Do any current low-end laser printers play well (or poorly) with older (post-Classic) OS X macs?

[IIsiGuy]

My 20th-century HP LW just went out in a way with no quick-fix this time, and a backup (inkjet) pulled from longtime-storage was DOA.
So looking to quickly get one of the apparently many sub-$200 (even sub-$150) monochrome laser printers with physical ethernet port, until have the time to try repair. Brands include Brother, Canon, HP, Lexmark, Xerox, etc.

Low-volume printing of clear sharp text is the major requirement. Seems most are listed as 1200x1200, a 700 page cartridge, WiFi(AirPrint?) and besides GDI, some sort of PS and/or PCL emulator(s). Pretty sure they'd all print with Mac OS 11-26. Realistically will never need to print directly from a Classic OS machine, but network-print from OS 10.4+ would be great.

Wondering if experience here indicated any printers in particular need to be avoided if ever want to print from an older mac, or if any happen to be great printers for the price.
(Avoiding manufacturer firmware "locks" to highly (rather than just moderately) overpriced toner would be nice too, if the machine stays in use.)

Thanks.

 

[ArmorAlley]

I don't know about current but I picked up an Oki 321dn before the pandemic and I can print from my Mac OS 9 macs on it.
I haven't tried my G5 on it yet but I see no reason why it wouldn't work.
It is a colour 600dpi printer and prints A4 (and, I suppose US-Letter).

 

[adespoton]

The latest USB-only Brother laser printer has built-in compatibility modes for PS and PCL, as well as specific HP profiles AND a CUPS-compliant default driver.

That said, I haven't actually tried one from 10.4 yet; I've got the wireless version myself, which is slightly different, and the people I know who've got the USB one don't run legacy OSes.

These days, I'd avoid all modern HP printers (and all modern Epson printers too, and some modern Brother printers, and some modern Lexmark printers). So that pretty much leaves select Brother printers and most Oki printers.

Possible contenders to investigate:
Brother HL-L2350DW
Lexmark MB2236adw
Oki C332
Xerox Phaser 3260

 

[Snial]

My 20th-century HP LW just went out in a way <snip> Pretty sure they'd all print with Mac OS 11-26. Realistically will never need to print directly from a Classic OS machine, but network-print from OS 10.4+ would be great.

Thanks.

We have a Canon MF641C Laser Printer, which prints wirelessly from our MacBook Airs (M2 and Intel 2019) and Mac mini 2012. Haven't tried it with my MacBook C2D 2008, but I can try it. There's a driver that goes back to Mac OS X 10.5, so it should work (with my MBc2d.. and it might also work with my Mini G4 as it's running 10.5 too) I guess.

https://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer/products/printers/i-sensys/mf-series/i-sensys-mf641cw.html?type=drivers&os=macOS%2010.15%20(Catalina)

Sometimes it stops talking to our Macs, and we have to re-add it. Other than that, it's been great!

 

[volvo242gt]

Most printers will work. Until recently, I had a LaserJet P1006 that I used under 10.6.8 through 10.13.6. Worked fine. Stopped using it because we have an OfficeJet that has wi-fi built-in, so no need for a print server.

Also have used various Epson printers without issues.