I also have a printer at the office which I have to go every day and she asked me to print stuff like twice, so I'm kind of curious about what's the status of home printing?
PS - when I need to print photos, I use a service that prints in a proper photographic paper and size to frame. I do this like twice a year.
I'll get an Epson EcoTank color printer as my next one, and maybe the https://www.crowdsupply.com/open-tools/openprinter if it ever comes out and is really open. I also would not mind a decent receipt printer. I forgot that I own a couple of Dymo label printers too, and wrote some driver software for them years and years ago. But free printers that have enough ink or toner to last a while are pretty common.
Not having a printer is like only having a phone and not a laptop. It labels you as a consumer and recipient of culture and society, instead of a participant.
- Return labels, if I'm returning an Amazon purchase
- Hard copies of important info when I travel, in case my phone dies
- Occasional times when I'm sent forms that I need to print, sign, scan and send back
It didn't cost much, has never needed maintenance, and the toner lasts a long time. Worth it for the hassle it saves when I need it.
I barely have to print anything, so not having to deal with clogged inkjet heads has been great
Our printing needs are minimal, maybe 1 or 2 times a year we'll just go and print at 7-11, which has better options than a home printer anyway (A3 size paper, both laser and inkjet photo printing options, sticker paper etc)
Recently my father-in-law passed away and he had 3 inkjet printers and we inherited 2 of them. For the first few weeks there was a flurry of "we can print now" and there was some arts and crafts being done, but since they they've been laying dormant.
For OP, having a printer at home will show its usefulness at random times. I'm definitely glad I pulled the trigger, partially because of being a prepper, re: my government, not the apocalypse. (a little brother incase big brother...)
This does mean I can't exactly get my colors right, since I don't print often enough and I'm not that familiar with proofing digitally, but even if I have to get a print done twice I probably end up ahead financially.
I also have a tiny Canon Selphy that I use for small 4x6 prints, which I can recommend so people will actually get their photos into the real world and off the screen.
I was gonna particularly miss the scanner with ADF, but realizing that Android’s camera-based scanning was mature, realized I could go for a single-function LaserJet at this point.
I chose the HP LaserJet 4001dn. It may have been a huge mistake. This printer is neither compatible with Android nor ChromeOS. Can’t go beyond a simple 1-pager with these.
I have been able to access the full features and power by using ChromeOS Linux subsystem. It is actually the only reason I need or use Linux at this point, and smuggling documents to be printed is arduous. I wish it just worked from my phone! But I do not believe it is the fault of HP or the printer, but Google’s staunch rejection of dead tree interfaces.
It is what it is. I’m in a city surrounded by print services such as the library, UPS Store, FedEx, that I could probably limp along with no printer at home, but I got this one blessed by my local deacon, so it’s a keeper.
There is also a printer at work that I could use in a pinch.
My kid is constantly asking me to print out colouring-in pictures that she has us create using AI or find online (princesses, mermaids, dolphins, etc.)
There are also the occasional documents that need signatures or need to be seen by others. I might print out checklists or useful information to put in the car. I even have a list of PS3 games, and whether they support co-op, that sits in my TV cabinet so I can check it when friends come over before starting up a game.
When printing is so accessible, you tend to do it much more often.