HP forced to ditch popular printer range following user backlash
techradar.com
HP has discontinued its e-series LaserJet printers following widespread consumer dissatisfaction with the printers’ mandatory online connection of the HP+ scheme.
The decision, reported by German media outlet §, addresses growing frustration among users who have been forced to maintain a constant internet connection and use HP original ink and toner, with cheaper and more accessible third-party alternatives prohibited.
The LaserJet e-series models, identifiable by an ‘e’ suffix in their models names, now look to have been pulled from sale.
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So rather than just push a super simple firmware update that disables the always online need, they'd rather just stop selling it, and probably brick these printers in a year or so when they discontinue the service.
Has hp ever done anything to suggest they give a shit about users beyond milking them for all they're worth?
They did provide good first party Linux support where other printer required the use of hacky reverse engineered drivers. Other than that...
https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=dcpl2550dw_us&faqid=faq00100556_000
Both Brother and Samsung drivers are fine IMO, haven't had any problems for 10 years at least with printer drivers on Linux.
And I stopped using HP already in the 90's.
Maybe a dumb take, but I think milking customers for all they're worth is much better option than what HP is seemingly doing --- which is milking them for all they're worth this quarter.
Like, there are companies with a cult like following (Valve comes to mind) and while they could probably increase profit for a quarter or two, they seem to be playing the long game fairly well. Which is ultimately better for everyone --- they get more money over your lifetime, and you get a product that you're happy with.
Oh absolutely, I'm happy to shovel money at valve. I've contacted support quite a few times about index controllers (the joystick switch is trash and drifts after a lot of use) and they've always responded within hours and even RMAd one controller way of it warranty. Meta support responded almost instantly, but every single person was useless. After talking to 6 across 3 days, it was finally escalated. They took forever to contact me, I replied within 12 minutes, then the follow up was over 24 hours later. Every single time it took a day for their "specialist team" to respond. It took over a month to actually get them to accept the fact that they never boxed up the quest I ordered, and they still blamed the shipping company even though I received both packages and the quest was not in either, nor was either box even big enough to fit a fucking quest.
Fuck meta and fuck zuck.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_LaserJet_4
HP was a good company back when they primarily made test equipment. They made very good equipment that was built to last. They had very detailed documentation and service manuals so you could repair everything yourself.
I set the bar too low. A lot of companies used to be fantastic, but apparently that doesn't rake in the cash as fast as being giant pieces of shit.
Firmware update, means the printers keep working with third party ink (HP loses). Bricking them, means you must buy another printer (HP has a 50:50 chance to win).
I don't think that's how probability works.
It is how it works if you are told to make a PowerPoint for senior leadership on how to squeeze the most possible short term money out of this situation
Yup. And 100% risk of loss is worse than even 99% risk of loss to a boardroom.
What else ya’ got under that rock? Cuz’ these things brick themselves if you miss a monthly payment on your ink subscription.
Yes, the laser printer bricks itself if you miss a payment on your ink subscription...
Time to unlock my printer with an opensource firmware