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Hardware The Ink Cartridge Cartel
Brandon Hill (Blog) - May 1, 2006 3:08 PM
Print 56 comment(s) - last by lemonadesoda.. on May 9 at 5:51 PM
Companies take steps to protect their profits from the sale of ink cartridges

With decent photo inkjet and all-in-one inkjet printers getting cheaper by the day, printer manufacturers are trying harder to hold onto the huge profits that they bring in from the sale of ink cartridges. And let's not forget that many printer manufacturers include "starter" ink cartridges that'll quickly run out of ink and have you running back to buy those expensive "genuine" cartridges. Some companies like Canon have wised up and included a chip with cartridges to ensure that you won't be running off to buy cheaper generic carts to replenish your thirsty printer.

Epson on the other hand has a different tactic. They've decided to simply sue online retailers that sell third-party ink cartridges for its printers. Four German-based retailers backed down and settled out of court when the Japanese-based printer manufacturer came breathing down their neck. Epson has also been successful in past cases against companies in Europe and Asia. Next up: American based retailers hawking generic Epson inks. From InfoWorld:

The sale of ink refills is a lucrative business for printer makers like Epson. It's also an important part of the business model typically used where little or no profit is made on the printer itself but later recouped on cartridge sales. Trading of unlicensed cartridges threatens to upset this business model.

Given how protective companies are getting these days over the profits they generate from the sale of high-priced ink cartridges, I made sure that when I went shopping for a wireless all-in-one printer that I found one that would accept generic inks. Not to pick on Staples, but genuine ink carts for my Brother MFC-640CW at that store are $22.99 for black and $12.59 each for cyan, magenta and yellow. OfficeMax is about a dollar more expensive for each. On the other hand, I purchased generics from Overstock.com that work just fine. They cost me $10.99 for a 3-pack of black and $11.99 for a tri-color pack (cyan, magenta and yellow). I know that these printer manufacturers are trying to protect their profits, but I'm also going to look out for my wallet.

Never mind that manufacturers don't include USB cables so that the local sales rep at Best Buy, Office Depot or Staples can point you to the $19.95 "Gold-plated" USB cables when I get the same thing for a little more than a dollar from an online retailer. It's a conspiracy between the printer manufacturers and retailers I tell you!!

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Gold Ends
By cocoviper on 5/1/2006 4:44:12 PM , Rating: 2
The even more rediculous part about those $20 Gold plated USB connectors is the fact that they are WORSE at conducting than traditional connectors. Nearly all USB ports on the back of computers are coated with tin, and when you "mix metals" on your wire connectors and device plugs the conductivity is always worse, and in many cases leads to corrosion.

The best USB cables are those with standard ends and quality shielding. Not gold.




RE: Gold Ends
By Trisped on 5/1/2006 7:19:00 PM , Rating: 2
Gold is not very reactive, so it doesn't corroded (well it does, but not easily and probably not under typical use).
I talked to a chemist about it once and he explained why it worked, but I don't remember why now. Even so, I don't think the performance it is worth the 20x price.


RE: Gold Ends
By tjr508 on 5/1/2006 11:50:10 PM , Rating: 2
Gold ranks pretty far down on the conductivity list. In order for a gold plated cable to out-perform a standard cable in a home or office environment, I'd guess you would have age the cables 50 years or more. In an outdoor environment, it could be a couple days.


RE: Gold Ends
By BladeVenom on 5/2/2006 3:21:11 PM , Rating: 2
It's not that the gold itself corrodes, but gold causes corrosion in other metals due to galvanic corrosion.


