▲ 1191 ▼ Brother accused of locking down third-party printer ink cartridges via forced firmware updates, removing older firmware versions from support portals [see comments] (www.tomshardware.com) submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by misk@sopuli.xyz to c/technology@lemmy.world 247 comments fedilink hide all child comments Brother deny the claims: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/brother-denies-using-firmware-updates-to-brick-printers-with-third-party-ink/ via https://startrek.website/comment/15279250
[–] nul9o9@lemmy.world 68 points 2 years ago (19 children) Epson inkjets with refillable tanks probably. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 19 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 91 points 2 years ago (15 children) Depending on the frequency of your printing, they can suck as well. Chronically clogged nozzles are maddening. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 15 child comments replies: [–] darkevilmac@lemmy.zip 21 points 2 years ago (7 children) You can run a power clean cycle which should help, then just replace the foam pads they saturate with ink for the cleaning They're not perfect but they're still the most consumer friendly option on the market at this point permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 years ago* (6 children) After talking to support 15 times, they never suggested replacing anything, and power clean wasn’t enough. I’ve long since destroyed the thing out of malignant rage and turned to libraries and copy shops, but it’s good to know that there might have been a solution. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (4 children) Wait until copy shops start raising their prices cause nobody has printers anymore and you have no choice but to use them permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago (1 child) Still cost me less than a new printer every two years if they multiplied their prices by 10. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) a personal printer/ink is far more expensive. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent [–] rarbg@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 years ago Aliexpress syringe cleaning kit permalink fedilink source parent [–] nul9o9@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago Yeah, that's true. That was a pain in the ass when my wife needed good color accuracy. permalink fedilink source parent [–] snek_boi@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children) This. My partner’s office is stuck with “it has to be inkjet and not toner", and on January their printer got clogged… permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Inkjet is great, for photo printing regularly. For absolutely every other situation a laser printer is better. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago ink jet ones are so messy, and it waste a ton of ink. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ulrich@feddit.org 5 points 2 years ago I have the 2850. Been using it for a couple years now. Print maybe once a month. Nozzles get clogged periodically but you run the automated cleaning process and it's back to working again. permalink fedilink source parent [–] ThePantser@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) I don't print that often but I do have a calendar event to tell me to print something monthly. This could be a nice side project for someone to write a program that sends a print to your printer on a schedule to keep the heads clear. Wastes paper but at least the heads won't dry out. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 years ago I reuse old paper when I do this. permalink fedilink source parent [–] atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 years ago Did they ever make the excess ink parts user replaceable? That they weren’t in some models kept me from getting one when I was in the market a few years ago. permalink fedilink source parent [–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 years ago That printer is a nightmare. But financially makes sense. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rozz@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 2 years ago The printer has the same ink problems, clogged, runs out easy, can't print b&w when missing a color. But I can buy random ink. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 91 points 2 years ago (15 children) Depending on the frequency of your printing, they can suck as well. Chronically clogged nozzles are maddening. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 15 child comments replies: [–] darkevilmac@lemmy.zip 21 points 2 years ago (7 children) You can run a power clean cycle which should help, then just replace the foam pads they saturate with ink for the cleaning They're not perfect but they're still the most consumer friendly option on the market at this point permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 years ago* (6 children) After talking to support 15 times, they never suggested replacing anything, and power clean wasn’t enough. I’ve long since destroyed the thing out of malignant rage and turned to libraries and copy shops, but it’s good to know that there might have been a solution. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (4 children) Wait until copy shops start raising their prices cause nobody has printers anymore and you have no choice but to use them permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago (1 child) Still cost me less than a new printer every two years if they multiplied their prices by 10. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) a personal printer/ink is far more expensive. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent [–] rarbg@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 years ago Aliexpress syringe cleaning kit permalink fedilink source parent [–] nul9o9@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago Yeah, that's true. That was a pain in the ass when my wife needed good color accuracy. permalink fedilink source parent [–] snek_boi@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children) This. My partner’s office is stuck with “it has to be inkjet and not toner", and on January their printer got clogged… permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Inkjet is great, for photo printing regularly. For absolutely every other situation a laser printer is better. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago ink jet ones are so messy, and it waste a ton of ink. