Battle Programmer YuuAug 4, 2023

HP are such scammers

I posted about this very cheap printer before, which strongly suggests that there is No USB, only Wifi. When I first got it I figured out how to print over the network without using the app they try to bully you into downloading.

It turns out it's even easier to print, just use the USB port they try to pretend isn't there!

No company is going to rewrite their firmware to remove the USB stack. It's even more expensive to redesign the hardware to get rid of the USB port physically. They opted for the cheapest option, a little sticker.

They are just trying to store everyone's documents in their stupid cloud service that some teenage extortion group is going to break into and leak one day. Don't give them your data.

Show threadsteeph's old profile – Now at @[email protected]
@netspooky I don't see what the use of hiding the port is for them.
Aug 4, 2023 at 8:31pmWeb
Show threadAlex McLeanAug 4, 2023
@steeph @netspooky They're not hiding it, they're getting you to set up the printer over wifi, and only use the USB port after that. It seems if you use the USB port straight away it'll only print up to 20 pages then stop. They do this to get you to opt into hp+ and lock the printer in to use official toner. That's why the printer is so cheap
Show threadCompuguy 🐱Aug 4, 2023
@yaxu @steeph @netspooky Yikes. I hope the other printer manufactures don't jump onto this paid printer ink subscription thing...😬
Show threadMark RoszkoAug 5, 2023
@[email protected] @steeph @netspooky Hah,at work, our French office sent us one of these cheap HP printers they bought locally for us to evaluate it electrically.
It turns out, they also region lock the ink. As in, they have a identical US printer and ink cartridge but you can't mix them. :D
We had to get the French office to mail us an ink cartridge across the ocean lol.
Show threadAbraxas3d W5NYVAug 5, 2023
@mroszko @yaxu @steeph @netspooky oh wow, that's one step beyond.
Show threadMark RoszkoAug 5, 2023
@abraxas3d @yaxu @steeph @netspooky The best part is they basically lost out on what would have probably been order of 50k printers plus recurring ink orders. The end deployments were somewhere where internet simply isn't available in the slightest and even power is quirky which is why we were electronerding it.
Show threadgeographileAug 5, 2023
@mroszko @yaxu @steeph @netspooky that's *awful*
Show threadElias MårtensonAug 5, 2023
@yaxu @steeph @netspooky I'm not sure that's in any way better (although I admit you never suggested it is).
Show threadMattias SchlenkerAug 5, 2023
@yaxu @steeph @netspooky At least for printers sold in the EU, HP+ is only needed for setup. Of course they do this to sell an Instant Ink subscription that finally ties the printer to HP cartridges exclusively (if you don't opt for I. Ink third party cartridges can be used). However, given the fact that all colors come in a single cartridge and cartridges contain the piezo part of the printing head, Instant Ink is a both ecological and economical approach for a maximum of 100 pages per month.
Show threadMattias SchlenkerAug 5, 2023

@yaxu @steeph @netspooky If you need more pages, better opt for a laser printer or some large tank thing like Epson.

(Disclaimer: I do not know how deeply HP ties printers to services and supplies in other jurisdictions, at least in the EU, competion/customer right laws mandate ties not being too close)

Show threaddoragasuAug 5, 2023
@yaxu @steeph @netspooky Wow, this is so anti-consumer... Exactly what you would expect from HP printers!
Show threadPär BjörklundAug 7, 2023
@yaxu @steeph @netspooky I'm guessing the really want it on wifi for analytics and maybe surprise firmware updates that remove features
Show threadRevK Aug 5, 2023
@steeph @netspooky What is odder still is the port is marked with USB logo, not hidden, and the sticker has a little arrive suggesting you are expected to un-peel it and remove it even!