Hewlett-Packard Company - No USB Cable

Posted by Sparticus on 2012-07-09:

I've never understood why some printer companies don't include a cable either. I've always had to go dig one out of the archives from an old printer that did come with one from a decade before.

This is an interesting read from a Staple's employee perspective:

http://articles.marco.org/46

Posted by jktshff1 on 2012-07-09:

Very good link Sparticus.

Posted by onlooker on 2012-07-09:

And a different perspective is the mfg of the cable and mfg of the printer - have different efficiencies making separate mfg of the 2 items better. But as shown by Sparticus pricing can be manipulated by the retail outlet.
I guess this experience means read all info before you purchase anything - even the small print.

Posted by trmn8r on 2012-07-09:

Look at it this way. Personal printers have become somewhat disposable. My last all in one was like $60. The ink costs the same as the printer. So... if people are buying printers frequently, and tossing the old ones, they don't need new cables.

Here's another thought - what about the old days, when we had those big honker IBM-style cables. New printers didn't come with cables.

Here's yet another thought. Most people are going wireless these days. Even me, being the Luddite I am, have. However, my latest Brother printer required a USB cable to set it up. The printer connector is buried down inside the printer, so you can't use it with the cable!

I would not throw HP out the door here. I think it is becoming the norm to not include a USB cable. Also, I think this switch is good for the environment - millions of unneeded non-biodegradable cables don't get tossed in the dump.

Posted by frak on 2012-07-09:

The last two HP printers I bought included the USB cables. (All-in-one printers from Costco.)

Having become disillusioned with HP printers for other reasons, I just bought a Cannon All-in-one (from Costco) and it did NOT include the cable.

I checked and checked the box until I saw the "USB cable not included" notice in very small print. (That was annoying.)

While I did NOT need the cable to setup or use the machine (wi-fi all the way, baby), I fortunately have a cable, should I need it.

USB cables in general are changing because of the technology. You used to be able to buy them with standard male connectors on both ends - now those are hard to find. USB cables for printers are different, and then USB cables for iPads and Kindles and such are different still.

Posted by FoDaddy19 on 2012-07-09:

honestly I haven't seen a printer come with a usb cable in probably close to decade. This isn't just limited to HP.

Posted by Starlord on 2012-07-11:

I inquired about why printer cables were not included with printers when I had to purchase one. The answer I got seemed to make sense. I was told that different computers and printers had different architecture, and the printer maker had no idea what computer you would be hooking it up to. Rather than package every possible cable in the box with the printer, they chose not to include any cable. Oh, and any cable is way more than 39 cents.

Posted by Swat on 2012-09-26:

I will never buy an HP again. Not because of the cable issue, but because of the annoying pop-up that appears telling me an update is available, asks me if I want to download it, then gives no way to say yes or no, and the pop-up doesn't go away untill you reboot! How stupid are they??? I will buy from a competitor just because HP people are stupid. I hope one of them reads this: If you work there, you are an idiot through association! If you don't want to be an idiot, do something about this!!!!!