3 ms·

I wonder if it's cheaper to just buy a new ink-jet printer instead of refilling? Also all this printer lock-down bs should be flat out illegal.

TuringNYC 3y ago
>> I wonder if it's cheaper to just buy a new ink-jet printer instead of refilling? Unless you are printing color, a Brother laser is the way to go. I purchased my printer 5yrs ago and purchased only a single toner replacement over the years. Best no-nonsense purchase ever.
- ghaff 3y ago
  I actually noticed last night that I need to replace my Brother toner cartridge. But I think it's been a few years since I just gave the current cartridge a bit of s shake :-)
- mnw21cam 3y ago
  And if you are printing colour, then a Brother ink-jet isn't a ridiculously stupid way to go either. I have a Brother DCP-J4120DW, about 7 years old. It sat unused for about 3 years, and just took a few head cleans to get it going again. Now it prints two sides every couple of weeks, whenever I do click&collect at the local supermarket. Ink was last bought more than a year ago.
- yencabulator 3y ago
  And if you are printing color, a color laser is the way to go. Unfortunately, it's hard to buy a new printer that isn't evil. Brother has gone down road too, it's no longer the non-evil option.
karaterobot 3y ago
I believe the ink cartridges that come with (some) new printers aren't close to full size, so you wouldn't be getting a full set of new ink cartridges with every purchase. I would speculate that if they went to that length, they probably calculated the break even point for the price of cartridges vs. the price of a new printer. My guess would be no, but it would be very funny if that was wrong.
kyrra 3y ago
Check out the Epson Eco tank. There is no cartridge with a microchip. You just fill the ink tank on the printer with bottles, so if third parties can make it for cheaper than Epson it'll work just fine.
bshacklett 3y ago
I don’t know if it’s still the case, but it used to be that the cartridges that came with a printer were way underfilled. If so, you’re likely much better off buying the new cartridges.
Ekaros 3y ago
Depends on amount and frequency of printing needs. Some low amount and low frequency, it probably is. When you don't fully use the cartridges it makes sense to get the cheapest option.

TuringNYC 3y ago

>> I wonder if it's cheaper to just buy a new ink-jet printer instead of refilling? Unless you are printing color, a Brother laser is the way to go. I purchased my printer 5yrs ago and purchased only a single toner replacement over the years. Best no-nonsense purchase ever.

ghaff 3y ago
I actually noticed last night that I need to replace my Brother toner cartridge. But I think it's been a few years since I just gave the current cartridge a bit of s shake :-)
mnw21cam 3y ago
And if you are printing colour, then a Brother ink-jet isn't a ridiculously stupid way to go either. I have a Brother DCP-J4120DW, about 7 years old. It sat unused for about 3 years, and just took a few head cleans to get it going again. Now it prints two sides every couple of weeks, whenever I do click&collect at the local supermarket. Ink was last bought more than a year ago.
yencabulator 3y ago
And if you are printing color, a color laser is the way to go. Unfortunately, it's hard to buy a new printer that isn't evil. Brother has gone down road too, it's no longer the non-evil option.

karaterobot 3y ago

I believe the ink cartridges that come with (some) new printers aren't close to full size, so you wouldn't be getting a full set of new ink cartridges with every purchase. I would speculate that if they went to that length, they probably calculated the break even point for the price of cartridges vs. the price of a new printer. My guess would be no, but it would be very funny if that was wrong.

kyrra 3y ago

Check out the Epson Eco tank. There is no cartridge with a microchip. You just fill the ink tank on the printer with bottles, so if third parties can make it for cheaper than Epson it'll work just fine.

bshacklett 3y ago

I don’t know if it’s still the case, but it used to be that the cartridges that came with a printer were way underfilled. If so, you’re likely much better off buying the new cartridges.

Ekaros 3y ago

Depends on amount and frequency of printing needs. Some low amount and low frequency, it probably is. When you don't fully use the cartridges it makes sense to get the cheapest option.