<p>A practical question about printers: I understand that each dorm has its own printer(s) for student use. I also learned that the printers in at least some dorms (Willets) get backed up or break down just when the masses, including you, need to print out a paper and the deadline is near. Does anyone know about the printing situation in ML? Are there enough functional printers to handle the load? Should my D buy her own printer?</p>
<p>Many thanks, as always!</p>
<p>My D is a rising senior in a very writing-intensive major, and she has never had her own printer, and never had a problem accessing a printer on campus before a deadline. I also believe that some professors prefer electronic submission of papers--though maybe another student can verify this? (D is out of the country at the moment.)</p>
<p>My daughter had her own ink jet printer, but hardly ever used it. In addition to the dorm printers, the library has free double-sided laser printing. Good for the environment, don't ya know, but did I menion free?</p>
<p>I'd have to check with daughter, but I believe they just send their print files to the library machines over the network and then go pick them up.</p>
<p>If you already have a printer, no harm in taking it. Otherwise, why not wait 'til you get there? There's a Best Buy right down the street on Baltimore Pike.</p>
<p>S never had his own printer during his 4 years at Swat, including is freshman year when he lived in ML, & never had a problem using campus printers (at least not a bad enough problem to complain about it).</p>
<p>I don't know many people with a printer at Swat. I do bring my own, but I'm in the minority - I already had a printer and only needed it when I was printing personal documents that really shouldn't get caught in the big printers. If you already have a printer, as ID said, it can't hurt to bring it, but buying one seems unnecessary. I almost always used McCabe to print my papers, or sometimes the printers in Shane lounge - not only is printing free, it's unlimited, unlike at a lot of other places. :]</p>
<p>Actually, if you're going to bring anything printer-related, one problem with many dorm printers is that they run out of paper (not so much ink) - so if you want to bring a personal stash of that, in case it runs out and you really need to print a paper and McCabe's 20 minutes away in the dark, that's a lot more practical.</p>
<p>I've never had a professor ask for papers in electronic form, siusplau, because they've told us that they hate having to print them out themselves, but maybe some do prefer that.</p>
<p>Thanks, Forgetmenot, for the tip on bringing the printer paper. That's a good idea. I know there are printers in the library, however I was asking about printing specifically in ML because it's not so easy to just go and pick up printouts from the library or other central campus places. Any other info on printing from ML?</p>
<p>Did we mention that printing is free?</p>
<p>Support for free printing: I have a friend who bought an eTextbook and then printed it out :o (double sided of course) in the library. Talk about economy!</p>
<p>The free college printers are perfectly sufficient, so long as you are ok in black and white. While printers do occasionally run out of paper, there are a lot of public printers (and you can always bring some paper yourself). I brought a printer with me, and have used it about twice thus far.</p>
<p>-Kriket's D</p>
<p>Here's the list of public computers and printers in each dorm and library:</p>
<p>Swarthmore</a> College :: ITS :: Computers In Dorms</p>
<p>I am pretty sure there are color printers available as well. In fact, I remember a news blurb last year about a new large format poster-size color printer that is available for student use for the cost of supplies. Art Department, maybe?</p>
<p>The college computing society also has a public computer lounge in the basement of Tarble, plus loaner video and still cameras, etc.</p>
<p>I think that we bought one for freshman year, but it wasn't necessary, so now it collects dust in the basement at home. The free printing at Swarthmore is definitely a plus.</p>
<p>My daughter had one, but never used it. It is absolutely unnecessary.</p>
<p>With decent lasers <= $100.00 or so, why not? There are times when a last minute correction or revision needs to be printed quickly. I suggest a laser as they are generally faster (both in terms of startup time to the printing of the first page and throughput thereafter and in terms of number of copies before a cartridge needs to be replaced).</p>
<p>^those were my thoughts. my printer has a built-in scanner and prints in color and even new we got a really good deal on it. seriously, why not?</p>
<p>i'll report back on how often i use it.</p>
<p>I think most of the papers are submitted electronically ...</p>
<p>most of my papers at my previous school were submitted electronically, too...but i went through like two packs of paper per semester anyway. it gets used. (don't worry, i use both sides on 100% post-consumer recycled paper...)</p>