Good Printer without subscription

Giving up on modern software.

namename11 · 2026-06-25T19:20:20+00:00

Since macOS keeps getting shittier and more intrusive by the day, I was recently in the market for a decent x64 laptop to install Linux on and settled on a ThinkPad T16. It didn't feel or look as nice as my MacBook Pro but it was a lot more easily repairable, so I was fine with it. I decided to go with Ubuntu since it's the most popular distribution from what I see, and everything was fine at first. But when I tried installing some system security updates the OS recommended, it froze up at 56% and wouldn't respond, so I had to turn it off. It wouldn't boot past the logo after that. No worries, I tried installing it again and it failed in exactly the same way. I know there was probably a way to fix it, like there always is, but I didn't buy a part time job and decided to try Windows. I installed Windows 11 IoT LTSC and it was actually fine, at least until I updated it. It would not boot after that. I tried to reinstall it but it refused to install! So I decided to move over to my MacBook Pro with Mojave and have been using it for weeks now. It's crazy that a 8 year old OS on a 11 year old device is more usable than anything modern I tried. It is insecure as fuck, but I don't have anything important on it and its on a separate network, so I'm not particularly bothered. If there's another excellent old OS I should try, let me know!

SylverReZ

GBAtemp's Dirty Pirate

Member

Level 34

17 minutes ago

KleinesSinchen said:
What on Earth does a printer need a subscription for!?
Call me stupid, but I do not even understand this. I'm serious.

Since consumer printers, especially inkjets, are garbage right from factory on (my ink printer with CD/DVD printing function failed right after warranty expired – some coincidence, huh) it might be worth a try looking at used printers from an formally upper price range.
Might be troublesome with drivers if using modern Windows, but generally old laser printers are neigh indestructible

HP does this crap with ink cartridges called "instant ink". You would pay them $1.99 a month to get a new set of ink cartridges, and after 3-months you'll be automatically charged for who knows how much depending on the no. of prints until you cancel out. If you don't pay the fee then they'll stop working, which in all honesty, is such a waste when you think about how much ink is still in these cartridges when they can be re-used.

That is why I still stick to an Epson because it doesn't give a monkeys about if the cartridges are from a reputable source so 3rd-party cartridges for the win. This printer can print onto inkjet-coated CDs/DVDs, and the color range on the final prints are more rich and vibrant, and almost is exact to the original image.

Last edited by SylverReZ, 12 minutes ago

Good Printer without subscription

GBAtemp's Dirty Pirate

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