4 ms·

He may have been smart. Cost of printer with starter ink was occasionally cheaper then just getting new ink.

mu_killnine 4y ago
Yeah, totally. He only printed things a few times a year and by then inkjets usually dry and print poorly. I don't fault him but it's interesting to these strange market forces in my life. As an aside, my grandfather was a terrific guy. He bought a Gateway 2000 PC in the 90's and spent lots of time with me getting Sim City 2000 loaded up on it. He always had some gadget to show me since he knew how much I loved technology and he was very good at it for someone of his generation. I don't begrudge recycling 11 printers as I cleaned up his house and it always gives my dad and I a good laugh and nice memories of an important person in my life.
- tomcam 4y ago
  Lovely story. Never knew any of my grandparents and my kids chose not to have kids, so no grandchildren to spoil.
Tijdreiziger 4y ago
But the starter cartridges are probably only partially filled.
- theandrewbailey 4y ago
  Does it really matter if you're only printing a dozen or so pages a year? They might dry out before going completely empty.
- nirimda 4y ago
  But if you bought full cartridges they would be expired or clogged before you half-used them.
- MerelyMortal 4y ago
  They are these days, but did printers always used to come with "starter cartridges"?
goosedragons 4y ago
But incredibly wasteful. For sporadic printing it really makes the most sense to go somewhere where you can print by the page like a public library, office supply store etc. I think I've spent about $2 on printing in the past 5 years. The most common electronics I see being thrown out these days is some shitty inkjet printer. Unlike a CRT or computer nobody wants them and so they sit by the side of the road for several days.
- axelthegerman 4y ago
  100% agreed, wish the "printing somewhere" experience was better too. Printed at a print shop, paid 50cts for the prints and $3 to use the computer for 10min trying to print from USB drive Printed at a library and for the printer could only pay in cash and there was a long line.
  - goosedragons 4y ago
    Ah that sucks. My local library's is pretty good as you can just email the file and use a print release station to print it. They have enough that I've never had to wait. Plus you can add print credit with a debit/credit card if need be.
- xenophonf 4y ago
  > The most common electronics I see being thrown out these days is some shitty inkjet printer. I've had a broken HP inkjet on my desk for 10 years. The only reason I've hung onto it is because it makes for a very nice network-connected document scanner. I got it used from one of my spouse's parents, and I haven't ever even tried to print with it. I keep thinking about replacing it with a multifunction laser printer, but why bother? I only ever really need the scanner.

Yeah, totally. He only printed things a few times a year and by then inkjets usually dry and print poorly. I don't fault him but it's interesting to these strange market forces in my life. As an aside, my grandfather was a terrific guy. He bought a Gateway 2000 PC in the 90's and spent lots of time with me getting Sim City 2000 loaded up on it. He always had some gadget to show me since he knew how much I loved technology and he was very good at it for someone of his generation. I don't begrudge recycling 11 printers as I cleaned up his house and it always gives my dad and I a good laugh and nice memories of an important person in my life.

tomcam 4y ago
Lovely story. Never knew any of my grandparents and my kids chose not to have kids, so no grandchildren to spoil.

Tijdreiziger 4y ago

But the starter cartridges are probably only partially filled.

theandrewbailey 4y ago
Does it really matter if you're only printing a dozen or so pages a year? They might dry out before going completely empty.
nirimda 4y ago
But if you bought full cartridges they would be expired or clogged before you half-used them.
MerelyMortal 4y ago
They are these days, but did printers always used to come with "starter cartridges"?

goosedragons 4y ago

But incredibly wasteful. For sporadic printing it really makes the most sense to go somewhere where you can print by the page like a public library, office supply store etc. I think I've spent about $2 on printing in the past 5 years. The most common electronics I see being thrown out these days is some shitty inkjet printer. Unlike a CRT or computer nobody wants them and so they sit by the side of the road for several days.

axelthegerman 4y ago
100% agreed, wish the "printing somewhere" experience was better too. Printed at a print shop, paid 50cts for the prints and $3 to use the computer for 10min trying to print from USB drive Printed at a library and for the printer could only pay in cash and there was a long line.
- goosedragons 4y ago
  Ah that sucks. My local library's is pretty good as you can just email the file and use a print release station to print it. They have enough that I've never had to wait. Plus you can add print credit with a debit/credit card if need be.
xenophonf 4y ago
> The most common electronics I see being thrown out these days is some shitty inkjet printer. I've had a broken HP inkjet on my desk for 10 years. The only reason I've hung onto it is because it makes for a very nice network-connected document scanner. I got it used from one of my spouse's parents, and I haven't ever even tried to print with it. I keep thinking about replacing it with a multifunction laser printer, but why bother? I only ever really need the scanner.