It is kind of funny how printers just hop onto the latest marketing trends. Previously it was the "razor blade" model of making the device "inexpensive" and charging more for the consumables, now its subscriptions.

The thing for me is that neither the razor blade model nor the subscription model fit my actual use of the product. For me a printer is essentially a piece of infrastructure. It's not the kind of thing I upgrade or want to pay any attention to. I buy one, set it up, and basically run it until it dies or falls out of support. I only replace them when I absolutely have to, and I would prefer that to be as infrequent as possible.

I'm willing to pay for something that fits that model. Charge me the real cost for the physical printer - including R&D and ongoing support - and in turn come back down to reality on the consumables.

I'm saddened that no one can make this model work, but I understand why. Very few people are going to want to go from $100 printers to $500 printers. Though, as the world becomes more paperless I can see this occurring in the long tail - "Hey, buy a printer. Never know when you'll need it and it's going to last you."