RE: Gold Ends
By Wwhat on 5/2/2006 8:35:49 AM , Rating: 2
This is not quite true, the pins on most all connectors are not tin and most often goldplated, look into your normal usb connectors and not just from a distance to the outside, it's not just shielding you know.
And obviously gold is non-reactive, that's why it's so valuable.
And also obviously the goldplated shielding thing is a blingbling exaggeration to hike up the price for the thing with gold is that it's a material that can be made extremely thin and a few atoms of gold on a connector looks expensive but actually isn't.
Of course internally there can be a difference between cables, but if a cable is USB 2.0 certified it is quite good as the certification has some serious demands. (not that there isn't a chance that companies slam on the certificate without being tested)


RE: Gold Ends
By mindless1 on 5/3/2006 9:46:20 AM , Rating: 2
Not only is it not quite true, it's entirely UNtrue. ALL USB ports are gold plated. Every last one of them.

Cables, including those cetified as USB2 (supposedly) can still be problematic. Take for example those with the LEDs built into the ends, they can and do cause problems on many devices. I've actually cut open a couple and ripped the LED/driver off and then they worked fine but it was only a curious experiment, not a recommended practice.


RE: Gold Ends
By timmiser on 5/9/2006 1:56:21 AM , Rating: 2
Actually, one of my hobbies is collecting hundreds of old worthless computers that had usb ports and I scape off the gold atoms from the usb connectors. Laugh now, but someday I'll be rich! ;)

-Tim


Why I simply do not own an inkjet anymore
By segagenesis on 5/1/2006 4:21:04 PM , Rating: 2
I know you were half joking there Brandon in your last paragraph but I sometimes wonder myself whats going on here when its cheaper to buy a new printer outright than it is to buy the replacement ink. Yes, I know they sell printers with "starter inks" also to discourage this practice. It doesnt help.

My HP Laserjet 5L ran 2 years on one toner and is seemingly indestrictible. I lack the same confidence in modern printers as most of these newer inkjets seem like they will fall to pieces if you push more than one button at a time on them. Or look at them the wrong way. Or not use the magical gold plated cables.

Ink is indeed expensive, in fact 7 times more expensive by volume than $1000 a bottle champaghne. Granted, they do have to use water for the ink that contains absolutely no particles in it (clogged printer nozzles anyone?) but $50 for black ink on some printers and only 500 page yield is outrageous. It is a gray area but printer companies do have a right to protect thier "investment" by making ink cartriges non-refillable or using the DMCA to scare others to not do the same. Personally I think this is a wary tactic but they do this because they undersell the printer and try to make back money on the ink. How much money is a question only they know along with the folks at Exxon and petrol profits.

Rather than worry about it and get in a tizzy over it I just use my trusty laser and its seemingly endless toner cartrige (at least for personal use). Colour printouts? I think you can get colour lasers now for $300 or so...




By Ralph The Magician on 5/1/2006 5:14:42 PM , Rating: 2
Yeap. I remember when I used to buy InkJets. I rarely even printed color. Not only do InkJets fly through color cartridges, but they wear out over time and eventually start to produce really shitty prints, or just die all together.

I moved to a cheap, refurbished HP LaserJet that I got through my school almost three years ago for like $150. Granted, it only prints black and white by the toner cartridges last FOREVER and it prints a butt load faster than any of my InkJets ever did. On top of that it has never jammed once and still prints just as well as it does the day I bought it.

Even if you have to pay $500 for a Color LaserJet, it's worth it. If you get a good one, they last a lifetime.

I still have HP LaserJet III's that are working fine and dandy. I don't think that I've ever had an InkJet that last more than two years.

Whenever I really need to print something in color, I just go to Kinkos.


By Wonga on 5/1/2006 5:51:17 PM , Rating: 2
I completely agree with you. I've had the same Samsung laser printer for nearly four years now and it's worked out much cheaper for my needs. I've only had to replace the toner once, even though it was a very cheap laser printer to begin with. £30 a toner for 3000 prints is an ever so slightly better deal than £15 for 150 prints with an inkjet :)

The whole inkjet market is interesting. I guess it's the same as people buying cheap lightbulbs, not realising that in the long run they'll save money and reduce waste with energy-savers...


By TomZ on 5/1/2006 5:39:50 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
It is a gray area but printer companies do have a right to protect thier "investment" by making ink cartriges non-refillable or using the DMCA to scare others to not do the same.

