• Warning about buying a modern printer

    From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Sun Oct 11 04:22:40 2026
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Rhino@3:633/10 to All on Sun Oct 11 09:14:46 2026
    On 2026-10-11 12:22 a.m., Adam H. Kerman wrote:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    My brother had a new HP printer much like the one in the video. The
    first time I tried to use it after he died, it failed with a weird
    error. When I dug into the error, it turned out that a small gear
    somewhere in the mechanism had failed and that this was routine for that printer. There was actually a guy that 3D printed a replacement part for
    it so all you had to do was swap out the broken part with his
    replacement part; he even made a video on how to do it. I tried to
    follow the video just to get the old part out and got lost very quickly
    and gave up. So now that printer just sits unused and unusable. I don't
    know what he spent on it but I had the impression he'd gone for a fairly high-end printer.

    Meanwhile, my Brother colour laser printer, which I bought for a much
    better price than had ever been in reach during a Black Friday sale
    seven or eight years back keeps working. (Mind you, I don't print a lot
    but it works when I do.)

    --
    Rhino

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From shawn@3:633/10 to All on Sun Oct 11 13:13:20 2026
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Your Name@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 10:31:12 2026
    On 2026-10-11 17:13:20 +0000, shawn said:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    The price of ink cartridge printers and official ink cartridges from
    any manufacturer means that it is actually cheaper to just buy a whole
    new inkjet printer rather than waste money with replacement official
    ink cartridges. Third-party "compatible" ink cartridges can be a lot
    cheaper, but even then it can still be cheaper to just buy a new
    printer (assuming any new printer will work with with your aging
    computer).

    A little while back HP started the idiocy whereby their printers *have*
    to be able to connect to the internet to verify official ink
    cratridges, otherwise they won't print. HP's printer driver software on
    the Mac is also very buggy. I won't be buying or advising anyone else
    to buy HP printers of any kind.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From super70s@3:633/10 to All on Sun Oct 11 18:15:45 2026
    On 2026-10-11 21:31:12 +0000, Your Name said:

    On 2026-10-11 17:13:20 +0000, shawn said:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    The price of ink cartridge printers and official ink cartridges from
    any manufacturer means that it is actually cheaper to just buy a whole
    new inkjet printer rather than waste money with replacement official
    ink cartridges. Third-party "compatible" ink cartridges can be a lot cheaper, but even then it can still be cheaper to just buy a new
    printer (assuming any new printer will work with with your aging
    computer).

    A little while back HP started the idiocy whereby their printers *have*
    to be able to connect to the internet to verify official ink
    cratridges, otherwise they won't print. HP's printer driver software on
    the Mac is also very buggy. I won't be buying or advising anyone else
    to buy HP printers of any kind.

    I've used an old Canon Pixma inkjet printer for many years, about the dimensions of a loaf of bread. I've found the "generic" cartridges that
    are sold don't work so well if at all so I always buy the official
    Canon ones. This printer is hard-wired to my older Mac system, I
    suppose I could get a Bluetooth one that would work with my two more
    modern Mac systems but I don't really want to fool with it. And this
    old Canon printer is nice and compact and fits on the top shelf of a
    hutch, a newer one would take up a bigger footprint.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Your Name@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 12:35:59 2026
    On 2026-10-11 23:15:45 +0000, super70s said:
    On 2026-10-11 21:31:12 +0000, Your Name said:
    On 2026-10-11 17:13:20 +0000, shawn said:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    The price of ink cartridge printers and official ink cartridges from
    any manufacturer means that it is actually cheaper to just buy a whole
    new inkjet printer rather than waste money with replacement official
    ink cartridges. Third-party "compatible" ink cartridges can be a lot
    cheaper, but even then it can still be cheaper to just buy a new
    printer (assuming any new printer will work with with your aging
    computer).

    A little while back HP started the idiocy whereby their printers *have*
    to be able to connect to the internet to verify official ink
    cratridges, otherwise they won't print. HP's printer driver software on
    the Mac is also very buggy. I won't be buying or advising anyone else
    to buy HP printers of any kind.

    I've used an old Canon Pixma inkjet printer for many years, about the dimensions of a loaf of bread. I've found the "generic" cartridges that
    are sold don't work so well if at all so I always buy the official
    Canon ones.

