Q: Cheapest new basic printer that uses the cheapest generic ink cartridges?

Discussion in 'hardware' started by zapjb, Mar 19, 2019.

  1. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    What are the cheapest new basic printers that uses the cheapest generic ink cartridges?

    Under $75 for printer & under $15 for complete set of generic cartridges.
     
  2. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    Pretty sure you could go to Newegg, Best Buy, Amazon and just look for the cheapest.

    As for using generic ink - no such thing. There are "aftermarket" inks but because they are all different from each other (and even batch to batch) and they are different from the OEM ink, there is no way to say which brand will work, and will work consistently batch after batch.
     
  3. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    OEM ink is nothing special, it's a lie, a scam.

    I'm not asking about the quality of non OEM ink.

    I just want a cheap new basic printer that readily accepts non OEM cartridges & that these are inexpensive.

    And NO that information can't be had at Newegg, Best Buy, Amazon etc.
     
  4. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    No its not a scam. It is ridiculously over priced, but it is special too.

    Those inks use very advanced, highly technical formulas to ensure the ink, once expelled through the jets hit the paper in a precise sized dot. The inks must not be absorbed into the paper. It must dry quickly and not change color. It must have the precise viscosity for those specific jets in that printer. It must mix precisely with the other colors to form precise colors. And it must do this consistently, cartridge after cartridge, year after year. These ink formulas are closely guarded secrets and each maker has their own formulas.

    Only the OEMs can control, batch after batch, year after year, the consistency of those formulas.

    The aftermarkets have to reverse engineer the formulas. They have to source the raw material and ensure consistency batch after batch. That takes a lot of $$$. And more important, Stables, Best Buy, Office Depot, LD, Walmart and all the other 3rd party ink makers do it differently.

    Therefore, every aftermarket ink brand is different and that means it WILL perform differently in the printer.

    Another problem is the printer warranty. If the printer maker cannot control the quality of the ink used, they cannot guarantee the print heads and jets will last through the warranty period. And since it is fact some aftermarket inks truly are junk and will gum up the heads, the makers cannot be held liable.

    Yes, you can find the cheapest printer Newegg, Amazon and Best Buy sells. Just sort on price "lowest to highest". But none will tell you if they accept aftermarket ink, or which brand of aftermarket ink.

    Look, I HATE paying ridiculous prices for ink too. But through years of experience, I have found OEM ink consistently performs better. That said, I have found LD ink to be the best aftermarket ink for my HP. But it has not been problem free either.

    I will also note through years of experience, when you buy the cheapest printers on the market, that's what you get - a very cheap printer. Cheap in price and quality - in print quality and in printer reliability and life expectancy.
     
  5. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    Don't believe it.

    Besides it's not helpful.

    I need current owners experiences in the parameters I asked.

    That's it. Nothing else is of use to me, the OP.
     
  6. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    Sorry, but true whether you believe it or not.

    I would like to help, I really would. But there are 100s of printers out there, and dozens of 3rd party ink makers. Since it is a fact the OEM ink formulas are company secrets (like the formulas for Coke and Pepsi) - or at the very least copyright and patented protected, the 3rd party makers have no choice but to reverse engineer them and make them so they don't violate those copyright and patent laws. Again, you don't have to believe - that does not make it untrue.

    Since there are so many printing devices and aftermarket makers, and since no printer maker is going to publish which aftermarket inks work with those printers, and since I am not aware of any review site that has done such a study, I am afraid you are on your own.

    You are just going to have search Amazon, NewEgg or where ever you want to buy from, find one in your budget range, then just start buying aftermarket ink and hope it works with your printer. Again, I have had pretty good luck with LD ink so I would start there. Good luck.
     
  7. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    Well you are not being helpful. There are people on this forum doing what I'm after. You are not one. You do not have the knowledge I seek. You're just making this clear as mud & I don't appreciate it.
     
  8. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    LOL Okay. I hope you find someone who will tell you what you want to hear because it seems that is only what you are willing to accept as fact. :rolleyes: Good luck.

    In the meantime, if you find a site that has done the work and has published a list of budget printers and done the research to determine which aftermarket inks work best on that printer, please let the rest of us know.
     
  9. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    I'd also like to know. My wife spends far too much money on ink-jet cartridges. She had a printer that accepted refilled ones, but it died. Now she has one that only uses OEM cartridges. That sucks.
     
  10. Krusty

    Krusty Registered Member

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    I use my printer so little that the black ink dried. I can buy another printer cheaper than the cost of buying new ink, at least locally in store.
     
  11. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    This is always a problem with little used printers. After I fully retired, my printing needs decreased significantly. It got to the point I set a reminder in my calendar to remind me to print a ink status page one a week just to keep the juices flowing. On my printer, it is actually the print heads I have to worry about drying out. They are a lot more expensive to replace.

    My HP uses 564 cartridges. And the problem I have with 3rd party ink is they use used "remanufactured" cartridges. And the problem there is the little plastic lever to remove the cartridge also serves as a retaining clip to hold the cartridge firmly in the printer. It can't be remanufactured, it is just part of the molded plastic cartridge case. Once used, the tension for the retaining clip part quickly becomes weak. On multiple occasions, my printer then stops and yells at me that there is a problem with the cartridge being recognized because it is no longer seated firmly. :( So far LD inks has always (and very quickly) replaced it for free, but it is still a frustrating inconvenience.

