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Printer Buying Guide (Summer 2016) in Computer Peripherals · Aug 15, 2016

wiredotter14 said:Got any actual sources for that besides your own theories?

I've seen printers where the printhead died even though they only ever used genuine ink.

Besides, for a device that costs $233, who cares if the head gives out after 100 refills? If it lasts two years—which is basically the length of the warranty an American retailer is required to honor—then it paid for itself.
On the flip side, if you barely use it, neglect is actually what's going to kill it.

It’s not a theory.

HP machines rarely break down.

Just ask any HP service center how many faulty units they actually get sent.

And when they do come in, it's usually because the scanner is busted.

With the printers themselves, the only things that typically fail are things like the belt tension or maybe a drive gear snapping and slipping. But those are easy enough to fix quickly.

That’s not the issue here.

The issue is that HP only cares about your money. They've hired top-tier experts from every field specifically to design and engineer their devices with that single goal in mind.

Printer Buying Guide (Summer 2016) in Computer Peripherals · Aug 15, 2016

Chris Mitchell4 said:What’s the actual lifespan here?
Now this HP has made the shortlist too.
Which one of the two would you guys pick?

You have to understand one thing. HP only cares about you until they've successfully taken your money.

To keep that cash flowing indefinitely, they actually have to build a machine that doesn't die immediately. If it breaks too fast, HP loses that steady stream of income. It's simple math.

That's all there is to it. Just a freshly minted, debt-driven slave system.

It’s like taking out a loan from a bank in Switzerland. You don't think the guy working at the local shopping mall would bother explaining where the catch is.

Wake up. It's the same story here.

Printer Buying Guide (Summer 2016) in Computer Peripherals · Aug 15, 2016

darkowl72 said:So, let's say this one is a pretty decent option:

https://www.staples.com/multifunction-printer-black-100730293

It works fine and actually has a few "advanced" features. As far as ink goes—at least from what I’ve heard—it handles third-party, cheaper ink without much drama. I’ve used OrInk before; you can find it in plenty of places and it’s cheap.

The most important thing is checking which reliable, budget-friendly inks are available at the stores you actually visit... the ones near your house. Any ink is going to get expensive if you're ordering single cartridges and paying shipping every time. So, pick your printer based on that, because they're all more or less similar in specs; the real difference is just the running cost (paper + ink).

With inkjets, you have to be careful not to let the ink sit in there too long without using it. If it sits, the heads clog, which usually means tossing the whole machine. 😬 Plus, you only get a "demo" amount of ink with the printer—just enough for maybe 10-20 prints—so it's smarter to just buy a full set of ink right away.

Just be smart about transitioning from original cartridges to those with ORIGINAL CHIPS. In practice, it turns out about 5% of third-party chips are sketchy and end up wrecking the print head. Then the head messes up the matrix. Once you put a new head in a printer like that, the repaired matrix ends up wrecking the new head.

Maybe check with a local Canon service center to see how many of these printers they deal with. And ask them if they're even willing to install their own new head into your device.

Their answer will tell you everything you need to know about the problem. And how short the lifespan of one of those Canon devices really is because of it.

Looking for HP Deskjet 845c drivers in Computer Peripherals · Jun 13, 2016

Gregory Scott4 said:I don't get it. Explain yourself.

I mean, you obviously have some kind of internet setup with two Ethernet ports, an antenna, and WiFi capability.

Basically, take one PC, install Windows XP on it, and load up the driver for the DJ 845. Set it up as a shared printer. Then, on a second Windows 7 PC, just hop on the network and print to that shared device. Simple enough.

I actually picked up a perfectly functional machine running XP recently for $17. You can usually snag a keyboard for $3.25, and if you're lucky, someone might even toss you a mouse and a monitor just to clear out their old junk.

Looking for HP Deskjet 845c drivers in Computer Peripherals · Jun 13, 2016

Gregory Scott4 said:If you can't track it down, just set up a VM ( https://www.vmware.com/products/player ). Then, throw Windows XP into the virtual machine. Give that XP instance just one core and a decent chunk of RAM, then install the specific XP drivers for that printer. Honestly, it’s the only way to get those ancient printers working under Windows 7.
For example, an HP1000lj:

It’d probably be easier to just grab a cheap PC for $17. Connect it to the network via Wi-Fi and share it from there.

