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The original was posted on /r/opensource by /u/Frequent_Computer388 on 2024-11-05 23:23:06+00:00.

In recent years as big tech has got more and more nefarious and general consumer devices have got more locked down and enshittified and such, there has also been a big trend in alternative open systems for those that care.

You can get a Framework/System76 laptop, or a Pinetime/Bangle smartwatch, etc. But as far as I can tell there is still no way to buy an out of the box non-enshittified printer. Some models are better than others, not all of them have DRM on the cartridges and a required internet connection, especially corporate market laser models. But I’m amazed there’s not a project that is a basic inkjet printer that comes with open source drivers/firmware, refillable ink tanks by default, etc.

Are there patents or manufacturing details in printers that make them really hard to replicate by a new party? Or is it just that most printers are sold at a loss with predatory tactics to make the money back on ink, and a fairly built printer would have to cost so much that no one would buy it?

Of course printers are getting less popular every year but I imagine there’s still a bigger market than those who would buy a Pinetime smartwatch for example.