Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The printers are not too expensive, especially with sales, but the cost of ink is outrageous.

That said, my kids have to print at home for school.

That has been our experience with ink costs.

Can you help me understand how often you find yourself purchasing ink?

4 users, need ink every 3-6 months; but I print a lot too.

Anonymous wrote:If a kid is asking for a printer over something less utilitarian, that tells me that they are having a difficult time getting what they need printed and could really use a printer at home.

Do you mean less utilitarian as in using what is available at the school?

I'm not sure I agree that this is a necessity - I think there is some combination of failing to plan/thinking it will be a cool idea (and it will not get used as much as he thinks it will).

Which is why I am doing my homework to understand what our best option is.

Buy a printer.

Unless you're on food stamps, you can cut back a little elsewhere, OP.

I don't know what my high schooler would do if we didn't have a printer at home. He comes back late in the evening with work due the next morning, some of which has to be printed out.

If a kid is asking for a printer over something less utilitarian, that tells me that they are having a difficult time getting what they need printed and could really use a printer at home.

I couldn't live without a printer at home, but I also don't work outside the home to use an office printer. Everyone in our family uses the printer at some point.

Some places such as Costco refill ink cartridges for a fraction of the cost of buying new cartridges. I know people who use this service and said the quality is just as good.

Anonymous wrote:My kids print at home quite often, including in color. We bought an HP printer/scanner and do the ink subscription program through HP with a low volume quantity. My kids know there's a limit to the number of pages and are generally responsible with how they use it. I also use it from time to time, especially the scanning function. I can't imagine not having one at home.

Have they ever exceeded the page limit? What are the consequences?

Is yours a recent purchase? If yes, can you share model?

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s not the right fix for you now, but you might want to consider a home laser printer in the future. I think they’re more expensive upfront, but toner is cheaper than ink and toner cartridges last forever. I’ve been using the same toner cartridge in my HP laser printer for over three years.

thank you.

Do you know if they have wireless versions of the laser printers? I'm not super savvy when it comes to tech setup - and ensuring connectivity is a concern for me as well.

My kids print at home quite often, including in color. We bought an HP printer/scanner and do the ink subscription program through HP with a low volume quantity. My kids know there's a limit to the number of pages and are generally responsible with how they use it. I also use it from time to time, especially the scanning function. I can't imagine not having one at home.

Keep an eye on Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. I gave away my last printer this way.

Maybe it’s not the right fix for you now, but you might want to consider a home laser printer in the future. I think they’re more expensive upfront, but toner is cheaper than ink and toner cartridges last forever. I’ve been using the same toner cartridge in my HP laser printer for over three years.

Anonymous wrote:The printers are not too expensive, especially with sales, but the cost of ink is outrageous.

That said, my kids have to print at home for school.

That has been our experience with ink costs.

Can you help me understand how often you find yourself purchasing ink?

The printers are not too expensive, especially with sales, but the cost of ink is outrageous.

That said, my kids have to print at home for school.

https://www.target.com/p/canon-pixma-mg3620-wireless-inkjet-all-in-one-printer-black-0515c002/-/A-49174092?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google&fndsrc=tmnv&DFA=71700000059453807&CPNG=PLA_DVM%2B0060H00000n9HOqQAM-Canon-Printer-HolidayFY19-Nov-2019-Flight&adgroup=PLA_Canon+Printer&LID=700000001393753pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9008162&gclid=CjwKCAiAlajvBRB_EiwA4vAqiHR_R4EKb3hGiZ4PyVBvBUjA3qPZ8Ycfm-h1FxzdiFXn-9dn9FnDphoCihoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

There were some Epson printers at Target that were $50. They usually come pre-loaded with ink cartridges I think.

My kids seldom use the printer, but when they need it, they need it. I don't know what your budget is, but there are lots of options below $100.

DS16 just asked for a printer in the house - and it isn't in our existing budget.

We have not had an in home printer for years - our experience was that ink was expensive, and just dried up before getting used.

We want to support his needs - but also want to do so in a way that isn't wasteful.

Do your high school students print at school? At home? If the latter, what solutions do you have - type of printer, frequency of ink purchase, etc...?