johnlabatt.ca PRINTER INFORMATION Click here If you are thinking of buying a new printer any time soon, be advised that the printer price is only part of the total cost. Be wise: check the price of the ink or toner cartridges. Manufacturers are selling printers below what it costs to manufacture them, They actually make their profit on overpriced replacement cartridges. New printers typically include minimal ink supplies in their cartridges when you purchase them. These cartridges are aptly named "moderate-use". As for replacements, some printer manufacturers are reducing the size of the ink cartridges. One manufacturer that was selling cartridges with 42ml of ink has recently introduced a printer that takes a 5ml cartridge. While the price of the newer model cartridges is half the price of the older model cartridges, the customer will be visiting the store a lot more often. The most economical printers to run are ones where you can buy compatible generic cartridges, meaning cartridges made by a third-party other than the printer manufacturer. But most consumers don't realize how fiercely most manufacturers resist generic ink catridge replacements. To judge whether you'll be able to find generic cartridges for a new printer, you'll need to know what kind of printhead it uses. All inkjet printers make use of a printhead, which is an electronic device containing nozzles that spray the ink onto the paper. Sometimes the printhead is inside the printer; sometimes it is attached on the outside of the cartridge. Inkjet cartridges with printheads on the cartridge have very strong patents, making it impossible for third-party manufacturers to sell their cartridges in North America. They can be refilled, and if handled properly, can last for up to four or more cycles. Inkjet cartridges with printheads in the printer have patents that aren't as strong. Therefore, compatible cartridges are produced. Refilling these cartridges can be messy (as it can be refilling any cartridge) and will make the printhead break down more quickly. When the printhead inside the printer breaks down, the most economical way to replace it is with a new printer. For about the past five years, two or more printer manufacturers have been selling printers that use chipped cartridges. The chip tells the printer when to stop using the cartridge. This is to prevent the printhead from drying out. Lexmark and Epson are just two of the printer manufacturers involved in recent litigation over whether consumers can use generic cartridges, or refill proprietary cartridges for re-use. There's a lot at stake here. Lyra Research estimated that laser cartridge revenue would reach $26.3 billion in 2006, in addition to another $25.5 billion revenue for ink cartridges. In reporting on Hewlett-Packard's lawsuit against a small business in California, Forbes Magazine reported that, "70 percent of HP's operating profit comes from its imaging and printing division, and most of that profit, analysts say, is from selling replacement ink-jet and laser printer supplies." Print quality has definitely improved over the years. Inkjet and laser technologies are wonderful things. It used to be one picture is worth a thousand words. Unfortunately, nowadays, with these printer companies and the price they charge for ink, it looks like one picture is worth a million words. Home John Labatt Coffee Spyware Survey KURN WEB HOSTING Reciprocal Watches Suntory John Zorn Remote Backup SW Middlesex Smartcar Windows Upgrade Writing Colonel Thomas Talbot Chef Kristian Free BEER Money Nicolas Sarkozy Richmond Row John Labatt Centre Beitrag Jobs Employment More Coffee Chef Kristian Malbec Haircut Directory