Printing BW with a laser

Greetings,

I've printed a few BW shots with a 600dpi HP Laserjet on glossy paper, and

people seem to think they look like retro '50s prints.  Of course, the 
feedback hasn't come from serious photogs, just a few friends and relates.

In a past thread, I noticed that an Epson inkjet with multiple cartridges 
was recommended for serious artistic work, but I'm wondering what some of 
the more dedicated BW guys (or gals) think about the results one gets from
a 
mono laser printer.

Thanks in advance,
Dudley