At what point does a manufacturer's responsibility for updating its device drivers end? While that's not a question we can have any hope of answering definitively, a recent gripe from a reader about Vista driver support for his HP scanner might provide a good test case to ponder.
"This is about my HP Scanjet 6300C, which I purchased in December 2001 for $613.06 Canadian, taxes included," the reader wr
The reader has his own theory as to why his old inexpensive Deskjet is more worthy of consideration than his newer, more expensive scanner. "I smell a rat. Scanners, once they are out the door, have no future revenue for HP attached to them. Printers, however, do, especially seeing as this particular printer refuses to recognize anything besides $genuine $HP $replacement $ink $cartridges. Please imagine my extreme disappointment that my scanner would not go forward into the new world of Vista along with every other piece of hardware that I own. Imagine also that HP has turned a deaf ear to three attempts to complain to them about this. An old friend of mine always says at times like this 'Are we having fun with your computer yet?' My answer today: 'NOT -- and no thanks, HP, I won't be buying another of your products again in my lifetime.'"
To be fair, HP is hardly the only manufacturer that's not providing Vista support for all the products some customers believe should have it. And I suspect we'll be hearing about some situations where the product's age is a matter of month, not years.
What lessons are you learning about Vista compatibility with your hardware, software, or networking products? Edify us all by posting your comments on my website or writing me at Foster@gripe2ed.com.
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