My first printer in the early 80s was an EPSON dot matrix for $800. The second was an Apple laser printer in the late 80s for $3500. The third was a Brother momochrome MFC laser printer for $500 in the 00s. You can see why they are crap, huge price reductiions. E>en more if you consider inflationn and capability.

Always look at per page cost. Generally that means monochrome laser.