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What's a good printer for minimal usage ?

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tooki:

--- Quote from: pcprogrammer on February 05, 2023, 07:44:35 pm ---Edit: A bit of a peeve is all the different models of cartridges these manufacturers develop. Makes finding the matching one a bit of a job.

--- End quote ---
I 100% agree.

Sure, I recognize that they need a few different sizes for various size (=print volume) printers, and that ink or toner formulations get improved over time (but as a consequence, can’t be used in older printers). But so much of it is gratuitous. I mean, the nonsense of manufacturing 3-4 capacities of the same cartridge (starter, standard, XL, and sometimes even XXL)… And then they region-lock them, so take all those SKUs and multiply them by 2 or 3. What a logistics nightmare.

I loved it when Canon, for example, used three series of cartridges for all its inkjets: one series of little tiny integrated-head CMY and K for its portable model, one series of normal integrated-head CMY and K for entry level desktop models, and then one series of individual ink tanks for all its midrange and higher printers (with basic models using just CMYK, advanced ones using up to 11 different colors.) And they kept those series around for years at a time, so tons of models used a given series. Eventually they’d update all the models to an updated series, but keep it around for years.

Over time, they started making separate versions for different regions, and the lifespans of each ink series got shorter. Some to split up and differentiate between lines with pigment color inks instead of dye, different sizes, etc etc etc.

Same with lasers: the old HP LaserJet 2300 I have uses a toner cartridge not shared with any other model.  |O It’s almost unchanged from the cartridge for the 2100/2200, with the conspicuous addition of a chip.  ::)

westfw:
The problem with Inkjet printers for "minimal usage" is not the rated "prints per (expensive but cheaper than toner) artridge, it that you don't get anywhere NEAR the rated number of prints before your cartridges dry up, clog (if they have built-in heads), or the printhead clogs.


I've gotten a couple dozen pages from the cheap inkjet all-in-one, and many, many, more from the cheap laser (with its starter cartridges.)


OTOH, the last set of 3rd party color laser cartridges I bought for my most recent color laser (A Brother) were essentially inoperable.  Streaks all over! :-(



tooki:

--- Quote from: westfw on February 06, 2023, 09:06:36 am ---The problem with Inkjet printers for "minimal usage" is not the rated "prints per (expensive but cheaper than toner) artridge, it that you don't get anywhere NEAR the rated number of prints before your cartridges dry up, clog (if they have built-in heads), or the printhead clogs.

--- End quote ---
Everyone here agrees that inkjets are not recommended for sporadic use, including me, who is probably the biggest proponent of inkjet. For sporadic use, laser is better.

AFAIK, the cartridge yield numbers (which are done with ISO test pages) are calculated from printing all at once until they go empty, so they will include normal periodic head cleaning, but not extra cleaning from sitting idle for long periods of time.


--- Quote from: westfw on February 06, 2023, 09:06:36 am ---I've gotten a couple dozen pages from the cheap inkjet all-in-one

--- End quote ---
Which is why I don’t recommend cheap inkjets to anyone for any purpose.

Back when I sold computers at retail, there was the ongoing offer of $100 off a printer when buying a computer, making the cheap $100 HP model free. Most customers, left to their own devices, would buy that crap, with its low capacity integrated-head two-cartridge system. I always suggested spending $50 more for the $150 Canon that used inexpensive individual ink tanks. I’d explain that one single set of inks would already make up the added upfront cost. Those customers invariably were much happier with their printers in the long run, with much lower running costs and enjoying a far, far faster, more capable printer with duplexing, color LCD, and better print quality.

magic:

--- Quote from: westfw on February 06, 2023, 09:06:36 am ---all-in-one
--- End quote ---
OMG, don't mention these horrible things unless you want me do derail this thread with my rants about how much I hate it when they refuse to scan because the ink ran out :rant:

tooki:

--- Quote from: magic on February 06, 2023, 09:18:18 am ---
--- Quote from: westfw on February 06, 2023, 09:06:36 am ---all-in-one
--- End quote ---
OMG, don't mention these horrible things unless you want me do derail this thread with my rants about how much I hate it when they refuse to scan because the ink ran out :rant:

--- End quote ---
Not all models do that.

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