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HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

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Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#2
Even if you only print things once a month, a laser printer is far less wasteful in time, money, and bullshit than ink that's perpetually dry or consumed.

Rather than an entry-level laser printer that cannot be economically repaired, a used mid-level enterprise printer is often the cheapest option long term and saves useful electronics from becoming e-waste. Office furniture rental/repo places and secondary markets like eBay have these.

In large enterprises, a printer's cost per page tends to be inversely proportional to (increased) initial acquisition cost and availability of repair parts. Put another way, giving everyone an entry-level printer would be far more expensive in acquisition costs, per-page costs, and an inability to repair them. (hitting TCO 3 ways).

I had a HP LaserJet 4 (released 1992, purchased new ~1994) until 2013 with a used JetDirect card. It had expansion options with cartridges and SIMM RAM and font options, but they weren't strictly needed.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#3

Even if you only print things once a month, a laser printer is far less wasteful in time, money, and bullshit than ink that's perpetually dry or consumed. Rather than an entry-level laser printer that cannot be economically repaired, a used mid-level enterprise printer is often the cheapest option long term and saves useful electronics from becoming e-waste. Office furniture rental/repo places and secondary markets l…

Agreed. I have an HP Color LaserJet Pro and the toner is expensive, but lasts forever if I don't print and the quality is fantastic as well. Plus, they have automatic duplexing which is a must have feature for me.

Newish ones like mine even support AirPrint and NFC printing.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#4

Even if you only print things once a month, a laser printer is far less wasteful in time, money, and bullshit than ink that's perpetually dry or consumed. Rather than an entry-level laser printer that cannot be economically repaired, a used mid-level enterprise printer is often the cheapest option long term and saves useful electronics from becoming e-waste. Office furniture rental/repo places and secondary markets l…

I followed this advice and it's been great. I have a $350 laser Brother printer, my iPhone can find the printer without fiddling with drivers, it wakes up, print, goes back to sleep. Works fine even if I go months without printing. After my last 'free ink forever' HP inkjet that never worked, a working printer is a blessing.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#5

Even if you only print things once a month, a laser printer is far less wasteful in time, money, and bullshit than ink that's perpetually dry or consumed. Rather than an entry-level laser printer that cannot be economically repaired, a used mid-level enterprise printer is often the cheapest option long term and saves useful electronics from becoming e-waste. Office furniture rental/repo places and secondary markets l…

Agreed. I have an HP Color LaserJet Pro and the toner is expensive, but lasts forever if I don't print and the quality is fantastic as well. Plus, they have automatic duplexing which is a must have feature for me. Newish ones like mine even support AirPrint and NFC printing.

Buy color toner refill kits. Melt a hole in the cartridge with a soldering iron, refill it, and seal it with aluminum tape.

Better to spend $70-150 than $300-1200 on new cartridges.

PS: I'm currently in the market for an 5-15 year old HP Color LaserJet but still assessing which model tends to be more reliable. There were a lot of lemon SMB Color LaserJet models. Suggestions welcomed especially by staff IT people who support these things.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#6

Even if you only print things once a month, a laser printer is far less wasteful in time, money, and bullshit than ink that's perpetually dry or consumed. Rather than an entry-level laser printer that cannot be economically repaired, a used mid-level enterprise printer is often the cheapest option long term and saves useful electronics from becoming e-waste. Office furniture rental/repo places and secondary markets l…

Same thing. I have laser Xerox B230 for printing, because constantly dried up ink, especially when you need that printer NOW, was driving me crazy.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#8
post #4

Even if you only print things once a month, a laser printer is far less wasteful in time, money, and bullshit than ink that's perpetually dry or consumed. Rather than an entry-level laser printer that cannot be economically repaired, a used mid-level enterprise printer is often the cheapest option long term and saves useful electronics from becoming e-waste. Office furniture rental/repo places and secondary markets l…

I followed this advice and it's been great. I have a $350 laser Brother printer, my iPhone can find the printer without fiddling with drivers, it wakes up, print, goes back to sleep. Works fine even if I go months without printing. After my last 'free ink forever' HP inkjet that never worked, a working printer is a blessing.

Which brother do you have / recommend? I have been quiet happy with my OKI but the phone connection is the only letdown so far and I might change for a brother in the future.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#9

It's like Mercedes trying to charge a monthly subscription fee for heated seats. When you do something like this to consumers, you lose their trust and you will never gain it back.

Unfortunately, people will misremember and trash unrelated brands' reputations online.

It was BMW.

Re: HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on printers when ink runs low

#10
post #8
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I followed this advice and it's been great. I have a $350 laser Brother printer, my iPhone can find the printer without fiddling with drivers, it wakes up, print, goes back to sleep. Works fine even if I go months without printing. After my last 'free ink forever' HP inkjet that never worked, a working printer is a blessing.

Which brother do you have / recommend? I have been quiet happy with my OKI but the phone connection is the only letdown so far and I might change for a brother in the future.

I don't think you can go wrong with any Brother (or laser printer) as long as you don't need color printing. I have a DCP 1612W only for light printing. It works with Ubuntu, no special drivers required. I've had it for a few years now and I'm still on the toner the printer came with.

If you need color printing, it tends to be expensive.

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