    BTW, several years ago, the printer makers got into trouble when they programmed their printers to not work if non-genuine cartridges were inserted. But they were quickly persuaded to change their ways. HP got into trouble again a couple years ago when they silently pushed out an automatic firmware update that disabled the printer if 3rd market ink was used. There was such an uproar (along with loss of sales) that they quickly pushed out another firmware update to undo the change.

    This is not isolated to the printer industry either. Keurig got into trouble a few years ago when they pushed out an update to their single serve coffee makers to force consumers to only use Keurig branded coffee pods. They found they didn't like the bad publicity that greedy move brought them and sent out another update to reverse the change. Apple Music has tried to impose similar restrictions for music on their sites.
    That's actually part of the problem. The competition is so stiff, printer makers were forced to make cheaper and cheaper printing devices - to the point, at least at the entry level - they have become disposable devices. And the only way the makers can recoup their investments, is through overpriced ink.

    Another problem - at least with the home consumer - we just don't print like we used to. All that paper kills too many trees. Even school reports and projects are submitted on line. So consumers are unwilling to spend more for a better quality printer.
     
  12. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    @ Bill_Bright
    I might have been rough on you. In your responses it was hard for me to separate the wheat from the chaff.

    But I took your suggestion about LD ink. Bought a complete set for $12 from their eBay store. First I called their CSR at 8pm EST & they were open. Told the CSR about the firmware update that borked use of my current 3rd party ink. He said they're always updating the chips on the refills & that it'll work guaranteed.

    So in a week I'll know if I'm good to go. If not I'm buying a B&W Laser printer. At that point I'll be ***** inkjets.
     
  13. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    That is bizarre. Just like razors and blades.

    Cool. I'll see if my wife has tried those.
     
  14. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    I use a Gillette double edged adjustable safety razor from ~1969 bought 2nd hand & sterilized. Using double edged razor blades from Russia from a plant owned & sold by Gillette. Costs $0.08 a blade & I get a better & safer shave.

    If I don't shave for a couple days it'd take 4-6 disposables whereas I can get 2 shaves like that out of an $0.08 blade.
     
  15. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    Right. I meant those multiblade things.

    Me, I don't shave. Never liked it.
     
  16. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

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    My 2 cents may not count for much at this point in the discussion but I feel obligated to let it be known that when I used 3rd party ink in any printer I have ever used it stopped working very shortly afterwards. Genuine ink is very greatly overpriced but I'm sure they spend a lot of time engineering it so that it is the only reliable option.
     
  17. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    No they spend a lot time sending out firmware updates that'll bork the ability to use 3rd party inks.
     
  18. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

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    I'm sure there is some of both.
    https://www.computerworld.com/article/2469251/hp-explains-why-printer-ink-is-so-expensive.html
     
  19. noway

    noway Registered Member

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    Just replaced the starter toner on my B&W laser printer after using it for 3 years. The new (re-manufactured cartridge) has 2x the capacity for about sixty bucks so the next 6 years of printing will cost me ten bucks a year. Even if I needed an inkjet I would own a B&W laser too.
     
  20. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    I appreciate you saying that. I sensed your frustration but no skin off my back because I've had this conversation many times before and knew how it works.

    The debate over OEM vs 3rd party inks (and laser toners too!) has been raging on for years with valid arguments on both sides.

    I fully understand how printer makers cannot control the quality of 3rd party inks and therefore cannot ensure they will work. And because of that, they cannot (and should not) be forced to warranty those printers (at least for print quality issues) when 3rd party inks have been used.

    And I fully understand how consumers feel they are being ripped off by the printer makers and their extremely expensive inks.

    As a technician, I have mixed feelings. I have seen printing devices work great with 3rd party inks. I have also seen print problems instantly cleared up just by replacing 3rd party ink with genuine OEM ink.

    All I can really recommend is for consumers to use OEM inks during the warranty period if they want to ensure the makers will provide warranty support. After the warranty runs out, try 3rd party inks if you want. I would just recommend you stick with one brand if happy with it to [hopefully] maintain some semblance of consistency.

    One more thing. While still more expensive, I note the HP store often has deep discount sales on their inks. I have even seen 2 for 1. Still more expensive than the 3rd party inks, but you don't risk void your warranties and I note the cartridges are always new and not "remanufactured". At least for my 564 cartridges that means they will securely "click" in place and stay fully inserted. :) Plus they have free next day shipping on all their inks and toners. I would guess Epson, Brother and the others have similar deals.
     
  21. MisterB

    MisterB Registered Member

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    I keep picking up abandoned printers that cost hundreds of dollars new and were trashed by their previous owners for minor malfunctions. HP Professional Officejets are good, the ones that have 4 printheads and 4 ink cartridges. The cost per page to print with one is negligible if you buy 3rd party ink. I recently added a low profile Laserjet. I had to clean some spilled toner off a roller to fix it. It came with a full toner cartridge good for a couple thousand pages and 3rd party toner cartridges start at around 6.99. I'm currently messing around with a Canon Pixma photo printer that was originally several hundred dollars. It has 6 ink colors and a separate printhead that can be cleaned with distilled water if it clogs and it does as good a job as the commercial photo printers at Walgreens and Wal-mart. Ink is dirt cheap but the cartridges are small and have to be changed often so I'm looking at a CIS-- continuous ink system for it. Cheap consumer printers are not the way to go. Go for a professional or semi professional business printer that has separate printheads and ink cartridges if you want to print cheaply.
     
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