Time for 2025 printer research!

Have been stalling getting a new printer since this HP has been doing me fine since way back. But of course we need to prepare for the inevitable firmware updates and subscription raises that will lock us in.

What I’ve heard is best:

  • Laser Printers
  • Brother branded

Recently though, Brother started doing the funky like all other printer companies. This stopped me last time when I was about to buy one.

I won’t get into the details as to where I’ve found and read this information because it’s in the back of my mind.

And since I’m really just here to ask: WHAT KIND OF PRINTER YOU GOT, LINUX USERS?

Preferably under $200.

EDIT: Scanning + Printer + Copier combo is the ultimate goal, but whatever else works too. Preferably wifi connected. But I can make some Ethernet cables.

  • plateee@piefed.socialEnglish
    7·
    21 hours ago

    Yup, another vote for brother laser printers. If you’re worried about them applying updates that add DRM to toner cartridges, but you still want network printing you can do one of two things:

    1. Give the printer a static IPv4 address and block egress from your router with a firewall.
    2. Give it a static IPv4 address but give it a non-functional gateway (e.g. if your gateway is 10.0.0.1, make the printer’s gateway 10.0.0.254)

    Heck, do both if you’re paranoid.

    Either way it’s not getting updates unless you manually change things or download the firmware updates on your Linux box and apply it that way.