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August 27, 2005
Cannot remain paperless
This whole week Nathalie's wanted me to buy a printer. Usually I make quick decisions, but this one seems virtually impossible, even though I was almost instantly certain we want a black and white laser printer.
I've studied the suggested printers at LinuxPrinting.org. I've examined various reviews. I've checked many printer descriptions and corresponding toner costs for those printers. I'm only a bit worried that I'd buy a printer not really supported through free software, but that's only a tiny worry these days.
My estimation is that we'll print 1-2 pages per day, that we will thus have to buy toner in 1 1/2 to 3 years, probably after the guarantee wears out on a cheap printer. But then the replacement toner on a really cheap laser printer is such that you'd usually do better to replace the whole thing. (A problem at least as bad with ink jet printers. Never buy an ink jet printer. In fact, never buy a printer if you can avoid it.)
So do I buy a somewhat more expensive printer and hope to keep it? Or do I buy a cheap printer and hope it doesn't break just after the 1 year guarantee runs out? Maybe I've already wasted too much time thinking about this.
Update: Just ordered the cheapest Samsung. I'm sure it'll break down like the other two printers I've bought in my life. I just hope the breakdown happens before the guarantee runs out.
Posted by Mark at August 27, 2005 04:39 PM