HP is ditching its online-only printer range — user backlash forces major rethink
www.techradar.com
LaserJet e-series printers discontinued by HP

HP has discontinued its e-series LaserJet printers following widespread consumer dissatisfaction with the printers’ mandatory online connection of the HP+ scheme.

The decision, reported by German media outlet §, addresses growing frustration among users who have been forced to maintain a constant internet connection and use HP original ink and toner, with cheaper and more accessible third-party alternatives prohibited.

The LaserJet e-series models, identifiable by an ‘e’ suffix in their models names, now look to have been pulled from sale.

  • empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    179·
    2 months ago

    So rather than just push a super simple firmware update that disables the always online need, they’d rather just stop selling it, and probably brick these printers in a year or so when they discontinue the service.

    • SkyezOpen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      109·
      2 months ago

      Has hp ever done anything to suggest they give a shit about users beyond milking them for all they’re worth?

      • Dremor@lemmy.worldEnglish
        181·
        2 months ago

        They did provide good first party Linux support where other printer required the use of hacky reverse engineered drivers. Other than that…

      • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
        9·
        2 months ago

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_LaserJet_4

        The HP LaserJet 4 (abbreviated sometimes to LJ4 or HP4) is a group of monochrome laser printers produced in the early to mid-1990s…

        The LaserJet 4, especially the 4/4M/4+/4M+ models, have become known for their durability, mainly due to their reliable construction, as well as the printers built-in PCL (and optional PostScript) printer language support which is still used in computers to this day. Hewlett-Packard dominated the laser printing sector during this time in part due to their reliability, relatively affordable pricing, and the spread of LaserJet 4 models from personal use up to heavy business use.

    • 𝕸𝖔𝖘𝖘@infosec.pubEnglish
      142·
      2 months ago

      Firmware update, means the printers keep working with third party ink (HP loses). Bricking them, means you must buy another printer (HP has a 50:50 chance to win).

    • sramder@lemmy.worldEnglish
      132·
      2 months ago

      What else ya’ got under that rock? Cuz’ these things brick themselves if you miss a monthly payment on your ink subscription.

      • cowfodder@lemmy.worldEnglish
        51·
        2 months ago

        Yes, the laser printer bricks itself if you miss a payment on your ink subscription…