Printer + Ink = Lowest cost?

davott · 26th August 2008

After only about 4 months of very light use with my latest printer, I"m already into my 3rd re-supply of inkjet cartridges. That's an ink cost of almost twice the cost of the printer!

Because of my particular situation, ultra-high quality and speed are unimportant. Overall cost is my principal criterion.

Can I have an informed show of opinions here of printer/scanner/copier combo's (fax as well, but at no extra cost)?

**Steve R Jones** · 26th August 2008

Go Laser....

I have a 4 year old (or so) Brother Laser that I paid $250.00 for (you can get a similar printer now for less) that is still using the same toner cartridges.

Also have a closet full of deskjets waiting to go to the dumpster cause I won't spend 80 bucks on new cartridges ea.

**Arie** · 26th August 2008

I have a Canon MP510 (no Fax), the model with fax is the MP530.

Advantage of these is that you have separate ink tanks for each color, so you only need to replace those that are empty. Cartridges are about $15 each. How much you use really depends on what you print (besides how much), but if you print frequently, a laser would be the way to go.

**r.leale** · 27th August 2008

I have two Canon printers. An i9950 which I print my pictures on, using only Canon sourced inks. These can be found on-line for sometimes half the shop price. The other is an i850 which I use for all other printing jobs. I have been running this for several years on bulk ink and refilling the cartridges when needed, with no problems at all. Much reduced costs!
I get my ink from bs-print.co.uk, and re-fill kits are available in various sizes.

Roger

**mattman** · 27th August 2008

For my daughters I have set up a B&W laser printer for printing in black and white. They have an inkjet for colour pages.

If you do mostly B&W, consider a laser for those.

Matt

**Rockster2U** · 27th August 2008

I've bought some Inkjet closeouts which were priced lower than the cost of a single cartridge and they came complete with two full (not starter) cartridges.

And, Steve - you are not alone. Brother HL-5170DN ........ four + years and counting. Original cartridge. Best printer I've ever owned. It will do a 100 page manual before one can say Parcheesi.

**MitchellCooley** · 28th August 2008

I can't comment on Fax, but I have a Canon Pixma MP160 and with my daughter printing a lot of web pages and photos it took about six months to empty the ink. I found the best price for ink at
123inkjets.com. Going to a refill kit next time.

But I agree with Mattman; if b/w high quality is your biggest product I'd go with a laser.

Mitch

Neil D Lyon · 11th September 2008

I found that with 3 kids,8 grandkids,10 great grandkids Church and a few other functions the cost of printing cards for all occasions,Birthdays,Anniv.
Sickness could be cut by Refilling the cartridges at Office Depot,Walgreens
or buy new at Office Depot or Wal-Mart.Office Depot also now fills Dells
cartridges