Printers and Scanners for Ubuntu (12.04, or 13.04)

[Ric Moore]

On 09/05/2013 08:13 AM, Gilles Gravier wrote:
> Hi, Jay!
>
> On 05/09/2013 13:38, Jay Ridgley wrote:
>> On 09/05/2013 01:53 AM, Gilles Gravier wrote:
>>> Hi, gang!
>>>
>>> I'm working with a small company (whyopencomputing. ch) that sells
>>> Ubuntu (12.04 LTS 64bits) pre-equiped laptops and desktops in
>>> Switzerland. We want to recommend to our customers one or more printers
>>> + scanners that will run with no, or as little as possible configuration
>>> on Ubuntu (ideally 12.04 LTS 64 bits and above).
>>>
>>> Ideally, we're looking for a printer+scanner machine. USB and/or
>>> networked.
>>>
>>> We've tried some Brother machines... but the latest one we tried,
>>> Brother has 32 bit drivers, so you have to manually install 32 bit
>>> compatibility libraries, and then install their drivers. Not something
>>> we want our customers (very basic users) to attempt. I know geeks will
>>> do it easy. But not everybody. And since the drivers are proprietary, we
>>> don't want to pre-bundle them either.
>>>
>>> I want something that prints directly with CUPS or LPR.
>>> I want something that scans directly with xsane or Simple Scan.
>>> I want something that's recent enough that it can still be purchased in
>>> mainstream shops.
>>> I want something that's energy star compliant.
>>> I want at least some printers that print duplex.
>>>
>>> Yeah... I know. I want a lots of things. But I don't want a poney. And
>>> I'm aware it's not Xmas yet. :)
>>>
>>> Any suggestions? Prior experience?
>>>
>>> Thanks a lot!
>>>
>>> Gilles
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Gilles,
>>
>> I use an HP Photosmart C3180 All-in-One with a usb connection to my
>> system (Ubuntu 12.04.03 LTS) works fine.
>>
>> Prints color, black and white, copies, and interfaces to SimpleScan.
>> Does not duplex or fax. Available through HP and Amazon (I just checked).
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Jay
>
> Thanks! Did it require specific drivers? Or out of the box? Also, are
> the colors separate cartridges? Or is it one combined 4-color cartridge?

My HP All-In-One ran remarkably well, until a week after the warranty 
ran out. The color went wonky and replacing the cartridge had no effect 
at $40 a pop. So I REALLY used my English Language skills and assertive 
demeanor on their tech support hotline to the point I got a snide reply 
from a lady claiming to be in charge of ALL tech service for the U.S., 
where she said "I shouldn't have purchased an "entry-level" (cheap) 
printer from them, if I expected it to last." I told her that my 1978 
Teletype 43 could print 3 huge cartons of continuous form paper on one 4 
dollar ribbon and probably is still running today. My rebuke was greeted 
with silent frosty indifference. Beyotch.

 From her reply, you could have blown me over with a feather that they 
would dare to dink with ME! That said, HP Utils is in the repo, you just 
use that to configure it and it'll run damn peachy and eat the dickens 
out of ink printing test pages, in full glorious high density glossy 
color, every time it gets interrupted or the power goes off. Not to 
mention wasting a page of paper and killing another tree. HP is a cruel 
master in my book.

So, don't get the cheaper All-In-Ones, or they won't respect you nor 
your expectations of their fine line of products, when you don't spend 
"enough".

Oh yeah, I ~promised~ her that I would tell about our encounter EVERY 
TIME I saw the word HP in a tech forum query. I'll continue to do that 
until ~I die~ or HP ~goes broke~ from my efforts. Old age and treachery 
~can~ ultimately win. I took it to the county dump site without a 
scratch or sign of age on it. Where it belonged. <cackles> Ric


-- 
My father, Victor Moore (Vic) used to say:
"There are two Great Sins in the world...
..the Sin of Ignorance, and the Sin of Stupidity.
Only the former may be overcome." R.I.P. Dad.
/https://linuxcounter.net/cert/44256.png /