Get a modern printer—cheap prints, built-in Wi-Fi... easy.

Best laser printer under $90? in Computer Peripherals · Jun 10, 2016

mellowsurfer59 said:You thinking about how much toner you can actually get out of this? If you’re only printing 250 pages a month, it’s fine.

If that works for you, just head over to Walmart. Find the shelf where the box says laser printer + $167. Grab it and take it to the checkout

Honestly, what's on the box doesn't even matter. You aren't going to get any special treatment just because some big-name brand is printed on the packaging when the shelf clearly said $167

Best laser printer under $90? in Computer Peripherals · Jun 10, 2016

mellowsurfer59 said:I don't get it. What kind of fingerprints are you talking about?

I mean, how many invoices can you actually print before you've burned through your entire $167 stash of cash
?

Best laser printer under $90? in Computer Peripherals · Jun 10, 2016

mellowsurfer59 said:We're printing maybe 200 to 300 pages a month. It’s just a property management firm, so we mostly just churn out invoices for the HOA, memos, late notices—that kind of thing. Usually, it all happens in the first three business days of the month, and then for the rest of the month, we just print the occasional random document.

I mean, looking at my own setup at home, I picked up a laser printer about five or six years ago for $200. I still use it every single day, and honestly, I haven't even swapped the toner yet. For a small, budget-friendly device, it's fine.

But you still have to decide how many pages you actually want out of that $167. If you don't care about the math, you just head to a big-box store like Best Buy, grab whatever laser printer is sitting on the shelf, and call it a day. You won't give it a second thought. Then, later on, you go back to the same store, pick up a replacement toner for maybe $150 - $83, and your brain can go back to sleep until next time.

It all ends up being the same deal regardless of which machine you grab. Just pick one and don't overthink it; no need to give yourself a headache over unnecessary details.

Best laser printer under $90? in Computer Peripherals · Jun 10, 2016

mellowsurfer59 said:Hey there.

Looking for some advice. Need a black-and-white laser printer for a small office, budget is around $167.

Thanks.

How many pages are included in the Startup package for that $167

$90,000
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
or 4000

CISS printers: Canon PIXMA G-series vs. Epson L-series in Computer Peripherals · Jun 7, 2016

Joshua Adams5 said:Hey everyone. Quick question about the Epson L220.

Does anyone actually own this thing? What’s the real-world experience like? I saw there's an extended warranty option available, but what does that actually cover? Some fine print suggested the print head isn't included. Has anyone dealt with a dead print head before the standard 12 months were even up?

Thanks in advance.

Let's be real here—the L220 is basically just an Epson XP series with a CISS system slapped on it. Same print quality, same speed, same print head, same ink consumption. It's the exact same machine.

Over the last few weeks, we've had a front-row seat to a string of failures involving the Epson XP series.

Here's how they went down, in order:
One started leaking ink after finishing its programmed cycle.
Needed a reset second.
The second one had a paper tray jam. Only hit about 400 prints on the counter before it was headed for the landfill.
The third one was the same story—needed a reset, but the reset failed.
The fourth wouldn't recognize third-party cartridges. Straight to the trash. It works fine with permanent tanks, though.
Then there's the fifth new cat. This one managed to have a broken tray pin before it even left shipping. You can't find replacement parts for it anywhere, so it's also toast.

In every single one of these cases, the print head was perfectly fine once cleaned.

Bottom line: the L220's issue isn't the print head. The issue is that it's a printer made of paper held together by a decent print head. If you have zero patience or a short fuse, just stay away.

Looking for HP Deskjet 845c drivers in Computer Peripherals · Jun 5, 2016

Jesse Ward45 said:Unfortunately, no. The software just scans everything and tells me to go find a driver on the network or my PC. I’m well aware of that... I need actual help here.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Windows...it/td-p/129896

It's a shame. It's actually a decent machine

A generic replacement runs about $67 while you could refill Black ink for maybe 40ml. Compare that to these new printers from companies like Epson or Canon where you get 5-10ml of black and they still cost $100.

