looking for reliable LaserJet for small group

[zsero]

I am looking for a reliable LaserJet for a small group. We are 4 students and we need to print a lot during our studies, so we are looking for something reliable and cheap to run. I had entry-level Samsungs but they 100% died before 10,000 pages, so I don't want any other Samsung.

At the moment I'm thinking about the LaserJet 4000N, 4050N, 4100N or possibly something like 4250N. On the website I've read that 4000 and 4050 are the most reliable but I haven't read anything about 4100 other than the faster speeds and I really don't know anything about 4250N. What printer would you recommend for 4 students mostly printing PDF-s?

Are the 4000N and 4050N that slow?
Is there any difference between 40xx and 41xx in mechanics what would make the 4100 less reliable?
So if speed is not really an issue, but reliability and paper handling are then which one would you recommend?
It would be important that the printer can go on aftermarket toners!

[ridered74]

4000 and 4050 are 16 pages a minute. 4100 is 32 pages a minute. All are very reliable but I'd go with the 4100 because they are a little more reliable and easier to maintain and replace parts.

4200's are also very reliable and easy to maintain. Can't go wrong with any of the models you listed.

[cs_steve]

Any of those models are considered heavy-duty, business-class printer models.

All have good quality aftermarket toners. The 4100 & 4250 will have more memory so they will process the PDF's faster; if you get a 4000 you might want to ask about upgrading the memory a little.

[Compman55]

We are in 2011 now, any reason why you do not desire a color laserjet?

If you want a good color one, a 4650 would be the way to go.

[cs_steve]

If the majority of your prints are black-and-white, it's a huge waste to use a color printer exclusively. If anything, get two printers and use the color printer for color pages only.

Per page, color toner cartridges are WAY more expensive than black and white, usually 5-10 times more expensive. (For example LaserJet 4000 cost for cartridges should be less than 1 cent per page, while a LaserJet 4650 costs about 6 cents per page.)