Printers are hard. They require high precision mechanical and materials engineering. Their supply chain requires multiple bespoke manufacturing facilities.
That is why there are no successful open platform printers.
It is why Ali Express is not a viable option for most types of printers.
https://www.crowdsupply.com/open-tools/open-printer/updates
Hopefully this actually works when (if) it comes out
Printers are hard. They require high precision mechanical and materials engineering. Their supply chain requires multiple bespoke manufacturing facilities.
That is why there are no successful open platform printers.
It is why Ali Express is not a viable option for most types of printers.
A good printer for what?
Owning a printer is a bit of a lifestyle choice.
Laser, inkjet, dye sublimation, thermal, and even impact printers are each good for some workloads and each is terrible for other workloads.
Budgets for money, space, time, and noise should probably be part of any conversation, too.
HN often recommends Brother printers for their lack of innovation and good-enough design. Printer companies are sleazy, you’re not wrong.