Why is it that I can't find a plain b/w copier at a reasonable price? All I see advertised are "All-in-One" fax/printer/copier/scanners, some as low as $60. I already have a fax and a printer. Does anybody know of a good copier short of a large refrigerator size one?

Canon makes some cheap laser copiers--PC160 is one model. Check at places like Office Depot, Staples and Office Max for other models and manufacturers. I don't think these have a PC connection.

I'd suggest you stick with laser copiers that use the powder toner cartridges and not the inkjet type. The toner cartridges won't dry out.

If you buy used find out if a new toner cartridge is included.

Thanks for your answer. I saw the PC160 at a store for $149, but I also saw a laser typemultifunction fax/copier/scanner for around $70, which still puzzles me; but I will keep looking.

I've seen new laser copiers on sale for around $100. The first copier I bought was a PC-14 for around $500 or $600 so the price has come down.

Laser cartridges are generally more expensive than inkjet cartridges. That's probably one reason for the price difference. Plus I think new technology is concentrating on the inkjet versions thus bringing their prices down.

If the price of a new one is prohibitive you may be able to find a used one. I picked up two old copiers at goodwill for about $10 each, a PC-6 RE and a PC400. Both pulled the paper through OK (another thing you have to check on a used one). They just needed new cartridges. I found a new one for the PC400 at goodwill a few days later and pulled an almost new one out another PC-6 there. So they're both working for very little investment.

I think with a lot of the older ones, their owners are just getting rid of them when the toner is gone rather than opting for a new cartridge. As you mentioned, the price on the new ones is so low that replacing the older ones makes more sense than buying an expensive cartridge. You might want to check the classified ads under 'office equipment' since many of the junked older ones are coming from businesses.

You mentioned you found a laser multifunction one for $70. It should work as a stand-alone copier without the need to be connected to your PC.

I used a lexmark copier/scanner/printer just as a copier after my PC-14 died. But it wasn't nearly as reliable as a laser copier. After a brand new ink cartridge dried up in no time at all I threw it out and found the ones at goodwill. But if the one you found uses powder toner then it may work OK for you.

Many new machines come with STARTER cartridges or even NO cartridges.

In the long haul you may be better off with the more expensive copier. I had a Canon PC-2 for 20 years before I couldn't get it to travel without jamming. The plastic rails wore out. That copier took a cartridge that came in 3 flavors. which were interchangable. Difference was the number of copies. Toner cartridges would be in there 3 or 4 years and the thing always worked. When the cartridge seemed to be running out simply taking it out and rolling it in the air would give new life. TCO (total cost of ownership). Inkjet machines today have counters that tell you the cartridge is empty wheather it is or not. Also many can't be refilled. Get a laser. Crisper, more professional looking copies that don't bleed when they get wet.

Thank you guys for all the good information, now I have a pretty good idea what to do.