->  Yep, some of those old dot matrix printers
->  produced pretty good copy, especially the 24 PIN.
->  Being a minimalist, I consider mine "good
->  enough," considering that the print-outs probably
->  just end up getting tossed after awhile. And then,
->  these machines hold up fairly well, with very
->  little upkeep, a major concern here.

That still is true. the old Dot Matrix. At least the Quality Models like
my Epson LQ 870, just keep on running. Just like the Eveready Battery
Bunny!!  :-)  :-)
And the comment about the printed page having a short life is also very
true. 
Kinda a case of "IF it Wroks, DON'T Fix it"  :-)

  
->  Trouble is the tractor type paper is getting more
->  and more expensive as less and less people use
->  it. Which is why I'm now becoming interested in
->  the lasers, which I understand uses standard xerox
->  type paper.
                                              
They do use Standard Copier paper. In the early days of Laser Printers
they were a little picky aobut the paper. But most anything works now
days. I just picked up two Reams of Georgia Pacific Copier paper from
Wal-Mart for $2.87 per ream. And I have seen specials on 10 ream boxes
at Office supply stores in the region of $16.00 
The only hooker is the toner cartridges. CHECK first on the cost of the
replacements before buying any laser. But even so it is the Cheapest per
copy copy there is now days. 


->  I hesitate making the switch because now that I'm
->  set up with dot matrix repair manuals, and have
->  more or less have become familiar with the dot
->  matrix mechanisms, I just wonder what hassles the
->  lasers have in store.

I don't want to find out. But in the business world the name brands have
provem phenominialy trouble free.
The only thing that I recall is that periodic Cleaning extends the time
in between troubles. 

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