Didn't Lexmark lose their lawsuit when they tried to use DMCA to protect their proprietary cartridges?


By CheesePoofs on 5/1/2006 7:49:36 PM , Rating: 2
I completely agree. I actually have an HP LaserJet 5L that is my main printer, and it has been in use for at least 1 full year without any toner upgrades. I had to replace one part that went bad and cause it to pull all the paper in the tray through, but that $35 was money well spent. And considering I bought the printer used (with toner included) for $25, I'm quite happy with this printer.


RE: Why I simply do not own an inkjet anymore
By tobrien on 5/2/2006 11:13:12 AM , Rating: 2
If lasers come down in price to maybe in the $200-250 range then I guess I'd buy one, but money doesn't grow on trees and right now I just can't justify the expense...


By Phynaz on 5/2/2006 3:05:52 PM , Rating: 1
You mean like the Laserjet 1018 for $129, or 1020 for $179?

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/can.do?...


generic = damage to printer?
By tobrien on 5/2/2006 11:06:33 AM , Rating: 2
I read in Maximum PC that the generic ones can also damage your printer, so that's what's been keeping me buying genuine name brands...




RE: generic = damage to printer?
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 5/2/2006 12:01:02 PM , Rating: 2
I've used generics in a number of printers:

Epson C62
Epson CX6400
Canon MP780
Brother MFC-680W

Never once did I have a problem. I also use generic toners from eBay for my Laserjet 4000tn. That baby takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It's over 6 years old and has paper jams a couple of times a month (I print a few thousand pages a month to it), but it's been a reliable workhorse.

The only reason why I even continue to use an inkjet is b/c I still need scan/fax and the ability to print color every once in a while. One of these days, I'll spring for a color all-in-one laser printer.


By Brandon Hill (blog) on 5/2/2006 12:02:38 PM , Rating: 2
edit: should be MFC-640W


RE: generic = damage to printer?
By jtesoro on 5/4/2006 11:04:06 AM , Rating: 2
Besides, in the unlikely chance that the printer does get damaged, it's real cheap to have it replaced. The money saved getting generic ink more than makes up for the cost of a new printer.


RE: generic = damage to printer?
By timmiser on 5/9/2006 2:07:42 AM , Rating: 2
That is true for cheap inkjets but I have a $600 Canon i9900 and there is no way I'll be risking anything with generic inks. I do have other cheaper printers that I use generic ink for but I frequently have problems with the quality of the generic cartridge such as a new cartridge that prints like it is running out of ink, etc.


All In One?
By lexmark on 5/1/2006 7:44:33 PM , Rating: 2
Forget oil companies and their large profits, it should be the ink companies we should be investigating for price gouging :)

I have owned an inkjet printer for more than 10 years and I am completely feed up of buying $39.99 color catridges.


Also, I had no idea that you could even buy generic catridges! Brandon (or anyone) what factor in a printer's spec sheet determine's if it will accept generic catridges?

And lastly, I noticed that there aren't many all-in-one laser printers at any of my local retail stores. Is it just me?

I have a small comp room, and don't have the space for a printer /scanner, and it frustrates me to death that I can't find a laser aio replacement.







RE: All In One?
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 5/1/2006 8:24:05 PM , Rating: 2
1) Ask around on hardware discussion forums. That's what I did before buying my Brother AIW printer. Also, do a search yourself with Google, eBay, etc. to see if generics are even available for your printer. With my old Epson CX6400, I used to get generic cartridges dirt cheap from Megatoners.com. There are other reputable places out there as well like monsterinkjets.com

2) A quick search on Pricegrabber came up with these AIW lasers:

Color
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page...

B&W
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page...


RE: All In One?
By lexmark on 5/1/2006 9:57:10 PM , Rating: 2
thanks for the information!


RE: All In One?
By timmiser on 5/9/2006 2:00:22 AM , Rating: 2
You've been buying inkjet cartridges for 10 years at $39.99 and you had no idea that you could buy generic cartridges?

Wow!


