Are Printers Designed to Break? Realities of Printers’ Common Issues Explained
If you have ever used a printer whether it is at your office or at your small business then you must have at one time or another experienced that feeling of anger when it breaks down at the most inconvenient time. Some of the problems that one can experience include paper jams, very expensive ink cartridges that run out of ink quickly, faulty parts and a host of other problems which may come up with mysterious error codes. These headaches make people question whether they are the only ones affected or if it is a widespread issue by asking a simple yet provocative question; Are printers designed to fail?
The Origins of the Printer Paradox
Printers have been in existence for quite sometime now since the inception of modern computing devices. As time went on, printers became more easily available and came with many options such as wireless connection, high definition printing, and even voice control. But they have not changed their reputation for being reliable that modern printers are famous for.
This is because the device is not that simple as to just putting ink on the paper. Modern printers are not just simple machines that put ink on paper. They are complex electronics, commonly incorporating several components such as print heads, sensors, and even firmware updates, and even the mechanisms that are used to feed ink to the printer. It is therefore not that surprising that sometimes some of the components of this system do not function as they are expected to.
Planned Obsolescence: Fact or Fiction?
Planned obsolescence which is defined as the act of encoder to design a product in a way that it will become obsolete after some time so that the encoder can sell new version often has been a subject of discussion for quite long. Some of the critics have claimed that some brands of printers are very expensive; they use expensive proprietary ink cartridges, are not replaceable, or integrated with microchips that can be configured in a way that after some time the device becomes ineffective. It is alleged that these strategies force consumers to buy new models more often.
Nevertheless, it is rather difficult to prove that planned obsolescence exists. As we have already mentioned, some manufacturers can provide their users with new printer updates that can restrict the usage of the third-party ink or set some usage limitations. However, this is not always the case and it should not be seen as a deliberate attempt to make devices fail. In many cases, the proprietary inks and cartridges which are used in the printer are for the purpose of controlling brand revenue, print quality and preventing users from using generic ink which might be damaging to the printer in the long run. Likewise, the updates that make the printer incompatible with cheaper ink sources may very well be attempts to preserve print quality rather than some sinister conspiracy.
The Economics of Printer Design
There is a quote that is commonly used in this industry which states that; “Printers are either given away or even sold at a loss, the profit is on the consumables such as the ink. ” This business model has defined how printers are designed. It is also important to note that most of the printers are rather affordable and you can buy them without much struggle but they are very expensive to use. Some of the aspects that include print heads, special kind of ink that is used, and the parts that are specific to particular manufacturers’ models can lead to what can be considered as a rather disposable printer.
This model does not necessarily mean that the printers are designed to fail, but it does imply that the manufacturers may not always choose best practices from the longevity point of view. It is more economical for them to switch to a new printer than work on the development of a sturdier printer which is easy to maintain by any user. In other words, it is easier for companies to update the printer every few years than to create a printer that will last an eternity and be easy to fix.
Consumer’s Role and Behavior
Consumer’s behavior also play a part in the perceived printer breakdown. If the print head of a printer is not used for few months then it will get blocked. Cheap paper may lead to a number of jams that can be encountered in the printer. Not using printer as often as one should, having outdated drivers, and not following the manufacturer’s guidelines tend to make printers to get out of service easily. It may also be unfair to completely blame companies for such design since if proper care is taken printers may last longer.
Right-to-Repair Movement
Due to increasing numbers of consumers being fed up with throw-away electronics the right-to-repair movement has started picking up steam. They state that people should be provided with the necessary tools, parts and information to enable them repair their own devices. For printers this could mean that there would be more accessible parts, standard cartridges and easier ways to troubleshoot when the machine breaks down.
If these measures are to be effective in the future, then the next generation of printers might be designed to be more transparent and easily repairable. It could pose a challenge to the perception that printers are designed to fail at some point, which would mean that people would be able to keep their printers functional for longer.
How to Improve Your Printer’s Lifespan
You cannot influence whether the printer will be designed to operate for the next 10 years, but you can influence the factors that can help prevent the premature failure of the printer:
1. Use Quality Ink and Paper: Ensure that you use the right kind of ink and paper that is recommended by the manufacturer to avoid jams and clogging of the ink.
2. Regular Maintenance:
3. Keep Firmware Updated:** Keep on upgrading your printer’s firmware as well as drivers to enhance the performance and compatibility of your printer.
4. Proper Environment:** It is recommended that your printer be kept in a clean environment free from dust and should not be exposed to extreme changes in temperature or humidity.
5. Consider a Business-Grade Printer: If reliability is an important factor then perhaps it would be wise to shell out for a sturdier, business-class printer and this may spare you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Conclusion
Though it is quite natural to assume that printers are made in a way that they are bound to break down, the real scenario is not that simple. Economical systems, the level of technological complexity, and user’s actions lead to the impression that printers do not live as long as one wants them to. It might be some features that have the tendency of being the planned obsolescence such as the firmware updates that block the use of cheap ink sources, but it is not proved that every printer is predestined to fail after some certain time.
If properly maintained, and with the right model and a little bit of good fortune, it is possible to increase the life expectancy of a printer and thus avoid the constant replacement cycle. In the future, consumers’ movements, right-to-repair laws, and shifting market sentiment might make manufacturers produce better, easier-to-fix printers that do not conform to the conventional wisdom that printing is a battle against the law of failure.
