HP locks down their inkjet printers even worse

[thewayne]

They pushed an update that completely blocks third-party ink! If anything but a new or used HP cartridge is inserted, an error is displayed on the LCD and the printer refuses to work.

They people continue to buy HP inkjet printers, I do not know. Now I won't touch their lasers, personally. In fact, I don't know a single piece of equipment that I would consider buying. They have proven themselves to be massively consumer un-friendly and I am happy to shop with my feet and dollars elsewhere.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/customers-fume-as-hp-blocks-third-party-ink-from-more-of-its-printers/

Comments

[acelightning73]

I have owned HP printers, and HP computers, and they all sucked. Printer ink is like razor blades - trick them into buying proprietary refills, cause the other brands don't work in what you have. I see ads for printers with "infinite ink tanks", and I don't know how they work, but it's a hell of an idea.

[thewayne]

I've seen those 'infinite' ads also, I'm not sure what's going on.  Part of me suspects they have you on a subscription service and when the printer senses you're down to 5-10% remaining, they send you a new one.  But I don't know.

[acelightning73]

There's no way to make an ink container hold a lifetime supply of ink, without some dimensional chicanery. And the contract details would have to be something you sign when you buy the device.