Why We Will Soon Throw Out Our Personal Printers

Apart from moving into a paperless economy, the issues of owning a printer from the occasional paper jam to running out of ink, to more hardware related problems, printers are a big nuisance. And they cost a lot to maintain. It would be a lot easier for one to just go to a nearby shop and have your documents printed there. It won't cost you money, time, or stress.

In these modern times, printers have become so shitty that it’s easier to just not own one and deal with whatever small inconveniences might result. I haven’t had one for about a decade, and have rarely missed it.
Specifically, a “good” printer costs about $180. In 2018, I went to the copy shop only once, and spent a total of $2.40. At this rate, it would take me about 75 years to spend the equivalent cost, without factoring in expensive ink refills.

-via Digg

(Image credit: Joe Veix/The Outline)


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Being an old fart (60+)may have a bearing on this, but I prefer paper to pixels for print. The way I absorb information seems to be better when it's on paper.
I have multiple monitor setups at work and at home. But there are times when the ability to physically sort pages is more efficient and meaningful than trying to do it virtually.
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I don't have a printer, because long ago, I knew my kids would go through reams of paper and jam the machine up. I haven't needed one much, and the library is only two blocks away.
Years ago, Mental Floss extolled the virtues of a paperless office, but long after that, my boss there expressed surprise that I am able to go paperless while no one else there can even imagine it.
I must admit that even I was surprised at how my kids applied for so many college admissions and scholarships completely online, including submitting an art portfolio.
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This alone justifies my printer.
It also presents options. Just today I was GMing a tabletop role-playing game. Being able to print out notes, maps, and illustrations was helpful to the storytelling.
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Never owned a printer. If I needed to print something, i just did it at the office. Now that I don't work in an office, I use the local library which costs $0.25/page. Printed 8 pages last year. Could get one. It would definitely be for convenience vs. need. Can't justify the cost of even a cheapo inkjet though. One more piece of tech to break.
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