

It's been completely reliable and takes everything I throw at it.

Now, the bad news. It's no longer available. However, I understand that HP has a replacement which is even more economical with ink. I don't know the model number.

Just thought you'd like some other options.

The new model is the HP Officejet Pro K550. It's essentially similar to the BIJ 1200 which looks like is still available from HP on their Web site.

[elfin]

2. I can use my Canon (850) in either sytem X+ or Classic

However, my HP photosmart 7960 ONLY seems to work in X. So I use the HP for photos pretty much only since it does a better job.

The Canon is my "workhorse" mainly because I can get cheap ink from Carrot and HP is still a problem for cheap replacement cartridges.

This Canon is an older model - only 3 cartridges being used - do not know about the newer ones and cheap cartrides or Classic compatibility.

If you are stuck in system 9 - check out Canon. I ditched Epson some years back due to poor perfomance overall - maybe it has changed.

Try Google - Mac Printers Classic

Good luck