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Comment by Aardwolf | Hacker News Reader

Question totally off topic, related to writing rather than 3D printing!

They call it not just the "HP Jet Fusion 580 Color 3D Printer", but the "HP Jet Fusion 580 Color 3D Printing Solution"

When I myself would be the target audience, "3D printer" sells better than "3D printing solution" I think.

Do you know what the true target audience they are writing for is, and if it really genuinely is so that there are such audiences where adding words like "Solution" helps the sell? Can you please elaborate on that and give intuition why?

Same applies for some other such words, like adding "Technology" to something that is more like a specification, and of course "Enterprise".

Thanks! :D

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For a company about to spend ~$250,000 on the ability to fabricate 3d models in house "3D Printing Solution" does message better. A 3D printer is just an expensive tool that requires expensive software and expensive people to make it work. A 3D Printing Solution implies a complete suite from installation to software to support that doesn't require investing in specialized skills.

It makes sense that someone who uses "message" as a verb would think "solution" is a good way to brand a printer, 3D or otherwise.

/I kid! I kid!

To help with the perspective, the fine print states that they were making comparisons to comparable products that cost between $100,000 and $450,000.

>Do you know what the true target audience they are writing for is, and if it really genuinely is so that there are such audiences where adding words like "Solution" helps the sell? Can you please elaborate on that and give intuition why?

They're selling to product design studios. HP aren't selling a 3D printer, they're selling a solution for making 3D prints. The word "solution" matters, because 3D printers have a reputation for being janky as hell. You'll pay a premium for the printer and the consumables, but the promise is that you won't have to dick about for days to get a decent print.

I’m not even typing this in on a smartphone. I’m typing on a mobile computing and telephony solution.

Like its alternate meaning, the word “solution” tends to water-down and muddy what is actually being sold.

I feel like the printing solution verbiage could be fitting since current 3d printing workflows include steps like cleanup, chemical washing or baths and heat curing before having a finished product. Compared to a current desktop printer where you press a button and have the final product. Definitely curious to check out this model and other tech coming soon!

There's at least one company in every sector that brands its products as "solutions," instead of products.

Copy machines, insurance, databases, plastic food containers, consulting, shipping, etc...

Everything is a "solution" these days. Often to problems that don't exist.

Probably includes software or more than just a "printer".

Maybe HP is doing there best to steer clear of anything that might result in Stratasys suing them.

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