Who needs to print?
By the1physicist on 5/1/2006 9:33:37 PM , Rating: 2
Or we could try just not printing...

I seriously doubt every chain-email deserves killing a tree.




By Pythias on 5/1/2006 11:56:26 PM , Rating: 2
That reminds me. I need to get my tire pile ready for Earth Day. Thanks.


RE: Who needs to print?
By bigboxes on 5/2/2006 8:30:05 AM , Rating: 2
That was brilliant. :eyeroll: I don't print everything just to have a "backup copy", but every now and then I need to print out a letter, an envelope, or a cd label. Heck, why you are going back to the dark ages why don't you just throw your pc away and stick to a #2 pencil. That way you'll stop using oil, electricity and other harmful chemicals.


RE: Who needs to print?
By Orbitration on 5/2/2006 8:56:44 AM , Rating: 2
Funny that, I was just telling one of my clients that I no longer print anything. I save to file, and when I bill, it's electronic, either .doc or .pdf, sent by email. I figure it someone needs the paper, THEY can spend THEIR money on ink, because I absolutely refuse to print anything anymore. (not to mention the price of a stamp these days)
I have a relatively new Epson printer that went through the black ink cartridge so fast I thought the cartridge was defective.
Went to Walmart to get some more, and the total of the ink was more than the printer, so I decided then and there to never buy, refill, or use an inkjet again.
Thanks for the info on the laserjets... I just *might* pick one up, but truthfully, I'm so po'ed at the industry they can stick it at this point.
Long live text files, file transfer, and disk storage !!


Canon and generics
By Johnmcl7 on 5/2/2006 12:06:09 PM , Rating: 2
" Some companies like Canon have wised up and included a chip with cartridges to ensure that you won't be running off to buy cheaper generic carts to replenish your thirsty printer."

Is this a recent thing? Last year I picked up a Canon Pixma IP3000, one of the main reasons being that generics were cheap and worked fine with the printer. I know companies like Epson and I think Lexmark had chips to prevent refills.

John




RE: Canon and generics
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 5/2/2006 12:12:13 PM , Rating: 2
The IP3000 uses the standard BCI cartridges. Newer Canon printers use the CLI cartridges which have the chip.


RE: Canon and generics
By Staples on 5/2/2006 5:48:41 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, a couple of years ago I bought a Canon for this very reason. Canon was the only printer who had generic ink cartridges and they were like $2 each off Ebay. I bought like 20 of them. They are so damn small though that I'd have to replace them all the time.

Anyway, I am sad to see this go away if it is true. I recently ran out of ink for my troublesome refurb Canon printer and bout a laser printer. Take that you bastards.


RE: Canon and generics
By Fox5 on 5/3/2006 10:50:39 AM , Rating: 2
My HP printer apparently uses a chip as well to detect ink level.
I put a brand new ink cartridge in, printed a few times, took it out, and then put it back in, and then the printer would no longer let me print because it couldn't determine the ink level.


And the Middle Class Get Screwed...
By GTaudiophile on 5/2/2006 7:38:45 AM , Rating: 2
Just another one of the MANY examples of how the world tries to screw the Middle Class.

I personally have moved on to a Samsung laser printer. (ML2010 for $60 AR) I should get at least 1000 pages or so on one toner cartridge. For photo printing, I use the professional systems at photo developing labs where you can print an 8x10 for $1.00. At the rate I print photos versus B&W text, this is a far more economical solution for me.




By ROcHE on 5/2/2006 8:34:31 AM , Rating: 2
Don't forget the Ebay refills for the Samsung ;)

Now that's some cheap printing.


By timmiser on 5/9/2006 2:04:34 AM , Rating: 2
Middle class? Seems like they are screwing all classes to me.


epson genuine ink cartridges
By yzhu92 on 5/3/2006 1:21:02 AM , Rating: 2
i have never ever bought genuine epson cartridges for my epson printer...

why would i buy genuine ones when the other generic ones work perfect & last the same as the epson ones (and in some cases, the generic ones last longer than the epson ones =P).

hehe so i would definitely not buy genuine ones, the generic ones are only 8% of the price of the genuine ones.




