About "the last printer": there's another factor to consider. I do a lot of photography (grandchildren!) and some years ago (when I switched to digital exclusively, and bought a DSLR) I needed a really good photo-quality printer to replace my venerable HP855 (which died completely soon after). Since I also needed to do some larger-format printing, I chose a mid-high end Canon i9900 ink jet for about $400, as I couldn't afford the "best" design, dye-sub. It has served my purposes admirably, but it's quite expensive to feed: 8 ink cartridges, currently costing me more than $10.00 each (in a multi-pack, on-line). And, they don't print many high-res images (maybe a handful of 13x19 inch) before severeal need replacing. I did try "private-label" cartridges just ONCE; saved a couple of bucks but ended up having to buy a new $85 print head! Here's the REAL kicker: there are only a couple of sellers who even stock the full multi-packs or the two "unique" photo cartridges used only by this printer and one of its siblings. NONE of the many office supply chains stock these anymore and only a couple allow ordering, so I suppose it's only a matter of time before they are completely discontinued. Then this fine tool will become a museum piece, eventually finding its way to a recycling center, and I'll have to find a suitable replacement. This is a bit worse than "planned obsolescence," more like "forced obsolescence."
Baking your board--now that's a new concept, but apparently an effective one so thanks for bringing it to the Design News community's attention.
One comment you made that struck me--that the $500 printer would likely be your last printer purchase ever. I don't think any one can say that about any product these days, particularly home office printers. These units appear to be so flimsy and designed for a very short shelf life. What have I heard folks talk about in this community--designing for planned obsolescence. I'd say this is a perfect example.
As energy efficiency becomes more and more a concern for makers of electronics devices, researchers are coming up with new ways to harvest energy from sound vibration, footsteps, and even electromagnetic fields in the air.
The government wants to study your brain, and DARPA wants to use similar information to give robots true autonomy beyond any artificial intelligence developed to date. Sound like science fiction? It's not.
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