What's better....one ink cartridge that does it all or a separate for black and color?

Question

I am shopping around for a printer. Over the years, I have had Lexmark which are ecomonical and dependable. I am thinking about getting a "3 in 1" model..a printer, scanner, and copier. The one I'm looking at uses one cartridge..supposedly one that produces color AND black. Anyone have one or heard about one? I'm wondering..does it need replacing more often than separate cartridges for color and black would require?

Answer 1

I have TWO Canon printers that have separate Cyan, Magenta and Yellow cartridges. I used HP deskjet before this. Canon Ink is MUCH cheaper, and I have found that one color goes faster than the others. I figure that Canon ink is almost half price.

In a long run, saving money on Ink is more important than saving money on a printer... a one time cost.

But here is another thing about Canon... It's color is AWESOME. You will be thrilled too.

Yes, Canon makes a nice All-in-one, and it too will save you money. Check Staples and other retail stores.

Answer 2

You really really want separate cartridges for the colors! Otherwise you end up having to replace the whole cartridge before the other colors are used up and it's just wasted. My husband bought our printer almost solely on the price of the replacement cartridges and it's quality at performing the basic things we needed. He picked out one that cartridges were affordable and highly available for and then waited for Christmas--translated as rebate season--came upon us. That way we got it for a great price and we just replace ink as we need it. Each color is a separate cartridge so we use up every last drop of every color. Some companies give away printers just because they know they will earn their money selling cartridges. We have a Cannon Pixma and it's great.

Answer 3

Personally I prefer separate cartridges. Either a 2 cartridge system, One color and one black. Or like the one I am using now which has 6 cartridges. The reason for this is most of my printing can be done in black. So I can just replace that cart when needed...but actually I have never noticed a difference in print quality... So its just up to your preference.

Answer 4

I have had both... Lexmark two cartridge and now have HPsingle . Both are all in ones and I find that the single has been better for me. The only advantage I see is if you copy in color more the two cartridges may offer you the ability to change only what you need.
But I think both are useful for what you are doing at the time

Answer 5

I am also planning to buy 3 in 1 soon.

I used Epson Stylus 440 for last 7 years. I am very satisfied with the printer (good quality and no breakdown).

Cheaper models of Epson's 3 in 1 have three separate color cartidges. That means you have four cartidges (including black)

I think this is a ploy to force users to buy cartidges from Epson, since you may not get those cyanide etc. color cartidges from smaller cartidge manufacturers who are cutting in to brand manufacturers' ink market.

If you don't need very high quality printing don't bother about resolutions etc. Very rarely you need highest resolutions.

To sum up I shall go for two cartidge system for a manufacturer whose inks are supplied by smaller manufacturers. Choice between Epson and HP.

Thanks

Answer 6

I know the one you are talking about. It is an extremely low capacity cartridge that uses all three colour to make black. You will find that you will get no more than 80 pages of text out of one cartridge. It is a horrible value. And you will find that you will be replacing that cartridge frequently.

We currently sell them and often have frustrated people buying them in packs of 2 or three if they have a larger project to do.

Answer 7

I have a 3-in-1 model with a single cartridge (Lexmark) but I haven't used it very much. I just suppose that the cartridge is going to mix the colours to make black when it runs out of black?
My late printer (she is dead now) was a Lexmark 4079 with a cartridge for every colour in the rainbow and renewing them cost me the red out of my eyes.
And, please be advised: the scanner does not make photo quality!

Answer 8

separate ink tanks are better of course but my dear it also depends on your use.

if you're consitrating of printing photos or you're printing lots of documents yes you need separate ink tanks but cmon if you want small 3in1 or even normal printer and you're printine once in a while you don't need separate ink tanks because most of the printers that comes with separate ink tanks they come with individual print head so, if you're not printing a lot the ink will get dry and the print head will defect and normally it cost you more than the4 printer it self.

so at the end..

economical use and photo printing ------> go for separate ink tanks
not printing often ---------> go for two cartridges only

this my advise from a long experince with printers.

A.K.A
CCI Products Specialist

Answer 9

Normally most of the printing done is black and white. Having one cartridge will cause You to buy more cartridges than seperate units. If You plan to do more color work than it may be suitable but I believe seperate ones are better.

Answer 10

Printers use ALL colors to make black, so if you would be better of getting black separate or you'd be running out of ink a lot more often.