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HP CEO’s Bold Statement: Non-HP Supplies Make Customers ‘Bad Investments’

HP CEO
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In a striking remark that has stirred controversy, HP CEO Enrique Lores recently declared that customers who do not use HP’s own supplies for their printers are considered “bad investments” for the company. This statement highlights the ongoing tension between printer manufacturers and consumers over the use of third-party ink and toner cartridges.

Key Highlights:

  • HP CEO Enrique Lores describes customers not using HP supplies as ‘bad investments’.
  • The company aims to make printing a subscription service.
  • HP faces a class-action lawsuit over allegations of preventing non-HP cartridges usage.
  • HP’s Dynamic Security feature, introduced in 2016, restricts third-party cartridge use.
  • Lores cites protection of intellectual property and potential security risks as reasons.

HP’s Stance on Third-Party Supplies: HP has been vocal about its preference for customers to use official HP supplies. The company’s introduction of Dynamic Security in 2016 was a step to enforce this, as it restricts the usage of non-HP cartridges, ostensibly to protect HP’s intellectual property and ensure a quality customer experience. Lores reiterated this stance, emphasizing the importance of protecting the company’s intellectual property and the potential security risks posed by third-party cartridges.

The Economics of Printer Supplies: Lores’ comments underscore the business model of printer companies like HP, where the sale of printers is not the sole revenue stream. Instead, the continuous sale of official supplies, such as ink and toner cartridges, forms a significant part of their revenue. Lores’ assertion that a customer not using HP supplies is a ‘bad investment’ reflects this economic reality.

Consumer Choice and Legal Challenges: The CEO’s remarks come amid a backdrop of legal challenges, including a class-action lawsuit alleging that HP deliberately prevented its hardware from accepting non-HP branded cartridges. This raises questions about consumer rights and the freedom to choose third-party alternatives, which are often more affordable.

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HP 923 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works with OfficeJet 8120, Pro 8130 Series | 6C3Y6LN
  • HP Ink Cartridges for HP printers are engineered to provide consistent quality, reliability and value
  • Works with these HP Printers: OfficeJet 8122e; OfficeJet Pro 8135e, 8138e, 8139e
  • Cartridge yield (approx.): 500 pages black, 400 pages per color
  • Trusted HP Printer Ink Cartridges for every printing need: HP 923 Ink Cartridges are perfect for everyday home, office, and small business printing needs
  • HP has kept over 2,300 metric tons of plastic out of our world’s oceans to be upcycled into HP 923 color ink cartridges for HP printers and other everyday products

Security Concerns: Lores also highlighted security concerns, suggesting that third-party cartridges could potentially introduce malware into printers and networks. While this underlines the importance of cybersecurity in the IoT era, it also feeds into the broader debate about the balance between security and consumer choice.

HP’s Future Strategy: Looking ahead, HP aims to transition printing into a subscription model. This move could further align customer usage with HP’s business interests but might also limit consumer choice and flexibility.

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HP 936 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works with OfficeJet 9120, Pro 9110, 9120, 9130, Wide Format 9730 | Eligible for Instant Ink | 6C3Z5LN
  • HP Ink Cartridges are engineered to work with HP printers to provide consistent quality, reliability and value
  • Works with these HP Printers: OfficeJet 9122e; HP OfficeJet Pro 9110b, 9125e, 9128e, 9130b, 9135e; OfficeJet Pro Wide Format 9730e
  • Cartridge yield (approx.): 1,450 pages black, 800 pages per color
  • HP has kept over 2,300 metric tons of plastic out of our world’s oceans to be upcycled into HP Ink cartridges and other everyday products
  • Trusted HP Printer Ink Cartridges for every printing need: Perfect for everyday home, office, and small business printing needs — choose HP 936 Ink Cartridges for reliable printing

