My printer was a gift from my parents. My father purchased it because of how cheap the ink cartridges were. And he was right- they are quite cheap. The problem’s not with them- the trouble is that half the time, I can’t actually get the bloody thing to print, inexpensive cartridges or no. Suffice it to say, I’ve effectively sworn off this particular brand, after doing a bit of research and finding out that my problem is most assuredly a common one.
I’m here to provide all of you with a bit of advice- to ensure that you don’t get stuck with a lemon, like I did. Just a quick and dirty list of a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re looking to buy yourself a printer.
The Ink Cartridges
The first thing you’ll want to look at is the brand of ink cartridges your printer uses- as there’s a good chance that the firmware and design will only allow it to use those. How much do they cost? How long, typically, do they last? What are people saying about them? Basically, treat the cartridges for the printer as a separate product.
The Reviews
Next, look into each of the printers you’re considering. What are people saying about them? Do they allow you to use recycled cartridges? How reliable is the printer? How does it function? If people seem genuinely unhappy with the device, chances are you should steer clear and buy a different one. Check a couple different review sites, just to be sure. Ideally, you’ll want to go for something that has 4/5 stars or higher on most major sites.
The Price
Pretty obvious, and depends entirely on how much you’re willing to spend on a printer. If you made a budget, stick to it- that’s all I can say.
The Age and Warranty
When was the printer released? What sort of warranty is on it? The reason I’d recommend asking these questions is thus: what if you end up buying a printer that’s several years old, only to find that the cartridges for it go out of production just a few years down the line?
Extra Features
Think about what sort of additional features it’s packing for the price you’re getting it- and whether or not you need them. Does it have a scanner? Wi-fi capability? USB jacks? A built-in coffee machine? Shop around, and compare. Just keep in mind that more bells and whistles doesn’t automatically mean a better product.
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I just think of them as short lived disposable commodity.
I just buy the 20 dollar specials and after a year or so of infrequent use when the ink cartridge goes dry, instead of buying another one at 30 dollars a pop, I just throw the whole printer away and start anew.
If all you’re printing is text I guess throwing out your printer just to save a bit is OK but you are getting a cheap printer. If your are printing Photos it’s a bit different. I have a few Kodak printers, Kodak 6400 photo printer, a Kodak 7000 Photo printer and for everyday use a Kodak Office Hero 6.1. As you can see I’m a Kodak printer fan. The nice thing about the Office Hero 6.1 is that you only buy the ink. Many printers, HP, Canon, Epson etc. when buy cartridges they include the print head which costs you almost double. The Kodak Office Hero has the print head separate, all you are buying is the ink. This saves you a lot over time. My opinion is that Kodak (not in the greatest financial situation) still makes the best printers, this is where they shine. Their photo printers are the best. Try them at CVS Pharmacy or Target, you make the choice. Look at the quality of your photo print!!! The Office Hero 6.1 for an all in one printer also prints a great photo print…Clear, no lines and the color is true. For text it uses less ink and again true colors (if needed) and a very clear text.