The assumption is that you've set up a desktop Windows machine. Printers are fickle things at best, made cheaply, and have mechanical in addition to software problems.
He's either got to buy a compatible printer (extra cost) or set up a windows machine too. It probably has to be on. Not the end of the world (and might be just right considering the family computer situation), but I stand by the notion that there are more potential points of failure.
I don't see how it's any more difficult to set-up a printer with a Chrome device than it is with a regular desktop, especially for a random noob user. It's just not that hard, even if you opt against Cloud Print.
Oh come on, at least tell me what's wrong with the post if you're going to downvote it? Even if we leave of Cloud print entirely, how is it harder for a user to configure a printer with this than it is with any conventional laptop? Surely you don't think the Windows process of downloading a 200MB driver hidden in a manufacturer's website is easier than the Chrome utility?
He's either got to buy a compatible printer (extra cost) or set up a windows machine too. It probably has to be on. Not the end of the world (and might be just right considering the family computer situation), but I stand by the notion that there are more potential points of failure.