    The problem is that the retailers and even the manufacturers phase out
    the cartridges. It is impossible for me to buy any cartridges for my
    old HP inkjet in shops, so have to order them online from printer
    specialist supplier (ink, toner, special papers, etc.) instead. I
    usually get the same brand of "compatible" cartridges which are about
    half the price of the official HP ones. I did once have to buy a
    different brand of "compatible" cartridges, but they were hopeless.

    My previous Epson inkjet also worked well with almost all the brands of "compatible" cartridges I use in it.



    This printer is hard-wired to my older Mac system, I suppose I could
    get a Bluetooth one that would work with my two more modern Mac systems
    but I don't really want to fool with it. And this old Canon printer is
    nice and compact and fits on the top shelf of a hutch, a newer one
    would take up a bigger footprint.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From super70s@3:633/10 to All on Sun Oct 11 19:21:30 2026
    On 2026-10-11 23:35:59 +0000, Your Name said:

    On 2026-10-11 23:15:45 +0000, super70s said:
    On 2026-10-11 21:31:12 +0000, Your Name said:
    On 2026-10-11 17:13:20 +0000, shawn said:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages >>>> so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around >>>> $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    The price of ink cartridge printers and official ink cartridges from
    any manufacturer means that it is actually cheaper to just buy a whole
    new inkjet printer rather than waste money with replacement official
    ink cartridges. Third-party "compatible" ink cartridges can be a lot
    cheaper, but even then it can still be cheaper to just buy a new
    printer (assuming any new printer will work with with your aging
    computer).

    A little while back HP started the idiocy whereby their printers *have* >>> to be able to connect to the internet to verify official ink
    cratridges, otherwise they won't print. HP's printer driver software on >>> the Mac is also very buggy. I won't be buying or advising anyone else
    to buy HP printers of any kind.

    I've used an old Canon Pixma inkjet printer for many years, about the
    dimensions of a loaf of bread. I've found the "generic" cartridges that
    are sold don't work so well if at all so I always buy the official
    Canon ones.

    The problem is that the retailers and even the manufacturers phase out
    the cartridges. It is impossible for me to buy any cartridges for my
    old HP inkjet in shops, so have to order them online from printer
    specialist supplier (ink, toner, special papers, etc.) instead.

    Have you tried eBay? You can usually find printer cartridges there for
    sale even if they've been phased out by the manufacturer and it's
    probably cheaper than a "printer specialist supplier." I'm not sure if
    Canon has quit making the cartridges I use but I can always find some
    on eBay.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Your Name@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 14:04:55 2026
    On 2026-10-12 00:21:30 +0000, super70s said:
    On 2026-10-11 23:35:59 +0000, Your Name said:
    On 2026-10-11 23:15:45 +0000, super70s said:
    On 2026-10-11 21:31:12 +0000, Your Name said:
    On 2026-10-11 17:13:20 +0000, shawn said:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you >>>>> have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages >>>>> so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around >>>>> $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a >>>>> year I'm fine with that.

    The price of ink cartridge printers and official ink cartridges from
    any manufacturer means that it is actually cheaper to just buy a whole >>>> new inkjet printer rather than waste money with replacement official
    ink cartridges. Third-party "compatible" ink cartridges can be a lot
    cheaper, but even then it can still be cheaper to just buy a new
    printer (assuming any new printer will work with with your aging
    computer).

    A little while back HP started the idiocy whereby their printers *have* >>>> to be able to connect to the internet to verify official ink
    cratridges, otherwise they won't print. HP's printer driver software on >>>> the Mac is also very buggy. I won't be buying or advising anyone else >>>> to buy HP printers of any kind.

    I've used an old Canon Pixma inkjet printer for many years, about the
    dimensions of a loaf of bread. I've found the "generic" cartridges that >>> are sold don't work so well if at all so I always buy the official
    Canon ones.

    The problem is that the retailers and even the manufacturers phase out
    the cartridges. It is impossible for me to buy any cartridges for my
    old HP inkjet in shops, so have to order them online from printer
    specialist supplier (ink, toner, special papers, etc.) instead.

    Have you tried eBay? You can usually find printer cartridges there for
    sale even if they've been phased out by the manufacturer and it's
    probably cheaper than a "printer specialist supplier." I'm not sure if
    Canon has quit making the cartridges I use but I can always find some
    on eBay.

