Here’s a brief history:

First was dot matrix, and it was good. Then it wasn’t. Then was laser or inkjet with laser being too expensive so on many desks at home Canon became canon (Apple StyleWriter was a rebranded Canon), and it was good. Some cartridges were even interoperable. Then HP made some and that stopped. Then it was also expensive and HP became (more) evil and basically never stopped and is now the 800 pound gorilla.