[muglo] "Cheap and flimsy" modern printers

Hello all,

It seems to me someone (or a few people) recently posted that modern
printers are cheap and flimsy and won't last as long as the HP
LaserJet 4s and Apple LaserWriter IIs of yesteryear.

I initially agreed (didn't bother posting) and didn't think twice
about the post. However, for some reason the thought just struck me
(watching some crap news put out by that oh-so-high quality Global
<ahem Fox North> Network) that we aren't really comparing apples and
oranges when we dismiss modern computer equipment as poorly made and
older stuff as high quality (physically).

When you bought that LaserJet 4 (or whatever) in 1994 it cost $2000,
or _more_. When you bought that modern Samsung "starter" laser in 2005
for $200 you paid much LESS than even 10% of what you paid for that
$2000 printer. If you were to pay that same $2000 (in 1994 dollars...
so $2500 or $3000 in 2005, with inflation) you'd get one hell of a
stunning colour laser capable of spitting DOUBLESIDED prints out at 20
ppm, changing blank ink to 24K gold engravings, and customised paper
cutting (well, ok, I'm making up some features but you get the point).

So, yes, the "cheapest" laser you can buy is of lower quality that
what you could in 1994 (compare the cheapest laser in 1994 at
$1000-$1500 vs $200 now), but, you're also paying a FRACTION of the
price!

That's my sole thought for the day,

Eric.
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