Printers are not that expensive in Malaysia, students can buy a printer that cost less than RM200 or less than USD67, but the cartridge is expensive one cartridge with the black and color cost around RM120 or USD40, and you can maybe print about 500 pages. As a student in Malaysia you will spend a lot of money in printing because you have print your notes, usually lecturers will upload the notes of the chapter they would teach in the class, and you will have to print them. I cost around RM0.10 per page to photostat and it cost around RM0.20 per page to print. Students can save some money by going to printing shops but the Q is long sometimes there are a lot of students who are also printing their notes and assignments.
Most of the local students print at the printing shop rather than buying their own printer because most of them have a car, and it makes it convenient for them. International student buy printers because they don't have a car, and they have walk and wait in line for printing. The difference between buying a printer and printing at the printing shop is that you might save about RM50 in 4 years of you study in Malaysia by printing at shop but that is also based on the students.
Most of the local students print at the printing shop rather than buying their own printer because most of them have a car, and it makes it convenient for them. International student buy printers because they don't have a car, and they have walk and wait in line for printing. The difference between buying a printer and printing at the printing shop is that you might save about RM50 in 4 years of you study in Malaysia by printing at shop but that is also based on the students.