Is A Laser Printer Right For Me?
November 6th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The average home computer user definitely does not need a laser printer. Sure laser printer prices have fallen considerably in the last couple of years. But have you look at the cost of laser toner? The average laser toner cartridge sells for over $100. The cost of replacement ink can really ad up on you. Cost of ink should not be the only factor that deters you from buying this kind of printer though.
Unless you are printing hundreds of pages each day you really don’t need a laser printer. Today’s inkjet printers have incredible print resolution, are very affordable, and replacement ink cartridges do not cost a lot. If it’s print quality that you’re concerned about, consider that you can’t even tell the difference between a laser printout and an inkjet printout.
Another thing to consider is the size of the printer. Generally laser printers dwarf the smaller inkjet printer. So if you’re looking for something compact, then a laser printer is definitely not right for you. It’s not going to fit on your desk at home.
If print speed is one of your main concerns, than a laser printer might be right for you. Most laser printers can print many more pages per minute than the average inkjet printer. The last consideration should be maintenance and or replacement costs. The parts used in laser printers are more expensive than those used in inkjet printers. So if something breaks, it going to cost a bundle to fix. I generally look at inkjet printers as easily replaced. Because they are so inexpensive to begin with, if something breaks, you can just start all over with a new printer.
Bill Smith is an expert on printers and ink cartridges. Visit his site, http://www.buythebestbuy.com, for additional information about printers.
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Can I Use My Old Ink With My New Printer?
November 3rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The quick answer is…yes and no.
Consider this. How many printer models do you think there are out there right now? 1000? 2000? Who knows. But one thing I do know is nobody is going to spend the time testing the wrong inks in the wrong cartridges all day long to see if it works.
All printer manufacturers do things a little different. Without getting technical, there are basically three different technologies for inkjet printers. Epson uses Piezoelectric, Canon uses Bubblejet and HP and Lexmark use thermal inkjet technology.
An ink designed for Canon, for instance, has a much lower convection rate than an ink made for HP or Lexmark. The reason is HP’s cartridge print heads fire at thousands of degrees. The ink must be made to withstand that kind of heat or your resulting output will be unpredictable.
Also there are basically two kinds of ink. Dye based and Pigmented. Pigmented ink particles are much larger than dye based particles so using a pigmented ink in a cartridge designed to use dye based ink will result in a clogged print head every time. Also, pigmented inks are waterfast on any surface. Notice I said waterfast and not waterproof. Pigmented inks can made waterproof if they are used with the proper media. The same goes with dye based inks.
Pay attention to this because it will apply to any ink on the market. Any dye based ink can be used in ANY inkjet printer. The color output may not be what you expected but it will work.
Not so with pigmented inks. Pigmented inks are used in most black inkjet cartridges today. Epson has a version of color pigmented inks they call DuraBrite inks. They are very expensive to make and there is quite a hefty premium on the bulk inks from any manufacturer that I have contacted.
DO NOT use pigmented inks in any cartridge that was designed to use dye based ink.
Generally speaking, HP and Lexmark inks are interchangeable because their process’ are similar. Watch for color variations though.
The newer Canon cartridges, BCI-3e and BCI-6 colors are so close that most people cannot tell them apart. Ironically the cartridges are physically identical except for the BCI-3e black which is slightly larger. The BCI-3e black takes pigmented ink while the BCI-6 takes dye based. Be careful here. Some of the new Canon printers take both BCI-3e and BCI-6 black cartridges.
To wrap it up I’ll say that you can use most inks in most printers with the exceptions that I already mentioned. Color variations, if they occur, might be compensated for in the printer driver settings. Be prepared to fiddle with it. Physical damage to the printer is unlikely in any case, unless the cartridge is leaking when you put it into your printer. But you wouldn’t do that. Would you?
Barry Shultz is the author of Atlascopy News, and President of Atlascopy, Inc. Atlascopy specializes in affordable alternatives to the high cost of printer supplies.
Sign up for the Atlascopy Newsletter for more tips and get 10% coupons every week in your email: http://atlascopy.com/signup_new.htm
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How to Shop for Inkjet Printer Cartridges
October 31st, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
When shopping for inkjet printer cartridges online keep in mind that postage can add significantly to the cost of a single inkjet cartridge. In some cases the cost of postage can be as much as the cost of the inkjet printer cartridge effectively doubling the price you pay. While this is still often cheaper and more convenient than going to your local office supply shop or newsagent to buy your inkjet cartridges it’s not really the best way to maximise your shopping experience.
Instead you should always buy a minimum of two especially if you tend to buy printer cartridges on a regular basis.
If you don’t buy printer cartridges very often then why not combine an order with a friend or group of friends and split the shipping costs.
Don’t get caught short
Have you ever noticed that your inkjet printer cartridge always runs out of ink just when an important document is half way through printing? This means you have to rush out to the nearest stationery shop and pay through the nose for a replacement printer cartridge. The solution to this is simple. Always have a replacement printer cartridge stored in your draw or on the shelf so you can replace it straight away. Then reorder another cartridge straight away. That way you never have to wait or worry if for some reason your printer cartridge delivery is delayed in the postal system.
Choosing a printer
When shopping for an inkjet printer you should ensure that you take into account the cost and availability of replacement inkjet cartridges. In particular look the availability of compatible inkjet cartridges which will save you substantially over the life of the printer. Remember that OEM inkjet printer cartridges often exceed the cost of the printer after the purchase of a few replacement cartridges.
Register and Join the mailing list
Most Internet shops give you the option of joining a mailing list and registering when you make your first purchase. Registering saves time as you are not required enter your details every time you visit. The mailing list gives you access to information about regular specials and product updates and information. They are often researching the market to bring you the best available products at the best prices. Stay up to date the easy way. Just remember to check their privacy policy to ensure that they won’t sell or pass on your contact information to any one else.
By C. Cavallaro of The Inkstop
The Inkstop a quality Australian discount inkjet printer cartridge supplier.
For more information visit http://www.theinkstop.com.au
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