Is there already a conspiracy theory as to why #printers always fail completely when you want to #print the most urgent and important documents? If not, let's invent one! 😈
"#HP CEO Says They Brick #Printers That Use Third-Party Ink Because of … Hackers
The company says it wants to protect you from “viruses.” Experts are skeptical."
While I used color pen plotters in the late 80s as part of my schoolwork and internship using AutoCAD, I never knew such things existed as pen-based printers for home use.
I would have LOVED one of these when I was younger.
I would still love to get one and maintain one today.
TIL: the Silver Reed Color PenGraph EB50. While I used color pen plotters in the late 80s as part of my schoolwork and internship using AutoCAD, I never knew such things existed as pen-based printers for home use. I would have LOVED one of these when I was younger. I would still love to get one and maintain one today. #RetroComputing#Printers#PenPlotter
TIL: the Silver Reed Color PenGraph EB50. While I used color pen plotters in the late 80s as part of my schoolwork and internship using AutoCAD, I never knew such things existed as pen-based printers for home use. I would have LOVED one of these when I was younger. I would still love to get one and maintain one today. #RetroComputing#Printers#PenPlotter
#HP said in January that it hoped and dreamed to make #printing a #subscription. Now, the company has done just that, with the All-In Plan that allows HP customers a limited number of printed pages per month for a monthly fee, with a two-year commitment and potential overage charges, too. #printers
Never buy a laser printer that doesn't have PostScript. (It used to be an expensive extra, it isn't any more.)
Never buy a laser printer that requires driver software. (If it has PostScript, the most it should need is a PPD file to use with the PostScript driver your OS already has built in.)
Avoid buying inkjet printers. If you must buy one, get one that you can refill from bottles of ink, and make sure it supports IPP or AirPrint so you don't need drivers. Never buy an inkjet printer that takes ink cartridges.
These days, the only reason printers need driver software is that the manufacturer wanted to cut development costs for a product that they don't expect to support long term. That or enshittification.
Following these guidelines doesn't guarantee your printer won't suck, but they make it much more likely that it'll be at least OK.
Beyond that, check reviews for the cost per page, and buy accordingly.
Not buying it. Printers are the biggest scam ever. I have not printed a single sheet for ages. Kodak moment for HP. Their source of revenue is drying out - pun intended.
#HP's CEO made the bullshit claim that they block third-party #InkCartridges from their #printers in order to fight viruses.
Many #security experts agree that it's a highly unlikely attack vector, which confirms that it's a greedy move in order to protect their IP and subscription model https://arstechnica.com/?p=1997422
I thought I couldn't hate HP printers any more than I currently do, but HP's CEO gave me a new reason to hate them.
"Our long-term objective is to make printing a subscription."
Bricking printers when they detect third-party ink, and trying to turn printing from your own printer into a subscription service. What does the customer stand to gain from any of this? Nothing.
I have preferred #HP#printers for many years, as they usually work pretty well in Linux out-of-the-box. And the hplip package has also enabled all the networking features on MFP devices pretty nicely.
I've also preferred laser printers over ink, as the toner can last for years while ink can dry out.
But that time is now past. I don't trust that company any more.
If an ink cartridge is the vulnerable spot to inject #malware into a #printer, then I'd say there's something extremely bad in the firmware.
And when that potential attack vector is being used as an excuse to FORCE users to only use HP ink cartridges and make the printer non-functional (potentially bricking it) if you use third-party cartridges, that even makes it way worse. Those are printers customers HAVE BOUGHT. NONE agreed to a rental service.
But wait, there's more! HP wants to provide ink cartridges via a subscription service.
If I ever need a new printer ... it's gonna be an Epson or Brother, I think. I dunno yet, lots of research will be needed, to check how the Linux support will be.
"Every time a customer buys a printer, it's an investment for us. We are investing in that customer, and if that customer doesn't print enough or doesn't use our supplies, it's a bad investment."
Best printer 2024, best printer for home use, office use, printing labels, printer for school, homework printer you are a printer we are all printers (www.theverge.com)
After a full year of not thinking about printers, the best printer is still whatever random Brother laser printer that’s on sale.