Smart Tank printers with removeable printheads

[MacNerd2]

You state:

Instead, the waste toner is collected inside the toner cartridge itself, which is replaced when the toner runs out.

I wonder how the toner gets from the drum back to the cartridge without ending up on the bottom of the inside of the printer. Is the waste toner recycled, that is, mixed in with the "good" toner or is it stored in a separate part of the cartridge?

I've reviewed the different monochrome printers & the 3101sdw has the features that I want. I don't have fax. I don't need fax. I don't want fax. That's why I choose the 3101sdw instead of the 3101fdw.

Does the 3101sdw have an integrated drum or separate toner cartridge & drum? Based on your reply, I assume that the 3101sdw has an integrated toner/drum cartridge.

Integrated or not integrated? That is the question. Apologies to Shakespeare!

I assume that the only disadvantage to an integrated cartridge is that it is more expensive. The drum is photosensitive. I assume that the cartridge is light-tight. I would think that there would be less maintenance on a printer with an integrated cartridge. The drum wouldn't need to be cleaned only the corona wire would need to be cleaned.

HMM!

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @MacNerd2,

Great observations! You’re asking all the right questions about how waste toner is handled and the differences between integrated and separate drum/toner setups.

HP 3101sdw: Integrated or Separate Drum/Toner?

The HP LaserJet 3101sdw uses a separate drum and toner cartridge system. This means that the toner cartridge (which contains the toner powder) and the imaging drum (which transfers the toner onto the paper) are two distinct parts.

• Toner Cartridge: Needs replacement when the toner runs out.
• Drum Unit: Lasts much longer (often several toner cycles) before needing replacement.

In contrast, some HP models (like many in the LaserJet Pro MFP series) use integrated toner/drum cartridges, where both components are replaced as a single unit.

Waste Toner: What Happens to It?

HP printers do not recycle waste toner into the fresh toner supply. Instead:

1. Residual toner left on the drum is wiped off by a cleaning blade.
2. Waste toner is collected in a waste toner container or inside the drum unit (for models with a separate drum).
3. On some models, waste toner is stored inside the toner cartridge itself, meaning when you replace the toner, you also remove the waste toner.

For separate drum/toner printers like the HP LaserJet 3101sdw, the drum unit may include a compartment for waste toner, but it depends on the model.

Since you don’t want a fax, the HP LaserJet 3101sdw is a solid choice over the 3101fdw (which includes fax).
 

Hope this clears everything up! Let me know if you need more details. 😊

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support 

[MacNerd2]

Very interesting!

This will be my 1st laser printer. I've had only inkjet printers. I've never had an HP or an Epson printer. I've had a Lexmark, Xerox, a couple of Canons & 3 Brother inkjet printers. I read online that if 1 doesn't use the printer very often, one should get a laser printer.

Laser printers don't have printheads that get clogged!

I've learned a lot about laser printers on the HP forum, the Canon forum & the Brother forum.

The HP that I'm interested in uses separate toner & drum cartridges; the Canon has an integrated toner/drum cartridge; the Brother has separate toner & drum cartridges. I can't decide which one to get. The drum is photosensitive. Every time the the cover is opened, the drum is exposed to light. I wonder if that has any effect on the lifetime of the drum.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @MacNerd2,

It’s great to hear that you’re researching laser printers and learning more about how they differ from inkjets! You’re absolutely right—laser printers are generally a better choice for users who print infrequently since they don’t have printheads that can clog over time.

Since product recommendations depend on your specific needs, we have limited information on the best model for you. If you’d like more guidance, I’d recommend reaching out to HP Sales, who can help you select the best printer based on your printing habits and budget. Let us know if you’d like us to arrange a call with them!

To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile and send a private message to me with the serial number because we value your privacy.

VikramTheGreat

HP Support

[MacNerd2]

I reckon that you've answered all of my questions. Somehow my questions about inkjet printers got mixed up with my questions about laser printers!

Thank you for answering my questions & helping me out.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @MacNerd2,

You're very welcome! 😊 I’m glad I could help with your printer questions, even if things got a bit mixed up along the way. 

If you want to buy the printer, let us know, and we can surely try to get all the help.

VikramTheGreat

HP Support

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @MacNerd2,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to follow up on the technical issue that we discussed earlier and confirm that it has been successfully resolved.
 

If you encounter any further issues or have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to assist you and provide any necessary support.
 

I will be archiving this case for now, however, you can respond to the same thread to continue the conversation.
 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
 

Take care and have a great day ahead!
 

VikramTheGreat

HP Support