RE: epson genuine ink cartridges
By yzhu92 on 5/3/2006 1:24:09 AM , Rating: 2
and btw, if i bring the generic ones back to the store, for each one i bring back i get a 20% discount on the next generic one. thats awesome. but the deal doesnt apply to genuine cartridges lol.


By marvdmartian on 5/3/2006 12:05:09 PM , Rating: 2
I tried that on an Epson printer I bought, to try out, since I'd heard so much praise about them. Don't know if the generic carts were garbage, or it was just a POS printer model, but every time I tried the generic carts, it would clog one or more of the color nozzles, to the point where it was impossible to get a decent print anymore.
I did get Epson to send me two replacement printers, both after a ~10 minute phone call with their tech support folks (who I swore to, that I'd only used "genuine" Epson cartridges), but after going through 3 printers in about 8 months, I finally gave up on them.
I might try a Canon some day, but for now, for the generic (non-photo) printing that I do, I'll stick with my Lexmark. It was cheap, and the cartridges (even the ones from the factory that came with the printer) last forever.....for me, at least!


What a coincidence...
By redbone75 on 5/1/2006 5:55:29 PM , Rating: 2
How amazing that this article is posted when this very weekend I received, in the mail, a legal notice informing me that I qualified for an online rebate at the Epson store regarding a class action lawsuit. It was filed in California and other state courts and entitled "In Re Epson Ink Cartridge Cases (Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding No. 4347)". From the legal notice:

"Plaintiffs assert claims against Epson America, Inc. ("EAI") based on various legal theories, including breach of contract, breach of implied warranties, unjust enrichment, fraudulent concealment... relating to the performance and other characteristics of Epson inkjet printer cartridges. Among other things, Plaintiffs allege that Epson inkjet printers and inkjet cartridges indicate that cartridges are "empty" and suspend printer function, even though substantial ink remains."

I can vouch for the whole "even though substantial ink remains" line. Broke open a couple "empty" cartridges to find a goodly amount of ink remaining. I had always thought that printer manufacturers and resellers were being a bit shady on the whole ink thing. I had a Lexmark printer before (ugh!), and even though the printer itself was relatively cheap (US $120) the ink, black and color, were $29.99 and $39.99 each, respectively. Not only that, the printer oversaturated colors so I found I was buying ink like crazy. I think my next printer purchase will be a color laser.




USB cable
By livinloud on 5/1/2006 9:07:27 PM , Rating: 2
Did you know that a USB 10' Gold cable is only 3,50 CND? So I think that Staples is making a huge profit on that. Go to a local store they could sell you this for a merely 10$ or even less some are at 5$ so it could be a good idea to always go to a local computer store before going to the no service Staples.




RE: USB cable
By mindless1 on 5/3/2006 9:48:18 AM , Rating: 2
Practically all B&M stores are making a killing off of cables. Consider Digikey, not exactly a place one goes to save $ on parts, even they sell reasonable quality USB cables for $3.


It aint all laserjet gravy.
By Dfere on 5/2/2006 9:53:29 AM , Rating: 2
I agree with all the posts about laserjets- I bought 1 $175 samumsung ML 710 years ago. Works great. I use it for SOHO. However, I know I get incredibly different mileage out of the same toner refils... easily noticeable during tax season printing. I have been hoping to find a site which has established and tested the manufacturers claims on toner usage.. to no avail.

And BTW, you can get refills for a third the price online for the thing.

What I really want is a color something (inkjet or laser) that can easily print labels and on envelopes and be a sheet fed fax for under $1,000 and have not found anything to fit that bill....................... anyone?




By Brandon Hill (blog) on 5/2/2006 10:14:26 AM , Rating: 2
I'm sure that one of the color AIW's that I listed up above would suit your needs:

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page...


