Printer setup and controls in Ubuntu (actually Xubuntu - my favorite distro)
Some printers are actually supported much better in Linux than in Windows.
I have found this to be true with the Ricoh Aficio multifunction network printer/copier/scanner used in the school's library. Installation of the driver is like two minutes without any downloads needed.
The same goes for the Epson ink jet printers I have the R210 and R230 - kind of old - but still printing absolutely gorgeous color photos. The Linux driver allows micro-control of color density, resolution, gamma and even droplet size (which I have not tried). These controls allow me to make life-like color photo prints.
The printers are recognized and the drivers set up in less than a minute - again without any downloads whatsoever.