HP discontinues online-only LaserJet printers in response to backlash — Instant Ink subscription gets the boot, too
Per a report from DruckerChannel, HP has lastly been pressured to discontinue its cheaper e-series LaserJet printers as a result of prospects experiencing issues with their online-only and at all times tied to HP+ subscription necessities. Amongst different issues, HP+ requires a everlasting Web connection, and prospects solely use HP-original ink and toners, not permitting for third-party options for use in any respect. There are advantages to HP+, together with cloud printing and an additional 12 months’s guarantee, however the pressured on-line requirement for a less expensive printer left a foul style within the mouths of many customers.
In any case, it is essential to make clear that this discontinuation of HP printers will solely impression HP LaserJet printers which have an “e” added to the tip of their mannequin identify to indicate the choice enterprise mannequin. So, the HP Laserjet M110w is unaffected by this, however the HP LaserJet M110we and M209dwe, two cheaper always-online options, will now not be produced or bought by HP.
One other crucial level of clarification is that the prevailing HP e-series LaserJet printer fashions within the wild will nonetheless perform precisely as they did once they had been bought. No software program updates are forthcoming to unlock the true potential of the {hardware}, so present prospects must cope with it and HP+ till they will exchange their printers completely. At the least they will nonetheless get HP+ advantages, however after such backlash, it would be good if HP acknowledged its mistake sufficient to take away a number of the restrictions on e-series printer customers.
Chatting with DruckerChannel, an HP consultant had the next to say (translated from German) on the discontinuation of those printers.
“For the reason that introduction of HP+, our good, related printing system has been embraced by prospects who recognize the comfort, prolonged guarantee, and options,” stated the HP consultant, “We all know that some prospects in IT-managed workplace environments are unable to satisfy the cloud connection necessities for HP+. To supply our prospects with an distinctive printing expertise in all workplace environments, we’ll now not provide LaserJet sequence merchandise with HP+. We plan to increase confirmed options reminiscent of Print from Anyplace and Sensible Safety to pick new HP LaserJet gadgets. HP+ prospects who’re glad […] don’t have to make any changes.”
The HP consultant additionally disclosed that “HP will cease advertising the Prompt Ink toner subscription service later this 12 months. The service will now not be out there to new prospects. This won’t have an effect on present Prompt Ink toner subscribers, solely these new to the service.”
The explanations for Prompt Ink’s discontinuation are much less clear, because it was an elective subscription. DruckerChannel speculates it could have been getting confused or conflated with HP+ and that some prospects might even assume it required HP+, so HP opted to discontinue the service to simplify issues for finish customers. That step, a minimum of, seems like a slight overcorrection.
