I've replaced a couple printers because ink ran almost as much as a new printer. Not after the 1st set of ink, but maybe after a year or 2. The key for me is what the new printer has. If its got better resolution, faster printing, separate ink cartridges, then it seems like a good time to upgrade.

The new old printer works pretty well. It is an HP Deskjet 820Cse. It uses a parallel port so I had to hook it up to an old computer and share it over the network. It prints more slowly and seems to have a bit of "spray" (I see dots on the white sections where there shouldn't be dots). But it handles cardstock just fine and has printer settings for transparencies. I see a little more banding on the images, but it isn't very noticable.

I used to have an 860 or 870 that physically broke. I was happy with that printer and I think I'll be happy with this one.

The inks/toners that come with the printer have 30% full load in them, that's why they cost less. It's like buying a car with a 100 litre fuel tank and the dealer only puts 20 litres in.

Inkjets should not be refurbished except by the manufacturer, electrostatics can be done more easily at an office equipment workshop. They don't have the stupid print head that goes back and forth all the time. They are also more modular so that is how they are run anyway, swapping imaging and fusing units out all the time.
We use non genuine toners for some mid range systems, mostly Katun. Never go to Cartridge World. They use good ink in stuffed cartridges. Some electrostatic cartridges have an integrated drum unit; they often don't change the drum.

We used to refill Sharp cartridges but not anymore since we don't do Sharp no more.

Looks like we won't have to wait much longer for printers with technology. is that they'll be appearing in stores later this year and at a price point of $300-$500. Do we dare hope?

Every six month or so I do wonder where this product was at. When I was working in HP the guys in the Printer area (Gods love them all... and the six laser printers, shit load toners and reams of cardstock they gave me) didn't have a clue about this tech. Nothing new there - it seems that your avg. Gaming Geek is the font of all knowledge.



Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

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That was creepy...