I don't own a printer - used to but didn't use it enough and it stopped working because of it. Locally, I can get 4x6's (unedited by them) for $.15 each and the quality is great from their Fuji Frontier. It's even at a grocery store I normally shop at.

I always edit and re-size so all they have to do is print exactly as I submit the image. I burn to CD and bring them in that way but if the kiosk took a USB flash drive that would be even more convenient. At their prices, I have a hard time believing that I could do it cheaper myself (cost of ink and paper, as well as printer itself). I don't make many prints and this store is very convenient to get to. If you have a printer, you will need to use it occasionally to keep the ink cartridges from getting clogged.

Mpix has a way to order prints unedited - after you upload, check a box for "no corrections" or something like that... Never had a problem with them.

I agree about having a calibrated monitor - with experience and an uncalibrated monitor you can get pretty close but usually not consistent. Really, this is important for any image editing - whether or not you print yourself or send the files to a lab.