    The printer specialist online store I use did have a physical branch
    near me, but they closed that down and now only has one branch on the
    other side of the city. They have probably the cheapest local prices
    and delivery is next day. :-)



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 08:23:24 2026
    shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I just saw a video. A woman was using her printer with a cable, either networked or as a peripheral. The printer stopped working, demanding
    that she enable Wifi. She then got a contract violation notice for using
    a competitor's ink jet cartridge.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Friends kept giving me unwanted laser printers. At some point, I stopped replacing cartridges, just swapped in printers with a bit of toner left.

    While Brother isn't supposed to pull the same "unauthorized cartridge"
    crap, one printer shut down at a specific page count, demanding a
    replacement cartridge. There was probably enough toner remaining for a
    couple hundred sheets. I didn't replace it.

    The last printers were HP LaserJet 4050s, slow workhorse printers that I
    kept because I was able to buy envelope feeders. I have yet to find a
    recent printer with a comparable feature for an office till there are
    expensive ones for mailing houses.

    The 4000 series was from the late '90s. That's what I'm using.

    I'm about to discard the other 6 used printers.

    I once had a very clever laser printer, meant for cubicle dwellers or
    possibly trade show exhibitors. It was designed to stand on the narrow end, perhaps 6 inches wide, placed at the edge of the shelf. It only held 25
    or 50 sheets, but if you didn't have to leave your work area to get your printing, it was useful.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Rhino@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 09:28:47 2026
    On 2026-10-12 4:23 a.m., Adam H. Kerman wrote:
    shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I just saw a video. A woman was using her printer with a cable, either networked or as a peripheral. The printer stopped working, demanding
    that she enable Wifi. She then got a contract violation notice for using
    a competitor's ink jet cartridge.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Friends kept giving me unwanted laser printers. At some point, I stopped replacing cartridges, just swapped in printers with a bit of toner left.

    While Brother isn't supposed to pull the same "unauthorized cartridge"
    crap, one printer shut down at a specific page count, demanding a
    replacement cartridge. There was probably enough toner remaining for a
    couple hundred sheets. I didn't replace it.

    My Brother printer came with the standard propaganda encouraging me to
    buy only Brother laser cartridges but they were pretty pricey so the
    first time I needed one, I decided to try one of the knockoff brands, Moustache. I've had no problem with those. Mind you, I'm only on my
    second cartridge for each colour! Maybe my page count isn't high enough
    to demand the use of Brother cartridges.

    The last printers were HP LaserJet 4050s, slow workhorse printers that I
    kept because I was able to buy envelope feeders. I have yet to find a
    recent printer with a comparable feature for an office till there are expensive ones for mailing houses.

    The 4000 series was from the late '90s. That's what I'm using.

    I'm about to discard the other 6 used printers.

    I once had a very clever laser printer, meant for cubicle dwellers or possibly trade show exhibitors. It was designed to stand on the narrow end, perhaps 6 inches wide, placed at the edge of the shelf. It only held 25
    or 50 sheets, but if you didn't have to leave your work area to get your printing, it was useful.

    That is an unusual design; I've never heard of a printer that was
    sideways like that to get a smaller footprint. But if it's only 6 inches
    wide, I'm assuming it can't handle a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper
    either which would be a deal-breaker for me.

    --
    Rhino

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 14:28:06 2026
    Rhino <no_offline_contact@example.com> wrote:
    On 2026-10-12 4:23 a.m., Adam H. Kerman wrote:
    shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com>:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their >>>cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I just saw a video. A woman was using her printer with a cable, either >>networked or as a peripheral. The printer stopped working, demanding
    that she enable Wifi. She then got a contract violation notice for using
    a competitor's ink jet cartridge.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Friends kept giving me unwanted laser printers. At some point, I stopped >>replacing cartridges, just swapped in printers with a bit of toner left.

    While Brother isn't supposed to pull the same "unauthorized cartridge" >>crap, one printer shut down at a specific page count, demanding a >>replacement cartridge. There was probably enough toner remaining for a >>couple hundred sheets. I didn't replace it.

    My Brother printer came with the standard propaganda encouraging me to
    buy only Brother laser cartridges but they were pretty pricey so the
    first time I needed one, I decided to try one of the knockoff brands, >Moustache. I've had no problem with those. Mind you, I'm only on my
    second cartridge for each colour! Maybe my page count isn't high enough
    to demand the use of Brother cartridges.

