Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ecs] printer advice req Ingo Pakleppa Wed, 08 Sep 2004 00:02:12 -0700

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I think this is pretty much a contradiction in terms. The problem is
that printers tend to be cheap *because* the cartridges aren't low-cost.
As a matter of fact, sometimes it can be cheaper to buy a new printer
when the cartridge is empty (although often, printers just come with a
starter cartridge that has less ink).

That said, if you are planning on printing a lot in B/W, get a laser
printer. The initial investment tends to be a bit more, although it's
quite reasonable nowadays, but the toner will last longer.

Also get a laser printer if you only print a page every couple of weeks
- ink printers dry out, and you'll waste a lot of ink. Not to mention
the hair you'll be pulling out.

If you plan on printing color, or print only a few pages per day, then
an ink jet may be your best choice. Stay away from Lexmark. They are too
protective of their cartridge design, so you won't be able to buy ink
from anybody else. Most other printer brands also don't support
third-party inks, but at least it seems to be possible to get ink from
refillers.

I wouldn't consider refilling cartridges myself. It's not worth it for
saving $10 - or if you are printing that much to make it worth it, you
should go for a laser printer in the first place.

On Mon, 2004-09-06 at 18:07, Mark Gilmore wrote:
> can anyone recommend a cheap/basic printer/scanner/copier that either uses 
> low-cost cartridges
> or cartridges that may be easily re-filled ?
> thanks
> 
> Mark Gilmore
> http://OmnipotenceSoftware.com
> 
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