Refill
By InternetGeek on 5/2/2006 12:28:31 PM , Rating: 2
I don't buy generic cartridges. I simply learned to refill the originals and made sure they were the kind that will accept refilling for years to come.

As much as Canon/HP/etc want to sue generic cartridges makers they can't sue Ink makers.





RE: Refill
By Chernobyl68 on 5/2/2006 2:34:40 PM , Rating: 2
I prefer the HP inkjets for the same reason. when you get a new cartridge, you get a new print head. great quality.
Now, I don't like the cost anymore than any of you, but until recently I haven't been able to afford looking at a laser printer. I don't think the all-in-one color laser printers are very cheap in any case.


When ink runs out, just buy a new printer.
By stringmun on 5/3/2006 2:44:32 PM , Rating: 2
With the advent of cheap ink jet printers ie low end Lexmarks for $29.00, or low end HP's for $40.00 I would rather just buy a new printer each time my ink ran dry. With most black and white cartridges at $25.00 and color cartridges at $45.00 it would just stand to reason that a new printer would be the best solution. Because usually about that time the ink rollers tend to start messing up by grabbing more than one sheet at a time esp on the Lexmark inkjets. So I feel this is how I beat the Printer Manufacturers at their own game....they trick us into buying an inexpensive printer only to sell the cartridges at 800% markup.So a new printer every 8 mos or so is not a bad deal.




By lemonadesoda on 5/9/2006 5:51:32 PM , Rating: 2
I completely agree. It seems to make sense to buy a new printer every 6 months or so when the ink runs out... However,

Be warned. New printers now come with "extra small" XXXS ink cartridges. They probably won't even last one ream of A4 at normal print density.

And each time you buy a new printer you will need to install new drivers.

We got so fed up of cheapo plastic printers with rubbish bloat drivers and jamming the paper and costing a fortune on ink that we bit the bullet and bought a big Xerox Solid-Ink-Stick Phaser printer. We're delighted. Although a big outlay, it is saving us money and time. And it prints on anything.

P.S. this is not supposed to be an advertisement. Just a warning that going the cheap route is sometimes more expensive that you realise.


Incorrect information on Canon
By PrinceGaz on 5/2/2006 1:21:14 AM , Rating: 1
"Some companies like Canon have wised up and included a chip with cartridges to ensure that you won't be running off to buy cheaper generic carts to replenish your thirsty printer."

While it is true that Canon cartridges include a chip to report ink-level, it is understandable why they include it and commendable that they allow you to ignore it.

If the cartridge runs totally dry, the print-head that is seperate from the cartridge could be damaged. Therefore the chip warns you when the ink level is low. You can ignore the warning and continue printing if you wish, and after four "no ink" warnings, it will allow you to disable the ink level monitoring feature altogether but that does void the printer's warranty. You can therefore freely refill cartridges etc on Canon printers and they allow you to do so. Only heavy users would need to so anyway as they are the cheapest to run of any printer manufacturer, but the option is there if you wish.

Basically, the chip is there to ensure you don't inadvertantly damage the printer, and to ensure they don't get people returning them in the guarantee period for repairs after using third-party or refilled cartridges. They don't stop you using third-party or refilled cartridges if that is what you want to do, but just as with overclocking CPUs or graphics-cards, you do so at your own risk.




By irev210 on 5/2/2006 2:02:48 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, the older canon printers that didnt have a chip used a light prism to detect the ink levels. Atleast the model I have does.


Canon ink is reasonably priced at about 10-13 dollars per tank at retail stores. I always buy the genuine canon because it has a decent price from the start, and they have a clear ink tank, so you can actually see visually that you are not getting screwed.

I use my canon to print photos, and I just get the feeling that an inexpensive chinese made ink is not going to print the same quality photos that will last as long as original canon ink that is made in Japan.

All txt documents I print, I print on a laser. The speed and cost per page advantage is just too huge to ignore. Though I always find myself wanting a laser printer that prints faster and faster. Even 27ppm seems slow :(

Maybe when they get to 35 ill upgrade again.


