[Novalug] Linux-friendliness of printer manufacturers?

[Joshua Newton]

My Samsung printer (ML-2250) has, unsurprisingly, died-- the USB-client
gadgetry appears to have eaten part of itself --and it's time for a
(cheap, mono) laser printer.  Due to significant budget constraints, I'm
pretty much looking at:

*) A similar Samsung with passing-reasonable reviews on NewEgg what eats
the same toner carts (I still have two, and they cost big $$$)
*) An HP, on the theory that a company that actively supports
development on http://hplipopensource.com/ can't be *all* bad
*) A Brother, because I keep seeing buckets of Linuxy utilities and
doodads and such for Brother devices

I suppose I'm mostly asking whether my OfficeJet experience last night
(mostly positive, but net-scan appears broken) is reasonably universal
and I'm quite safe in buying a (non-MFC) LaserJet, and whether Brother
support (first-party or third-party) really is pretty good.

...also, if anyone knows of a Linux-friendly breakthru in low-cost
colour laser >= 1200x1200dpi-true, that would be (welcome) news to me.
:D