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Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

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Re: Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

#52
post #3

Personally, I never stopped because there are still occasions where the best way to view something is in printed form. Those occasions get fewer by the year of course. For example, in the past I would print directions from MapQuest, and later Google Maps. Phone apps have eliminated the need and made getting directions somewhere much better. On the other hand, I do a lot of interviews and read a lot of résumés. Those…

Uh, which Brother printer is this? We probably go through a cartridge every several months.

5370DW with the standard TN-620 toner cartridge. 3000 page yield. Average of 300 pages printed per year based on the expected yield and how long it took to use up.

Re: Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

#53
post #40
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The same effect can be seen by doing other things, like printing to PDF, or just changing the font to something you don’t normally use. For some reason the change of context itself makes the difference.

I use those methods as well, but nothing seems to beat printing. One thing I like is the ability to write notes directly on the paper using a pen. I have a Wacom Cintiq, so I could conceivably do the same tHing digitaly, but it isn’t the same. Something about the materiality of paper?

Big eInk device with pen support could be an alternative

Re: Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

#54
post #42

I haven’t. I have a Brother laser printer that’s probably 10 years old now, if not closer to 15. I don’t use it frequently, but it comes in handy occasionally. My wife prints a little more than I do. Toner is cheap and lasts forever. I think I’ve been through 4-5 toner carts and 1 drum replacement. If it died, I’d get another. As infrequently as I use one, when you need it it’s nice to have.

Agreed on all points and to add for people who use inkjet style printers: stop. Switch to a low cost black and white laser printer. Unbelievably fast printing, toner never dries out like ink does, printer doesn’t have to dance for 30 seconds before it can print, toner last forever compared to ink.

Even going for a color laser printer isn’t really cost prohibitive any more for anyone with an average income. The Brother entry model is $300 or so and you can use it basically forever.

I say this because I had only b/w for years before finally getting annoyed enough that I upgraded to the color variant.

The only negative is that the thing is so ridiculously big (compared to inkjet or b/w laser).

Re: Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

#56

I haven’t. I have a Brother laser printer that’s probably 10 years old now, if not closer to 15. I don’t use it frequently, but it comes in handy occasionally. My wife prints a little more than I do. Toner is cheap and lasts forever. I think I’ve been through 4-5 toner carts and 1 drum replacement. If it died, I’d get another. As infrequently as I use one, when you need it it’s nice to have.

I also have a brother laser printer. I bought it used in 2011. Brother laser printers from that era are alright. It got used this morning.

It just occurred to me that the other brother printer I bought in like 2004 is still in use at my parents house. These things are tanks.

Re: Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

#57

10 years ago. I’m in Japan and I go to the nearest convenience store, transfer the pdf document to the printer and get a clean print. I only use the printer for two pages a month to post the document, stamped with my company hanko, to a traditional Japanese big company. The only time that I regret not having a printer is when it is pouring with rain on print day. Why? Because dried up ink was a rip off.

Toner printers work really well, and don’t “dry up”. If you’re printing on a regular basis, I cannot see why you wouldn’t get a good quality laser printer. If you don’t have room in your desk or something, that makes sense, but if that’s the only reason, I recommend looking further into it.

Re: Ask HN: When did you stop using a printer and why?

#59
post #41

I still use one. It took me getting a HP color laser that did double-sided printing, with good network support - to enjoy printing. No "your yellow has run out, you can't print black" bullshit. I actually get a large number of pages per toner. The toners aren't joined. It just works, and is reasonably fast enough for home use. I find its really useful for organizing home things, printing off the odd invoice to mail a…

Seconded on a duplexing laser with network support. Makes all the difference in the world to be able to print nothing for 90 days then to casually drop 100+ flawless pages.

Biggest trick is finding replacement toner once every couple of years.

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