Conclusion: Enrique Lores’ candid remarks about customers using non-HP supplies mark a significant moment in the ongoing debate between printer manufacturers and consumers. While HP stresses the importance of protecting its intellectual property and ensuring security, the implications for consumer choice and market competition remain critical points of discussion.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
HP 923 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works with OfficeJet 8120, Pro 8130 Series | 6C3Y6LN
HP 923 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works with OfficeJet 8120, Pro 8130 Series | 6C3Y6LN
Works with these HP Printers: OfficeJet 8122e; OfficeJet Pro 8135e, 8138e, 8139e; Cartridge yield (approx.): 500 pages black, 400 pages per color
$93.89
Bestseller No. 4
HP Original 962 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow / 962XL Black Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works OfficeJet 9010 Series, OfficeJet Pro 9010, 9020 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | 3JB34AN
HP Original 962 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow / 962XL Black Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works OfficeJet 9010 Series, OfficeJet Pro 9010, 9020 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | 3JB34AN
Cartridge yield (approx.): 2,000 pages black, 700 pages per color; Up to 2x more prints with Original HP Ink vs. non-Original HP Ink
$154.89
Bestseller No. 5
HP 952XL Black + 952 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink | Works with Printer Series: OfficeJet 8702, OfficeJet Pro 7720, 7740, 8210, 8710, 8720, 8730, 8740 | N9K28AN
HP 952XL Black + 952 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink | Works with Printer Series: OfficeJet 8702, OfficeJet Pro 7720, 7740, 8210, 8710, 8720, 8730, 8740 | N9K28AN
Cartridge yield (approx.): 2,000 pages black, 630 pages per color; Up to 2x more prints with Original HP Ink vs. non-Original HP Ink
$167.89
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HP 952XL Black + 952 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink | Works with Printer Series: OfficeJet 8702, OfficeJet Pro 7720, 7740, 8210, 8710, 8720, 8730, 8740 | N9K28AN
  • Original HP Ink is engineered to work with HP printers to provide consistent quality, reliability and value
  • These cartridges work with: HP OfficeJet 8702; HP OfficeJet Pro 7720, 7740, 8210, 8216, 8710, 8715, 8720, 8725, 8730, 8740
  • Cartridge yield (approx.): 2,000 pages black, 630 pages per color
  • Up to 2x more prints with Original HP Ink vs. non-Original HP Ink
  • 82% of HP ink cartridges are manufactured with recycled plastic
Shopping ad
HP Original 962 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow / 962XL Black Ink Cartridges (4-Pack) | Works OfficeJet 9010 Series, OfficeJet Pro 9010, 9020 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | 3JB34AN
  • Original HP Ink is engineered to work with HP printers to provide consistent quality, reliability and value
  • These cartridges work with: HP OfficeJet 9012e; HP OfficeJet Pro 9010, 9010e, 9014e, 9015, 9015e, 9016, 9018, 9018e, 9019, 9019e, 9020, 9020e, 9022e, 9025, 9025e, 9028e
  • Cartridge yield (approx.): 2,000 pages black, 700 pages per color
  • Up to 2x more prints with Original HP Ink vs. non-Original HP Ink
  • 82% of HP ink cartridges are manufactured with recycled plastic
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HP 67 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridges (2-Pack) | Works with DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100, Envy 6000, 6400 | Instant Ink Eligible | 3YP29AN | Packaging May Vary
  • HP Ink Cartridges are engineered to work with HP printers to provide consistent quality, reliability and value
  • Works with these HP Printers: DeskJet 1255, 2710e, 2720e, 2721e, 2722, 2722e, 2723e, 2724, 2725, 2732, 2742e, 2752e, 2755, 2755e, 4110e, 4120e, 4121e, 4122e, 4123e, 4130e, 4132e, 4152e, 4155e, 4158e; DeskJet Plus 4122, 4132, 4155
  • Works with these HP Printers: ENVY 6010e, 6020e, 6022e, 6030e, 6032e, 6034e, 6050e, 6052e, 6055, 6055e, 6075, 6075e, 6420e, 6422e, 6430e, 6432e, 6450e, 6452e, 6455e, 6458e, 6475e; ENVY Pro 6455, 6458, 6475
  • Cartridge yield (approx.): 120 pages black, 100 pages tri-color
  • Trusted HP Printer Ink Cartridges for every printing need: Perfect for everyday home, office, and small business printing needs — choose HP 67 Ink Cartridges for reliable printing
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