<p>As we're all aware of, printers can be a pain in the neck. The cartridges don't last long, cost $$$, and fail only late at night when you gotta print and can't buy a replacement. So I keep a couple of spares in the drawer, but even that sometimes isn't enough. One time, color ran out in the printer and the two backups in the drawer both had problems with one of the color jets.</p>
<p>So how is it in Triton land? Do most people simply pay by the page? (I think it is $0.02 for bw, $0.05 for color). Are printers safely and conveniently located in the dorm buildings? (so that you don't have to schlep out at 2am in a deserted campus)</p>
<p>Nope… no printers in the dorms that i know of (can anyone else confirm?). If it’s 4 AM when you finish your paper for example, all the libraries are closed (unless it’s 10th week or finals week, in which case CLICS is open 24/7). I would highly recommend bringing your own printer. My roommate tried to live without one at first and ended up buying one within the first couple months at school. Depending on where you live it can be such a pain and a long walk to find printers.</p>
<p>Find friends with printers and befriend their friends with printers. Thus you are provided with a chain of printing friends. I always keep 4 ink back ups :).</p>
<p>CSE labs are open 24/7 and they have printers, but they’re a bit far for some people.</p>
<p>Don’t buy inkjet printers unless you print frequently. As you found out, the cartridges dry out or otherwise have problems. If you want a printer that’s ready to go whenever, then get a laser printer. I’ve seen some for $100. Of course the problem is finding a place to put it if you live in the dorms.</p>