More BS
By exdeath on 5/4/2006 3:34:57 PM , Rating: 3
I'm getting tired of companies that want you to pay for nothing or try to milk a product they made one time for all eternity.

Music and movie companies would love it if they could make you pay each time you watched a movie instead of selling you a disc that you could keep (just last week there was the fuss from HBO over PVR devices). The failed divx DVD standard (pay per view DVD), etc. If they could get away with it you would have to pay over and over again for everything song you listened to or movie you watched.

Then we have printer companies want to sell you water over and over again for ridiculous prices and suing if you DIY.

What happen to actually making and selling real tangible products?

Seems these days everyone is trying to find some niche they can make money on without actually producing anything, or trying to keep making money on something old without ever putting any additional effort into it (ie: pay per view philosophy)

I don't know about anyone else but when I pay for something it's mine and I want a tangible unexpendable product to do as I please with.




It's all down to prices
By AnnihilatorX on 5/3/2006 5:34:34 AM , Rating: 2
I'd support generic ink if they are reasonably priced. It's just ridiculous right now

I prefer if the printers are priced higher while inks are cheaper




it sucks
By otispunkmeyer on 5/3/2006 6:22:00 AM , Rating: 2
ive always hated this, especially with Lexmark. who charge like £18 for a black and over £25 for a colour cart for a printer thats complete shit and cant even print text properly. that thing went in the bin.

same with HP the carts are super expensive, and the all in one HP printer we have is again complete trash. its gets a paper jam after every printed sheet, it prints 3 parallel streaks down the LHS of every page, and has a wierd habit of giving the first 3 or 4 words of every line a shadow!

the two printers ive mentioned have the print heads on the cart, supposedly to ensure top not print quality every time you change. BullSh1t thats what that is.

my current printer is a canon all in one, the print heads are in the printer and not on the carts, black is £6.99 colour is £10.99, theyre super easy to refil because they are just spongey stuff inside and the print quality is more than acceptable. plus tesco sell generics for £2.50 black and £3.50 ish for colour.




Old Laserjets
By mindless1 on 5/3/2006 9:59:49 AM , Rating: 2
My several year old HP Laserjet III has over 400,000 page count, and with bulk toner refills and periodic drum replacement, costs roughly 0.5 cent a page. It has worked flawlessly except for one plastic gear replacement (found replacement gear on a surplus 'site for 50 cents) a couple years ago.

You guys must want color pretty badly, you are paying dearly for it.




By brycejones on 5/3/2006 10:22:54 AM , Rating: 2
I have not paid more than pennies for factory inkjet cartridges in years. There are so many deals on printers it is usually easy to find a printer that has compatible ink for free or next to free after rebates. Usually any cost not covered by rebates is covered when I sell the printer on eBay minus the ink cartridges.




Hobbicolors sold on eBay.com
By NightCrawler on 5/3/2006 7:12:17 PM , Rating: 2
About $1 to refill the cart with Hobbicolors new UW8 ink which is for Canon 4200, 5200 etc models that have the new memory chip in them. The ink also works in older models of Canon with the bci-6 tanks.

Also note that Canon has not stopped people from refilling only stopped the generic cart industry from selling $2 to $5 carts which are the ones that most people buy. Not to many people take the time to refill the cart for $1.

5000 pages = $10 = Canon inkjet
5000 pages = $135 = Laser

I was buying formulabs ink from http://alotofthings.com but will try Hobbicolors ink from http://eBay.com next time around. It's more expensive but is getting good feedback from other users.

PS: Epson corp sucks....their scanners aren't bad though.




Laserjets as an alternative
By Anemone on 5/9/2006 10:36:45 AM , Rating: 2
Color lasers are getting into the "more" reasonable range these days, but do have a look at what a color toner replacement set costs. When I checked one of those $500 laserjets and then found out that the toners were $520 (4 color) to replace you get a new definition of what is affordable. I suppose the benefit is the toners last a long, long time, but bear in mind the replacement supplies is still a "gotcha" in that business.




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