    Either the cartridge leaks toner, which is when it streaks, or not. Page
    count doesn't matter. I do remember refilling the toner reservoir in photocopiers from a bottle, which was cheap but messy.

    . . .

    I once had a very clever laser printer, meant for cubicle dwellers or >>possibly trade show exhibitors. It was designed to stand on the narrow end, >>perhaps 6 inches wide, placed at the edge of the shelf. It only held 25
    or 50 sheets, but if you didn't have to leave your work area to get your >>printing, it was useful.

    That is an unusual design; I've never heard of a printer that was
    sideways like that to get a smaller footprint. But if it's only 6 inches >wide, I'm assuming it can't handle a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper
    either which would be a deal-breaker for me.

    I made no comment like that. Six inches describes one outer dimension of
    the unit on the side that contacted the desk surface. It's meant to sit
    at the edge of a desk. It must have the feeder door and printing output
    door opened when operating. These might lean into the aisle if space is especially tight. It had no paper tray, just a feeder that held 25 or 50 sheets, designed to accept letter or legal-sized paper stock. Because
    there is no tray, one doesn't leave any paper in it when not in use.
    It's designed to be space efficient or for portability, not for high volume printing. Eliminating the paper tray allowed it to take up minimal space.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Rhino@3:633/10 to All on Mon Oct 12 12:28:06 2026
    On 2026-10-12 10:28 a.m., Adam H. Kerman wrote:
    Rhino <no_offline_contact@example.com> wrote:
    On 2026-10-12 4:23 a.m., Adam H. Kerman wrote:
    shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com>:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I just saw a video. A woman was using her printer with a cable, either
    networked or as a peripheral. The printer stopped working, demanding
    that she enable Wifi. She then got a contract violation notice for using >>> a competitor's ink jet cartridge.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages >>>> so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Friends kept giving me unwanted laser printers. At some point, I stopped >>> replacing cartridges, just swapped in printers with a bit of toner left.

    While Brother isn't supposed to pull the same "unauthorized cartridge"
    crap, one printer shut down at a specific page count, demanding a
    replacement cartridge. There was probably enough toner remaining for a
    couple hundred sheets. I didn't replace it.

    My Brother printer came with the standard propaganda encouraging me to
    buy only Brother laser cartridges but they were pretty pricey so the
    first time I needed one, I decided to try one of the knockoff brands,
    Moustache. I've had no problem with those. Mind you, I'm only on my
    second cartridge for each colour! Maybe my page count isn't high enough
    to demand the use of Brother cartridges.

    Either the cartridge leaks toner, which is when it streaks, or not. Page count doesn't matter. I do remember refilling the toner reservoir in photocopiers from a bottle, which was cheap but messy.

    For what it's worth, when I had ink jet printers, I often made use of a
    local service that would refill the cartridges for considerably less
    than the cost of a new cartridge. I believe he also refilled toner
    cartridges but that business was in another city; I'm not sure there's a comparable store anywhere near me now but in a city as big as Chicago, I
    have to imagine that you would have such a place.
    . . .

    I once had a very clever laser printer, meant for cubicle dwellers or
    possibly trade show exhibitors. It was designed to stand on the narrow end, >>> perhaps 6 inches wide, placed at the edge of the shelf. It only held 25
    or 50 sheets, but if you didn't have to leave your work area to get your >>> printing, it was useful.

    That is an unusual design; I've never heard of a printer that was
    sideways like that to get a smaller footprint. But if it's only 6 inches
    wide, I'm assuming it can't handle a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper
    either which would be a deal-breaker for me.

    I made no comment like that. Six inches describes one outer dimension of
    the unit on the side that contacted the desk surface. It's meant to sit
    at the edge of a desk. It must have the feeder door and printing output
    door opened when operating. These might lean into the aisle if space is especially tight. It had no paper tray, just a feeder that held 25 or 50 sheets, designed to accept letter or legal-sized paper stock. Because
    there is no tray, one doesn't leave any paper in it when not in use.
    It's designed to be space efficient or for portability, not for high volume printing. Eliminating the paper tray allowed it to take up minimal space.


    I misunderstood your original description, thanks for clearing that up.

