Comparing New Printers Which Use Less Ink Than Older Printers

2010-03-24

As every computer owner knows, the cost of a brand new printer ink cartridge can seem more than excessive. This is largely due to the way that the printer industry is set up; companies sell their actual printer units at a low cost, and then charge sometimes exorbitant fees for their printer ink to make up the difference. Each ink cartridge is usually patented to prevent competitors from offering a lower price, creating a sort of mini-monopoly for each new device. However, some printer ink cartridges are much better deals than others, and this is especially true with newer models, which often claim higher ink yields (thereby reducing the cost per print) than older models.

It's often difficult to gauge that actual yield of a new printer cartridge, however. There are several standards in the printing industry, and as such, it's hard to compare several brands of printers. It's plain to see that ink cartridge yields have been getting better within brands, though ultimately, the habits of the computer user are still the most important factor in insuring the highest number of prints from a cartridge.

For example, every computer owner should look into various alternatives to buying new printer cartridges in order to keep costs down. Using a remanufactured printer cartridge is one good option. Remanufactured cartridges work just as well as brand new cartridges, and will not void your warranty, but they often cost much less than new products as they use recycled parts and cartridges. The risk of ink leaks and other issues is no higher with a remanufactured cartridge. Printer ink refill kits are another good option. Although they're typically not supported by printer manufacturers, they're inexpensive and easy to use and are available for most major printer brands. Simply watching your printing habits is another great way to cut down on costs with a newer printer; use the "Print Preview" option whenever possible, and copy large blocks of text into a word processor rather than printing directly from an Internet browser. Using good printing habits will also reduce your impact on the environment.

Modern printers are faster, less frustrating, and offer more ink per cartridge (or at least better use of that ink) than their older counterparts. Without some common sense from computer users, however, the benefit of a new printer is somewhat limited. Consider every aspect of your ink usage, and make sure you're buying an inexpensive alternative. Use the Internet to compare ink prices and yields. This can lead to much better prints, a better outcome for the environment, and less costs for consumers. Doing a basic search around the Internet may yield lower costs for you.