The printers are cheap (if you also need a scanner price is going up a little). The ink isn't cheap though, its artificially high, and all the major printer man

The printers are cheap (if you also need a scanner price is going up a little). The ink isn't cheap though, its artificially high, and all the major printer manufacturers actively hamper your ability to go for a non-branded ink version. Cause that is where their profit margins lie.