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.
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.
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