Does a Linux printer need to support Postscript, or is PCL 5 enough?

[zxcvbob]

My Brother HL-1670N printer has finally worn out (I think it just needs cleaning and lubing, but I've promised it to somebody) and I've started looking for a replacement.  I thought it would be easy; buy the new equivalent model from Brother, but the Amazon reviews for them are horrible.  Things like poor paper handling, stray toner spots, and overzealous toner cartridge policing such that allegedly if you remove the toner (like for cleaning or clearing a jam) the printer won't allow you to install it again.  So I'm looking at other brands. 

Okidata looks pretty good, but some of their models that get high marks at places like C-Net don't support Postscript.  Will that bite me in the butt if I want to print from Linux?  I'm not sure if CUPS requires Postscript to work.  Linux is not an issue right now, but it could be long before the printer wears out -- I keep them a long time. 

[RoadKingLarry]

I don't know about the LINUX compatibility but my Brother HL-L2305W has been flawless for 2-ish years now and I get pretty good toner life.

[lee n. field]

postscript is not necessary.   best research the exact model before pulling the trigger.  HPs have good support.

[Calumus]

postscript is not necessary.   best research the exact model before pulling the trigger.  HPs have good support.

I've been pretty much using HP printers exclusively for my clients for a couple of years now. These days, I'm also pushing laser in almost every case. If you don't print much, toner doesn't dry out. If you print a ton, laser costs about 10% of what ink does per page.

[lee n. field]

http://www.openprinting.org/printers

[zxcvbob]

I've been pretty much using HP printers exclusively for my clients for a couple of years now. These days, I'm also pushing laser in almost every case. If you don't print much, toner doesn't dry out. If you print a ton, laser costs about 10% of what ink does per page.

Wife bought an HP inkjet printer recently.  I refuse to use it because the consumables cost is so high.  She has already had to replace the starter cartridges (after just a couple of weeks) and they cost more than the printer did.  We have an old HP Deskjet upstairs somewhere that used huge and relatively-inexpensive cartridges.  It worked well, but HP doesn't make cartridges for it anymore.  Any that I find online (even direct from HP) are old stock and I don't trust them.

I'm going to stop by Office Max on the way home and check out the Oki B412dn printer they have on sale.  PC Magazine really seems to like it, and new toner cartridges for it aren't too bad.

[Silver Bullet]

I've been getting K-Ink generic ink for my Canon printer from Amazon.

10 cartridges for $13.  Works just fine.

[Silver Bullet]

I didn't know Postscript was still a thing.  I remember 20 years ago I was at work and overheard two employees talking about printers.  One was saying that his Postscript printer would also work with Post Raisin Brand and Post Grape Nuts.

I pointed out that would only work if the printer had a cereal interface.