If you don't want photo quality and print lots of documents laser is indeed the wise choice. But even if I had to print a lot of documents, I'd rather have a laser printer and a separate inkjet for photos rather than having to defer to someone else for my photo needs.
Well, I guess it really does depend on your individual desires and needs.
I haven't regularly ordered prints or printed them myself in 20 years. My parents have photo albums and framed pictures. I don't think I have a single photo print in my house. (other than the test sample from yesterday) I think I did it once for an event for my ex stepson over a decade ago, but that's the only time that comes to mind.
When I print a photo its usually for practical purposes. (drawings, instructions, something for a project, etc.)
In the odd circumstance where I needed a glossy photo print it would be much easier and cheaper to just use a professional service. Having that capability myself just doesn't make sense. It sounds like in your use case it might.
I've checked and the closest photo shop is 10 miles from me (closed now on national holiday). Online services while not expensive, usually have a wait time of 4-5 days. I'm the kind of person who when I decide I want something I want it immediately, or at least ASAP. Knowing myself I'd rather go out and buy a printer than deal with an online service with a lead time of 4-5 days.
It sounds like I am more of a planner than you are though. Before I do something I usually think about it for anywhere from days to weeks to months (or even years for some things) before I execute. I rarely just do something on short/no notice. In a circumstance where I wanted prints, it would be some sort of project I planned out before guests even arrived and had ready for them when they got there. I try to never respond to or do anything on short notice. If I were at a party or had guests over in my house and someone wanted a picture, I'd just send it to them (email or message). Everyone in my life at this point (even my parents and parents in laws who are in their 70's) are tech savvy enough for that.
That explains it, if your experience is with a 30 years old HP. I said so myself that I owned a HP inkjet back in the late 90s and how awful it was. However my canon printer from the 2000s is like it's from another dimension.
I mean they did kind of invent the technology. That and while it was my first inkjet experience, it was far from my only one (though I do admit it skews HP, but there have been a couple of Epsons in there as well, but nothing since the Ecotank era) There may have been a Canon or two back in the 90's as well, but I can't remember.
I do vaguely remember inkjet printers being better when the print heads were integrated into the ink cartridges so they were frequently replaced, but once they tried to make the print heads permanently installed int the printer, and the cartridges separate for cost savings purposes (none of which were passed to the customer, btw) things went donwhill.
The major headache is having to go out. I always prefer doing things from the comfort of my home. And for example during the holidays it might not even be an option because everything is shut. And before you say that never happens, just this last Christmas I used my printer to make a photo for my godparents who we visited on the 26th. If I had no printer it would not just have been more inconvenient, but literally impossible.
I'd rather leave my home if I get an easy finished product, over having to print, and cut things to size myself, etc. etc.
I had my Canon IP4200 sit in a closet unused for years, and when I took it out I fully expected having to replace all cartridges and print heads in it. But to my surprise it worked fine. Getting clogged seems to be a HP feature. I say feature, because I'm not exactly sure if it's not deliberate on their part.
That doesn't reflect my experience at all, but I ave never used that Canon model.
I don't think I purchased photo paper once in my life, my supply is from promotions and sample packages. For example last time I ordered cartridges for my printer, I got a free pack of glossy photo paper containing 50 sheets. I'll probably never have to buy paper in my lifetime.
I think I got a sample pack once, but I find it surprising you got so many. How do they make this business make money if they give all the stuff away?
