Re: CUPS sucks
You need to assist it by inserting pages that you have folded before and such. You need to validate the print head alignment, etc. pp.
My networked lasers (monochrome and colour) Just WorkTM and need no asissting. Their LCD panel tells if they're low on toner. In fact the LJ4700 display showsthe level of each colour toner so you can predict when its likely to run out.
And it doesn't matter if I print one page in 3 months or 30000 pages in one month. They work the same. No dried up heads, no "oh I'm out of ink", when the cartridge still has plenty in it.
Granted, they were made back when HP still made decent printers.