Looking for HP Deskjet 845c drivers in Computer Peripherals · Jun 4, 2016

Jesse Ward45 said:I'm hunting for a driver for an HP DeskJet 845c on Windows 7. It seems to have vanished from the face of the earth. Any leads? Thanks.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/printers/hppiw/hppiw.exe

Issues with my HP Envy series printer in Computer Peripherals · May 20, 2016

Brandon Ross5 said:Thanks a ton, hollowmarlin27, for the help and the advice. I'll try running the drivers from the CD, but could you clarify one thing? Are we talking about the printer CD or the graphics card one? Sorry if I'm being a pain, just want to make sure I don't screw this up... Have a good weekend, hollowmarlin27. 😵

The printer one.

It’s pretty easy to have some kind of system reset where Windows 7 just automatically installs its own stripped-down version without the actual STATUS Monitor software included.

Especially if you're running some bootleg version of Windows.

Issues with my HP Envy series printer in Computer Peripherals · May 20, 2016

Brandon Ross5 said:I need some help with my HP Envy series. No matter how I tweak the Speed & Progress settings, when I try to print using the multimeter mask, the progress window just stays blank. Is there any actual reason for this to happen? I've already installed the latest drivers. The only recent change was swapping out my graphics card—installed the new hardware along with the newest software and drivers from the manufacturer's site. Since everything else seems fine between the PC and the printer, could the new GPU be the culprit behind the missing progress bar? I'm running Windows 7 32-bit, x86. For context: IE11, 3.2GB RAM, and a 3.20 GHz Dual-core CPU. Thanks in advance for any help, 🙂

Just try the drivers from the CD and see if that works.

Canon Color imageCLASS MF series reviews? in Computer Peripherals · May 19, 2016

Michael Jackson10 said:The old rule still holds water: don't mess with a laser printer if you aren't going to give it an actual cooling fan...
And let's be real, manufacturers aren't exactly losing money by being cheap. Who’s going to buy their stuff if they keep making printers that are actually durable, solid, and overbuilt? When I tracked down a decent, used Brother HL-L2350DW, I ditched those "toasters" with toners the size of a smear of thermal paste immediately. Honestly, those cheap things almost made me want to just hold onto the paper myself instead of feeding them through.
With Microsoft solutions, the issue is they basically slap a "pro" label on a basic printer and expect it to handle everything. It wasn't engineered from the ground up for longevity. They design these for SOHO users who barely touch them, but then we come along and push them right to the edge.
Then there's the constant cycle of "breakthrough" inkjet multifunctions marketed for office use—supposedly robust and cost-effective. Usually, they just die the second the warranty expires, even if you baby them with genuine ink. What’s the point of "economical" when the internal mechanics feel like a Hershey's toy...

And how do you explain that to consumers? You know, the ones acting like ISIS sheep, desperate for the latest thing, willing to scrape their last dollar off a credit card just to be first in line.

The political fixers know exactly how to play them. That's why they moved the whole operation closer to home.

Canon Color imageCLASS MF series reviews? in Computer Peripherals · May 19, 2016

Kenneth Hayes60 said:Hey there! Does anyone happen to know where I can find a replacement drum for this model?

Look, with these mid-range color lasers, it’s rarely actually the drum causing the headache.

The real culprit is usually the scanner unit.

More often than not, the scanner unit gives up the ghost right after the warranty expires. And just like that, your whole investment goes down the drain.
Fixing it isn't worth the cash. You get capacitors failing because they've basically been slow-cooking under the heat from the 600W fuser sitting right under the scanner.
And if you try to be smart and use third-party toner cartridges,
Say goodbye to your warranty.
Plus, some of them act up depending on the season—leaking in the winter but fine in the summer. It makes troubleshooting a nightmare because HP specifically calibrated the thing for their own branded toner, not those cheap knockoffs.
Total joke.

Anyway, how much did this thing even cost you in the first place?

Best printer under $75? in Computer Peripherals · May 5, 2016

Drew Castillo5 said:My take on it:
I’ve been running a Xerox 3140 for a few years now. It’s clocked about 12,000 pages, and I’ve gone through $57 toner, which covers roughly 2,500 pages. It sits right on the floor, constantly covered in sawdust from the workshop, and hasn't missed a beat.

