this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2024
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I looked into these the other day as my canon inkjet is on its last legs, but it seems any brother laser printer with a comparable featureset now has its own subscription model, and I could be wrong but this is how it seems to work based on my research:
You automatically get a trial subscription with the toner you get in these printer models (not sure, I hope it’s opt-in)
If you don’t continue the subscription after the trial, the toner cartridges lock and there’s no way to continue using them, even if you renew your subscription later. You have to pay for new toner cartridges.
I bought an Epson ink tank printer because I was so done with cartridges. I'm quite happy with it so far. Always works, never saw any prompts for me to make accounts or install bullcrap software.
With how popular they've been for years, I'd be honestly surprised if they hadn't enshittified. Reddit got a hard on for them like ten years ago.
You know how this happens right? Old mid man gets fired, new mid man gets hired- now, how for the new mid man to qualify their own existence? Change something. Improvement! Something to show the boss. But what happens when the product is already solid, when any change made to it worsens its functions? How do you improve a fork? You can't, so instead you start adding shit to it, like better grip, sharper teeth, whatever, and the final product evolves gradually into a monster that is at the same time fork, printer, thermostat, and toilet paper dispenser.
The logical procession and ultimate conclusion of capitalism is this.
In fairness, mine is probably even older than that. I think they still sell the basic models. HL-L2305W?
If you own a Brother subscription, you can also get coffee packets, and fresh sock subscription as a service! To your door!