HP Color LaserJet 1600

Pros: Good overall print quality

Cons: Page contamination (gray backgrounds)

Summary: Knowing quality inkjets are usually a better choice than color lasers, I was in Staples the other day, saw the 1600 at a discounted price, so got it. The first 50 or so pages looked great, but as I kept printing (using the correct color laser paper), I began seeing the same gray page background many others have complained about that makes the pages appear dirty. I used the cleaning utility as well as the fuser clean utility, tried changing some Print Quality settings at the suggestion of HP, but nothing helped. I also tried a different laser paper. I ended up printing about 100 pages and compared the first to the last printed page. The last one simply looks dirty in comparison. I also began noticing a faint vertical line on each side of the pages, positioned about 1/8" in from the edges, with the very edge of the pages a little "dirtier" than the rest. I could really see the difference when placing a clean, unprinted page beside one that's been printed. I feel I did everything I could do....or at least willing to do but couldn't get it to print a clean page after the first 50.

Bottom line is it was returned. And it's a shame because overall print quality is quite good. Had it not been for this dirty page problem, I'd have kept it and given it a much higher rating.