I need a cheap printer that takes cheap ink cartridges. All it really needs to do is print black and white. If it can print colour it would be alright but I just need black and white for the most part (needs to be as cheap as possible, factoring in the ink usage.). Any suggestions? Also is there a different forum where this should go? Thanks.
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Cheap printer?
- Thread starter Jospeh
- Start date
Many "cheap" printers use ink cartridges that often cost more than the printers themselves. Then again, you could save some money by choosing off-brand ink cartridges.
An example of a cheap printer is the HP Deskjet D2430. (I can't tell you where to get the cartridges, though; I personally use a laser MFP.) If you want something cheaper than that, you may want to check out the FS/FT forum here or search eBay.
An example of a cheap printer is the HP Deskjet D2430. (I can't tell you where to get the cartridges, though; I personally use a laser MFP.) If you want something cheaper than that, you may want to check out the FS/FT forum here or search eBay.
In general laser printers end up saving you alot of money in the long run
I have bought 3 of these in the past year and they are great. the toner isn't too expensive either
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113291
one of them is being used in a small office environment for probably 1000 pages a month and it is holding up great!
I have bought 3 of these in the past year and they are great. the toner isn't too expensive either
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113291
one of them is being used in a small office environment for probably 1000 pages a month and it is holding up great!
in the end, laser printers are cheaper than ink cartridges to use. although the initial costs may be more than the ink printers. ink printer companies make their money from the ink cartridges, that is why their printers are cheap but the cartridges cost a bundle. you may think you can save money on non-brand inks...i thought so too, until those inks dried on me, inside my printer and the unopened cartridges. i ended up losing the printer too due to bad printhead from dried ink.
Personally, I'd go to a cheap laser printer if you just need black and white; or even a somewhat more expensive one if the toner and cost-per-page costs are lower. You'll get much better print quality than a cheap inkjet with off-brand cartridges. Plus toner doesn't dry out, expire, or smear (provided the fuser doesn't break).
Lethal
ViragoAdmin Emeritus
- Joined
- May 27, 2000
- Messages
- 28,704
Yeah, if you look at the long-term cost of ownership, you'd be better off with a laser.
Another advantage over ink is that when an ink cartridge runs out, it runs out and if you don't have a spare, you're screwed. With laser, the print quality will start to fade, giving you some warning. Usually you can take the toner cartridge out and shake it a bit to bring it back to life for a while.
If you go ink, set it to "draft" or "medium" quality, which is fine for most stuff. You'll really go thru the ink if you print everything at "best".
Another advantage over ink is that when an ink cartridge runs out, it runs out and if you don't have a spare, you're screwed. With laser, the print quality will start to fade, giving you some warning. Usually you can take the toner cartridge out and shake it a bit to bring it back to life for a while.
If you go ink, set it to "draft" or "medium" quality, which is fine for most stuff. You'll really go thru the ink if you print everything at "best".