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Post by SpyderLady on Jun 23, 2007 12:21:01 GMT -6
Inkjet Printers Lie Steal and Pollute
Written by Hank Green
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Turns out you've got another reason to go Office Space on your InkJet. It's something that geeks have suspected for quite some time, printers are set to report that cartridges are out of ink far before they actually are.
EPSON (who turned out to be least evil) commissioned the study to determine how full cartridges were when they reported they were "out of ink." The results...some printers report they are "out of ink" when they're only half empty. Worse, the firmware will continue to nag you about it and occasionally will not even allow you to print until you replace the cartridge. Kodak came in last place, wasting up to 60% of ink, while Epson faired best, wasting about 20%.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since one can literally buy a new printer for the same cost as new ink cartridges. This kind of hyper-disposable attitude is completely the opposite of what EcoGeek stands for, and I've got a mind to take my printer out into an empty field right now and introduce it to Mr. Louisville.
But for those of you who really do need printers, here are a few tips:
* Avoid single cartridge printers, as the cartridges need to be replaced every time a single color runs out
* Always recycle ink cartridges, all big stores will take them as printer companies will actually pay to get them back
* Print in black and white as often as possible. No reason to waste expensive color ink 95% of the time
* Never listen when your printer says it's out of ink. It's lying.
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Post by SpyderLady on Jun 23, 2007 12:23:03 GMT -6
I always keep using mine no matter how many times it warns me. I use them until they do not print well. Yes they do lie. Ink is soooo expensive! If I ever get a new one, I will get one with individual colors because I realized a long time ago, you always use more of one color and then it is useless.
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Post by califgirl on Jun 23, 2007 12:25:58 GMT -6
Good to know, I have a fairly new printer, and didn't replace the ink when it told me to. Of course they make them so you can't see how much is left.
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Post by froggie on Jun 25, 2007 7:16:34 GMT -6
When mine is getting low it shows up on my screen. It has pictures of tubes & shows how much is in there. It always starts its warnings too soon,in my opinion. But since I have a Dell & have to order online & wait for it by mail,I assume its just giving me time to get it with out running out. However I saw on tv Wal Mart is advertising Dells now & should go check if they carry the ink too. I just hate going there.
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Post by stlblue on Jun 26, 2007 11:28:12 GMT -6
I have an Epson with six color cartridges. when the print window comes up it has a graph showing how much color remaining in each color. When it gets to about 20% a notice pops up on that color. I keep using it until it does stop printing and I know the cartridge is empty
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Post by SpyderLady on Jun 26, 2007 13:31:26 GMT -6
Yep that is the kind of printer I want if I ever get another one. Sure beats buying a new expensive cartridge just cause I used a lot of red and ran out of it.  I know ya'll discussed taking empties to a refill place. I still haven't heard of one of those around here. Yeah, since the new ones are only half full but if you get a refill, they fill it up. Probably a triple saving. |
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Post by stlblue on Jun 27, 2007 13:18:27 GMT -6
Might check with Walgreens, some stores refill cartriges for a reasonable price.
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Post by SpyderLady on Jun 27, 2007 23:46:42 GMT -6
I got two scripts I left there so I will be going tomorrow or next day. I will ask but I am sure they don't. They seem to barely have enough working in the pharmacy. It takes forever to get waited on there!
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Post by mahjong on Jun 28, 2007 7:53:25 GMT -6
I'm like Froggie,mine is a Dell.You can't find cartriges anywhere,and very expensive buying from Dell.I also saw there selling Dells at Wal-Marts,I'll give a update.(mama mahjong favorite store.) My ink told me I was out back in December,still using it.lol
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Post by froggie on Jun 29, 2007 7:02:17 GMT -6
MJ, I can get a combo-pack from Dell 1 color & 1 black for $57 then about $3 for shipping. I dont think thats too bad considering some ppl pay that for just 1 cartridge.(even at wal mart) What kind of printer is it,other than Dell? I have AIO scanner,copy machine, & photo printer w/pic bridge.
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Post by SpyderLady on Jun 29, 2007 11:55:41 GMT -6
That is cheaper than HP ink cartridges.
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Post by califgirl on Jun 29, 2007 13:43:25 GMT -6
I have a lexmark all in one inkjet printer. I have only purchased the refills once which is black and color. I paid $42.00 for both online.
I don't know if that is a good price. But it seemed to be.
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Post by froggie on Jun 29, 2007 14:16:36 GMT -6
cali,do you have to refill them yourself or is that a cartridge? If its a cartridge it sounds good to me but I would never be able to refill my own,would end up spilling it & wasting half of it. LOL
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Post by califgirl on Jun 29, 2007 14:34:48 GMT -6
Froggie this is only my second experience with ink jet, I have re-filled them before, but is a mess. I went online to check out out much they were new, and ended up with Lexmark. I don't use my printer a lot, so I figured I would just buy them new. Now that I know my way around here better, I might check out some places that sell them, next time I need to replace them. But yes that was for both cartridge's.
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