You want to know why?

Because the hardware was built to handle 2,500 prints easily. Modern lasers use the same mechanics from those old machines, but they pair them with toners rated for 2,500 to 7,000 pages—all while costing around $600. Basically, time proved that over-engineering the internals was overkill. There’s just no point in putting that kind of durability into a budget printer line.

Best printer under $75? in Computer Peripherals · May 5, 2016

Joshua Ramos14 said:So what's your actual solution here? If we're playing it that way, maybe I should just drag out that spare Canon ir5075n sitting in the corner waiting for better days and use it for, what, 20 pages a week?

Give me a real example of what's actually worth buying for around $110-$130 then.

It's easy to say "you're losing money here" or "you're saving money there." Give me a concrete scenario. Which printer actually makes sense if you're printing a few hundred pages a year?

P.S. Where on earth did you find those burgers, man? 👏

EDIT:

With this P1102W, let's say it hits 500 prints—that's plenty for a year, maybe two. Then it's no big deal to grab an original toner and get another year or two out of it, assuming nothing else breaks. Besides, it's just for black and white anyway; color isn't even on the menu.

Sorry, no concrete answer from me. Why?
Because we’re living in times that aren't much different from feudalism. Basically, the second you touch the interests of some lord (read: distributor or importer), you can expect an inquisition and a bonfire.

You have the tools, so deal with the headache if you don't want to be treated like some wide-eyed peasant.

Or just look at what's being offered in the biggest feudal system in the world. Over there, the peasants are slightly better educated, so obviously, other options exist.

Which means if they're offering something over there, there's clearly a market for it—customers who see things our local peasants miss.

http://refurbexperts.com/category/49/HP-Mono-Printers

http://www.gtprinters.com/HP-Printers/
http://www.printertechs.com/shop/printers?

Clearly, these aren't printers meant to be disposable.

Best printer under $75? in Computer Peripherals · May 5, 2016

Joshua Ramos14 said:So, you're basically telling me that if I'm only printing, say, 10 pages a week, it's actually smarter to just drop the cash upfront $500 for a printer. Personally, I'd rather shell out $500-$200, then just buy a brand new one in three years or so.

After doing a bit more browsing, this one looks like a win-win situation to me. Does anyone here actually have experience with it?

Not really. $200

It comes with a starter toner rated for 500 pages. Once you hit that limit, you can't refill that specific starter cartridge for more than those initial 500 pages.
There's a toner kit available for $17 that gives you another 2 * 500 pages.
Or, you could go with a third-party replacement toner that does 1,000 to 1,500 pages for about $100 - $50.

But here's the catch: the second you pop a third-party toner into that HP LaserJet P1102W, your warranty is dead. And if you try to sell the printer after using up the starter toner and swapping in a cheap replacement, nobody is going to give you even $150 - $67
.
Basically, you're pulling $267 out of your wallet today, and two months later, you're sitting on an $800+ $50 debt on your Diners credit card. And to pay off that balance, the best you might manage to scrape together is $67.

That's my two cents on the matter.

Best printer under $75? in Computer Peripherals · May 5, 2016

Joshua Ramos14 said:Look, I get it. The last printer I picked up was easily in the $13,000 - $16,000 range :klap: ....so now, when I need a basic home printer to churn out maybe 300 pages a year, I’m not looking to drop a fortune just to end up buying a new one in 3 or 4 years anyway. So, whatever. Besides, if I need color or anything over 100 pages, I'll just send it to a local photo lab and be done with it in five minutes.

I'm looking for something cheap with Wi-Fi so I don't have to deal with cables. I know the drill—"buy cheap, buy twice"—but honestly, I don't want to sink a ton of money into this. I feel like finding a halfway decent printer at this price point is harder than finding a good one for $1,500+.

A printer that used to cost $1,500+ from the manufacturer probably cost at least $167
And the one that costs $167 today actually costs $50 once you factor in inflation.

So, it makes sense that the one costing $50 lasts x years, while the one costing 3* $50 lasts 3 * x years.

Maybe go ask people who dropped $167 how many years x actually turned out to be in their case.