HP discontinues its lower-priced e-series LaserJet printers due to problems with the HP+ subscription, which is only available online. Customers are also complaining en masse about the requirement to use original ink and toner. This was reported by Tom's Hardware.
The discontinuation will only affect HP LaserJet printers that have an "e" added to the end of the model name to indicate an alternative business model. Thus, the HP Laserjet M110w will be unaffected, but the HP LaserJet M110we and M209dwe, two lower-cost alternative models that are always online, will no longer be manufactured or sold by HP.
The e-series LaserJet printers already sold to customers will continue to operate and function as they did when they were purchased. There will be no software upgrade, so customers will have to deal with it and HP+ until they can replace their printers completely.
At least they will still get the benefits of HP+, but after this reaction, it would be nice if HP would admit its mistake and remove some of the restrictions for e-series printer users.
An HP spokesperson said that the company plans to discontinue the HP+ subscription on new HP LaserJets and replace it with solutions such as Print from Anywhere and Smart Security. HP+ customers who are satisfied with the service will be able to continue using the subscription.
HP will also stop selling the Instant Ink toner subscription service later this year. The service will no longer be available to new customers. This will not affect existing Instant Ink toner subscribers, but only those who are new to the service.
The reasons for the termination of the Instant Ink service are less clear, as it was an optional subscription. It could have been confused with HP+.