Throughout my life i have set up a multitude of different printers. None of them have been a pleasant experience. Why is this, and is there a printer that is actually good?

Order of priorities:

  1. Free/open software and hardware
  2. Available ink/toner and spares
  3. No connectivity “dumb as a rock”

Print quality really doesent matter unless it is really bad. Of course, im willing to make sacrifices on all of these points, but you get the gist.

Any suggestions for models that comes even close to any of these requirements?

  • cstine@lemmy.uncomfortable.business
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    1 year ago

    The closest thing you’re likely to get is a black and white Brother laser.

    It’s as open as a printer is likely to ever be in terms of driver support, the availability of parts is reasonable, and you plug the thing in via USB and then forget it exists until you need to print something.

    I have a 2300D I’ve had for most of a decade now and the only thing I’ve had to do is put paper in it.

    • Nioxic@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      My wireless brother is also setup and forget. So long as you keep the same wifi name and pw it will alway work. Ive moved 4 times with it and theres not been as much as a single misprint or anything

      Also a black/white laserprinter, bought in 2015

    • HousePanther@lemmy.goblackcat.com
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      1 year ago

      That’s a good unit! The fuser assembly in that one is bulletproof. I won’t recommend or buy anything except for Brother laser printers.

    • psmt@lemmy.pcft.eu
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      1 year ago

      Got the same printer, it’s also great if you don’t print a lot. I’m still on the same third party toner from 7+ years ago. Never again will I buy an inkjets printer.

      • JetAnhyzer@ttrpg.network
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        1 year ago

        The whole reason I bought a laser printer. I was sick of paying $20 every time I printed something once a month or so. 100% worth it.