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ulrich@feddit.org 5 points 2 years ago I have the 2850. Been using it for a couple years now. Print maybe once a month. Nozzles get clogged periodically but you run the automated cleaning process and it's back to working again. permalink fedilink source parent [–] ThePantser@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) I don't print that often but I do have a calendar event to tell me to print something monthly. This could be a nice side project for someone to write a program that sends a print to your printer on a schedule to keep the heads clear. Wastes paper but at least the heads won't dry out. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 years ago I reuse old paper when I do this. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] darkevilmac@lemmy.zip 21 points 2 years ago (7 children) You can run a power clean cycle which should help, then just replace the foam pads they saturate with ink for the cleaning They're not perfect but they're still the most consumer friendly option on the market at this point permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 years ago* (6 children) After talking to support 15 times, they never suggested replacing anything, and power clean wasn’t enough. I’ve long since destroyed the thing out of malignant rage and turned to libraries and copy shops, but it’s good to know that there might have been a solution. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (4 children) Wait until copy shops start raising their prices cause nobody has printers anymore and you have no choice but to use them permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago (1 child) Still cost me less than a new printer every two years if they multiplied their prices by 10. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) a personal printer/ink is far more expensive. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent [–] rarbg@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 years ago Aliexpress syringe cleaning kit permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 years ago* (6 children) After talking to support 15 times, they never suggested replacing anything, and power clean wasn’t enough. I’ve long since destroyed the thing out of malignant rage and turned to libraries and copy shops, but it’s good to know that there might have been a solution. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (4 children) Wait until copy shops start raising their prices cause nobody has printers anymore and you have no choice but to use them permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago (1 child) Still cost me less than a new printer every two years if they multiplied their prices by 10. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) a personal printer/ink is far more expensive. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent [–] rarbg@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 years ago Aliexpress syringe cleaning kit permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (4 children) Wait until copy shops start raising their prices cause nobody has printers anymore and you have no choice but to use them permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago (1 child) Still cost me less than a new printer every two years if they multiplied their prices by 10. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) a personal printer/ink is far more expensive. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago (1 child) Still cost me less than a new printer every two years if they multiplied their prices by 10. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago yup and your not using a printer every single day. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 point 2 years ago (1 child) a personal printer/ink is far more expensive. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Anivia@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago Not for me, 40€ toner cartridge gets me 10k pages, already have over 80k pages printed so the printer paid itself multiple times compared to a copyshop permalink fedilink source parent
[–] rarbg@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 years ago Aliexpress syringe cleaning kit permalink fedilink source parent
[–] nul9o9@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago Yeah, that's true. That was a pain in the ass when my wife needed good color accuracy. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] snek_boi@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children) This. My partner’s office is stuck with “it has to be inkjet and not toner", and on January their printer got clogged… permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Inkjet is great, for photo printing regularly. For absolutely every other situation a laser printer is better. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago ink jet ones are so messy, and it waste a ton of ink. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Inkjet is great, for photo printing regularly. For absolutely every other situation a laser printer is better. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago ink jet ones are so messy, and it waste a ton of ink. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 5 points 2 years ago I have the 2850. Been using it for a couple years now. Print maybe once a month. Nozzles get clogged periodically but you run the automated cleaning process and it's back to working again. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ThePantser@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 child) I don't print that often but I do have a calendar event to tell me to print something monthly. This could be a nice side project for someone to write a program that sends a print to your printer on a schedule to keep the heads clear. Wastes paper but at least the heads won't dry out. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 years ago I reuse old paper when I do this. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 years ago I reuse old paper when I do this. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 years ago Did they ever make the excess ink parts user replaceable? That they weren’t in some models kept me from getting one when I was in the market a few years ago. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 years ago That printer is a nightmare. But financially makes sense. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Rozz@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 2 years ago The printer has the same ink problems, clogged, runs out easy, can't print b&w when missing a color. But I can buy random ink. permalink fedilink source parent