HP Plans to Trim Back Printer Business

By Geoff Duncan June 19, 2008

The Wall Street Journal has reported (and other sources confirm) tech giant Hewlett-Packard is planning to reorganize its printer business, downsizing from five units to three in an effort to achieve more operational efficiency. The changes will consolidate the company’s laser printer and commercial printer units, merge the inkjet printer unit with consumer supplies, and install a new head for its graphics unit.

HP told employees the changes will not involve any large-scale layoffs, but the company has already cut hundreds of printing-related positions in its Idaho, Washington, and Oregon facilities.

HP’s printer business has been a reliable source of profits for the company, but the threat of a “paperless office” may finally be catching up with the technology, as email, the Internet, and online collaboration systems slowly eat into the amount of printing performed by businesses and individuals.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

How to find your printer IP address and WPS PIN

the best home printers

A printer's IP address is a group of four sets of numbers separated by periods that allows wireless access to your printer's settings and information via a web browser. A WPS PIN (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is an eight-digit number that lets you connect your printer to the Wi-Fi network without a password.

At some point you’ll need your printer's IP address or WPS PIN to set up and manage it. Having that information can help with Wi-Fi connections. Whether you have an HP, Epson, Canon, or Brother printer, we'll show you how to find its IP address and WPS PIN so you can solve any wireless network issues.

Computing

Save $100 on this compact, multi-purpose home 3D printer

The AnkerMake M5C 3D printer on a white background.

Crutchfield has one of the best 3D printer deals today with $100 off the AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer. It usually costs $400 but right now, you can buy it for just $300. It’s the ideal introduction to the world of 3D printing while it’s available at such a great price. Here’s what you need to know about it or you can simply choose to buy by tapping the button below.

Why you should buy the AnkerMake M5C
The AnkerMake M5C may not feature on our look at the best 3D printers but it’s a great entry point. It’s robust yet compact so it’s easier to find room for it at home. In just 15 minutes, you can get the M5C assembled and ready to use. A dedicated AnkerMake app makes it simple to pick something from the library of 3D models to print straight from your phone, while there’s also a PC/Mac app too.

Computing

Here’s how to choose the right printer to buy in 2024

Three printers from top brands, HP, Epson, and Brother.

When you're shopping for a printer, you want good value, reliability, and great quality at an acceptable price. Our list of the best printers available is a good place to start. If you know your budget is tight, you might want to check out some of the best low-cost printers on the market.

If you can't find a good match on those lists or if you want to do your own shopping, read on to learn more about the types of printers available, common strengths and weaknesses, and the most important specs to check before making a purchase. After reading this guide, you'll know what to look for in a durable, high-quality printer that serves your particular needs without spending too much.
Inkjet or laser?
There are many types of printers, but most use either inkjet or laser printing technology. In broad strokes, they both do the same thing, rolling paper through while placing small dots on the page to create documents and photo prints.