Jessamyn
Went on one of my rare octogenarian house calls today. I have gotten smarter and asked about the age of the non-working printer BEFORE I started working on it. Weird fail mode: doesn't work at all except *sometimes* one of the LEDs lights up. I tried plugging it in different places (incl direct to the wall) and could not get more than that. Lady did not, of course, have an extra power cable to try. Forum browsing indicates they can fail like this. Gave her the bad news, paid in cookies.
Mar 20 at 7:40pmWeb
Show threadJessamynMar 20

The worst part of all of this is that she asked me 1. how to dispose of this one (I don't know, look it up maybe?) and 2. what new one to buy.

My advice is always the same but she "needs" color printing and scanning so she's going to buy something that is a pain in the ass and is probably wireless. She does not want to print color stuff at the library.

Can I install it for her when she gets it? Probably yes despite myself.

https://www.theverge.com/tech/641940/best-printer-2025-just-buy-a-brother-laser-printer-middle-finger-in-the-air

Best printer 2025: just buy a Brother laser printer, the winner is clear, middle finger in the air

Buying any random Brother laser printer will let you print things without thinking about it too much

The Verge
Show threadtaranMar 20
@jessamyn I'm same, but tragically, Brother seems to be on their way out of the "when all the other brands have failed you" business. Last two I've encountered have had (mine) stupid wifi compatibility issues or (client's) that plus incessantly-updating desktop app and flummoxing scanner geometry. I don't know who to recommend anymore! 😭
Show threadJessamynMar 20
@taran Yeah I don't know about Brother-the-brand but I like Brother-THIS-one because it plugs in, requires no client software, and does one thing. I think wifi printing was a mistake because people programming them to "just work" have never SEEN the banjaxed situations people will try to use them in. But yeah I was like "I have no idea who to recommend with color printers. My personal opinion is that they are all scams and I realize that is not helpful."
Show threadDon WhitesideMar 20
@jessamyn I have a Brother Color laser printer, it's grand.
Show threadQuasitMar 20
@jessamyn
My Brother black and white laser printer is still holding up. Haven't even had to buy new toner yet. I don't print that much. But at least laser printers don't clog up and get infections!
Show threadRob 📚Mar 20
@jessamyn Same problem with my parents. I talked them out of color and bought that very printer. So far so good. Parents have had no trouble.