Are HP's subscription and account requirements still an issue?

Yes, according to specialist-community consensus in the signals. Multiple r/printers and r/sysadmin posts cite HP printers requiring permanent internet connections, HP+ account sign-up, and locking out third-party toner. Reviewers who want a set-it-and-forget-it printer tend to be steered toward Brother on this basis, though HP's print quality itself is rated excellent by high-trust testing.