    --
    Rhino

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From shawn@3:633/10 to All on Wed Oct 14 19:36:14 2026
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:13:20 -0400, shawn
    <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:

    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Ended up going with a Canon laser printer. A few dollars more than the
    ink jet printer I was looking at but it avoids many of the issues we
    were talking about. Only issue is it's bigger so it will end up
    stuffed in a corner.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Your Name@3:633/10 to All on Thu Oct 15 13:04:40 2026
    On 2026-10-14 23:36:14 +0000, shawn said:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:13:20 -0400, shawn
    <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their
    cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Ended up going with a Canon laser printer. A few dollars more than the
    ink jet printer I was looking at but it avoids many of the issues we
    were talking about. Only issue is it's bigger so it will end up stuffed
    in a corner.

    Some HP laser printers suffer from the same "must be internet
    connected" idiocy that plagued their inkjet printers. Thankfully so
    many people complained about it that HP have finally decided to get rid
    of that nonsense.

    The laser printer toner cartrudges costs more, but should also last
    longer. Colour laser printers will also need each colour in a separate
    toner cartridge (just like an inkjet), which can be a huge expense.

    Laser printers do also have a fuser unit that needs to be replaced
    separately, but they last a long time (depending on the model and page coverage, it can be after 50,000 to 300,000+ pages).

    Personally I would stay well a way from refilled toner cartridges. We
    had no end of problems using refilled cartridges in a work laser
    printer, although that was some years ago and the refilling techniques
    might be better now.

    Epson is meant to be stopping their manufacture and sale of laser
    printers and parts / toners this year in favour of their "green"
    eco-tank inkjet printers. So far the other makers haven't decided to go
    down this suppoedly "green" route ... yet!



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Thu Oct 15 00:17:54 2026
    shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:13:20 -0400, shawn
    <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:

    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their >>cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Ended up going with a Canon laser printer. A few dollars more than the
    ink jet printer I was looking at but it avoids many of the issues we
    were talking about. Only issue is it's bigger so it will end up
    stuffed in a corner.

    You can use an off-brand toner cartridge? It won't refuse to use the
    remsing toner in the cartridge at a specific page count?

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From super70s@3:633/10 to All on Wed Oct 14 19:20:32 2026
    On 2026-10-15 00:04:40 +0000, Your Name said:

    Personally I would stay well a way from refilled toner cartridges. We
    had no end of problems using refilled cartridges in a work laser
    printer, although that was some years ago and the refilling techniques
    might be better now.

    Very early in my home computing days I remember taking someone's tip to
    drill a small hole in an empty inkjet cartridge and refill it yourself.
    After a few experiences with black fingers I abandoned that bright idea.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Thu Oct 15 00:25:56 2026
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

    . . .

    Personally I would stay well a way from refilled toner cartridges. We
    had no end of problems using refilled cartridges in a work laser
    printer, although that was some years ago and the refilling techniques
    might be better now.

    On brand cartridges leak too. An HP cartridge from very old inventory
    leaked and the printer had to be cleaned. We think the old glue failed.

    Some cartridges are "drill and fill". The lousy companies can do a bad
    job. Better companies that remanufacture cartridges check all the parts, replacing any that broke.

    Epson is meant to be stopping their manufacture and sale of laser
    printers and parts / toners this year in favour of their "green"
    eco-tank inkjet printers. So far the other makers haven't decided to go
    down this suppoedly "green" route ... yet!

    I have no idea what's not "green" about laser printing.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From shawn@3:633/10 to All on Wed Oct 14 21:08:47 2026
    On Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:17:54 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
    <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:13:20 -0400, shawn
    <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:

    On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:22:40 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman" >>><ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7UkDskDE8

    HP has been known for years to try and rip people off with their >>>cartridges. Even to the point of adding DRM to the cartridges so you
    have to use their cartridges.

    I'm in need of a printer but only to print off a small amount of pages
    so I'm looking at printers now. Just one like an Epson that is around
    $50 that I'm treating as a throw away. If I need to replace it in a
    year I'm fine with that.

    Ended up going with a Canon laser printer. A few dollars more than the
    ink jet printer I was looking at but it avoids many of the issues we
    were talking about. Only issue is it's bigger so it will end up
    stuffed in a corner.

    You can use an off-brand toner cartridge? It won't refuse to use the
    remsing toner in the cartridge at a specific page count?

    I don't think it will, but it probably won't matter as I'm not sure I
    will need any cartridge beyond what it comes with.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)