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General Category => Computer questions => Topic started by: edward on January 08, 2011, 09:12:06 am
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Just wondering what kind of printer you all use, I have a Lexmark and the replacement ink is so expensive. I'am looking for a printer with less expensive ink refills, any ideas are welcomed Thanks Edward
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I have an HP all in 1 desk jet but also uses high priced ink cartridges.The scanner/printer comes in handy, I buy a kit and refill them several times as I only use the black most of the time.Kodak advertises its printer and claims cheap ink ??maybe a laser would be a good choice if you use it a lot.Perhaps others will respond with their opinions.
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I just replaced my printer recently. Ink is expensive on all printers, but generally I find it is better to use a printer with separate cartridges for each color rather than a single cartridge for all three colors. My latest printer actually uses 5 cartridges but I can replace them individually as they run out. Another consideration is that when using an inkjet, you do not save money by buying extended quantity cartridges unless you use it often enough to exhaust the ink in a reasonable time period. The ink will dry out if unused, so you may be better off buying smaller cartridges more frequently. Printing photos is satisfying, but it is usually cheaper to email the pics to a photo service and have them printed there. To my knowledge, HP is the only ink manufacturer that actually gives an estimated number of pages printed from each cartridge. That can help you decide what size cartridge to purchase also.
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I also bought a Lexmark to let me do color prints and had sticker shock when I had to replace the cartridges. It is almost cheaper to buy another printer. I also have an HP laser that I bought in 1994. It is black and white but have only bought 3 or 4 toner cartridges since. They are almost a $100 but last a long time. They are supposed to do 5000 copies but that would depend on the amount of black on the copy.
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I use a simple B/W laser printer.
Some years ago I noticed I do not use the other colors - I always print text ( ...and now patterns), but no colorful stuff.
Pictures can be ordered online - that's much cheaper than printing them yourself.
regards
Torsten
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Mine is an HP 6310 'all in one' printer, scanner, copier and fax. I do use ALL the functions and I like it very much.
It is common knowledge that the Printer manufacturers would almost be happy to GIVE you the printer if they could REQUIRE you to buy only their cartridges!
My 'workaround' to buying the HP cartridges is to buy 'remanufactured' cartridges from a reputable supplier. There are many companies that 'refill' cartridges but many of them are not really testing and providing guarantees that their cartridges are 'exactly' like brand new.
For the last two years I have been using LD Products cartridges and have had only one that had to be returned simply because it would not be recognized by my system. It was replaced with a simple phone call!
HP-92 Blk...$9.99 3 for $27.00 ~~ HP OEM cartridge...$15.99
HP-95 Color...$10.99 3 for $30.00 ~~ HP OEM cartridge...$26.99
Easy to see that I can buy THREE color cartridges for only $3.00 more than the Factory item!
If you choose to go this route make sure that the cartridges are "remanufactured" and not just 'refilled' as at Walgreen's and the office supply stores and many other of the online vendors.
My Thoughts, My Perceptions, My Opinions!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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I like my cheap Kodak Printer/scanner/copier about $89.00 at Wal-Mart.
The ink is cheap and seems to go a long way.
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I have the HP 6180 (similiar model to GB's) all in one printer, scanner, copier and fax. The only problem I have with this model is vista keeps dropping the drivers. It works great with XP. I use it every day for my online business.
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I have a Epson Stylus RX680, The only reason is: it has the ability to print directly on the face of a CD or DVD and I use that feature a lot.
I do think the ink is very expensive and there are few places that offer remanufactured cartridges for Epson printers.
I've had three different HP's in the past and all were very satisfactory.
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"I have a Epson Stylus RX680, The only reason is: it has the ability to print directly on the face of a CD or DVD"
I didn't know there was a printer that could do that. But then it seems I'm always behind the times when it comes to technology lol
Thanks for the info :)
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My computer has "light scribe". It will scribe onto a disk. There are all kinds of patterns and fonts to use. It's pretty cool!
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Sawdust Dave....I wouldn't fault the printer when Vista can't keep up!
~~~GB~~~
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Dan...the "lightscribe" feature is part of the CD/DVD drive and its software and is a great thing for those of us who make CD's and DVD's for backup of certain items like "Scroll Patterns-1/1/2011" and other essential backups!
Sure beats 'scribbling' on the media with a 'Sharpie'!
~~~GB~~~
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I bought a cheap one from a big box store it's a Canon 2600 the ink is a pretty good price and it last awhile I don't use the color ink for the patterns so this works for me at the time I payed (I think) 30 US dollars for it and the Black ink is only 13-17 US dollars depends on where I get the ink.
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GB... Bad choice of words on my part. I like the printer but not Vista.:)
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I have an HP 6500 all-in-one wireless, works great. We got our son an HP for college he has had it for almost 4 years now no problems. We went through 2 epson printers they didn't last, won't go there again.
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I have a Hp c3180 printer scanner copier goes OK but the ink is expensive and can't use refill cartridges, black and color cartridge is around $78 so I am careful on what I print
Jimbo
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I have a hp all in one. I wore out several lexmarx printers but not my hp all in one. I drug it too and from college dorm rooms and apartments for almost 8 years. I recently replaced my computer and got a newer model because is was such a great deal.
I have considered getting a laser printer for all of the black and white scroll saw stuff, but I just don't have the desk space for two printers.
One lesson on getting the most out of your ink cartradge I learned a long time ago is that you really need to keep using it. Letting it sit for long periods with out printing is really hard on them.
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Very True! mrsn!
The ink will try to 'dry out' if it sits too long. If you don't do anything else, once in a while, just go to the control panel, printers section. and run a 'Test Print"...uses very little ink but keeps it flowing...
~~~GB~~~
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Lets see. I have a Cannon, Lexmark, Epson, Kodak, 2 HPs. I think that is all. 8)
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HP Photosmart Premium All-in-one. Works good, but ink is expensive. Contemplating a Continuous Ink Supply System for it. Cost is about equal to buying all 5 large capacity cartridges, but it's a one time purchase, and bottles of ink are relatively inexpensive. I was just about to commit to a CISS for my Epson Artisan 800, but that printer bit the dust at just over a year old (naturally the warranty was over! >:() Wouldn't buy another Artisan after reading how many were crapping out on people, so I bought the HP, and although it doesn't print as nicely as the Epson did, I'm mostly satisfied.
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I buy my ink from a store on EBAY called Inkmarts. I get the HP 7 pack (5 color and two Black) for $15 with free shipping. The color cartridges I get are 18ML and the black are 45ML. The cartridges are a generic brand but they work fine and last alot longer than the HP brand you get at a big box store. They sell ink for several different printers. I've bought twice from them with no problems.
http://stores.ebay.com/inkmarts (http://stores.ebay.com/inkmarts)
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i use a Epson R200 series printer,5 different inks,as others they are expensive,more so when the kids are let loose onit
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I have a Dell all-in-one and the ink is expensive as all get out. I tried "remanufactured" ink and it didnt work out too good. It says the color ink is low and the black cartridge doesnt even register as being installed. Got the ink from a place online called www.inkgrabber.com dont do it. I will pay the extra money for the actual Dell ink and know it will work.
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Every Dell printer I have ever had dealings with just did not like the remanufactured cartridges!
They are also hard to find.
~~~GB~~~