This is part of the reason I still have an HP 4050DTN and an HP 5000DTN. Plain B&W, but absolutely bulletproof and lacking all tracking, subscription, or DRM bullshit.

Hell, I can still get overstuffed cartridges that can do 20,000 prints at 5% coverage. I’m on my third one in two decades and two degrees with my 4050.

[–] Rinox@feddit.it 13 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Wait, how old is that? Because on Wikipedia it suggests that Xerox has been working on this at least since the 80s, and while it was only discovered in 2004, apparently everyone had been using these kinds of patterns for decades.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_Identification_Code

[–] fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com 3 points 8 months ago

B&W vs Color

[–] rekabis@lemmy.ca 1 points 7 months ago

You cannot print nearly-invisible yellow dots with only black toner, no matter how much you want to.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago

Yep. HP P1102W here. I print a bunch for work and myself. Can't even say how long a $20 toner cartridge lasts. I'm surprised when it finally runs low.

[–] renzev@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Thanks for name-dropping these. I'm kind of in the market for an old-ass printer after learning about this lol.