HP’s long-running use of firmware updates that block third-party ink and toner cartridges is drawing scrutiny again – this time under a new global sustainability standard that explicitly forbids the practice.
The International Imaging Technology Council (Int’l ITC), a trade group for cartridge remanufacturers, says HP’s latest printer firmware rollout conflicts with the requirements of the General Electronics Council’s (GEC) updated Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT 2.0.
Me too - the print shop can deal with the issues, i have no problem paying a little extra for not having the headache of troubleshooting printer crap. Although I might get myself a B/W Brother printer for the everyday stuff - my ex sadly got my old one.
I have a Brother color laser - was cheap and it just works.
I know that they are fine - but i haven’t had the need for color prints for ages now outside of 2 occasions where i needed like 5 copies each. For myself i prefer digital only either way. Just in case i really need something like return tickets a b&w printer is enough.
The B&W one costs under 100€, the cheapest brother color laser 300€; the 200€ difference should last decades in the print shop, and the toner cartridges are a lot cheaper for b&w only.