I was actually hoping to find an old wired ethernet printer that I can print to from my old Macs as well as from the new ones, but it's very inconvenient to track down the right model, and one that has all the parts.

I think I'll go with the Brother. Since I won't be printing every day switching it off between uses isn't that much of an inconvenience. I'm guessing it keeps the heating element on during standby. If I need volumes or colour I can just go to the university, I hardly use any of my yearly quota anyway.