I've found Lexmark printers very expensive to run. What is the most economical make of printer?

Question

I print Word documents that are 20% text and 80% images. My Lexmark printer will only print 14-15 sheets (with a brand new cartridge) before (a) the images begin fading and (b) I am prompted to think about replacing the cartridge. Should I be considering a pre-owned full-size office printer rather than a small home printer. The cartridge I use costs £15 and therefore each print is costing £1. Is there anybody out there who works principally with images who can recommend an economical printer.

Answer 1

I use and HP Laserjet (not color laser)

I refill these cartridges to save money.
You can refill the cartridge only twice.
Special tool to cut hole in cartridge: $10 lasts forever
Refill bottles of toner $27 ea in quantities of 2.
http://www.ink-refills-ink.com/cartridge/C4191A+Bulk+Toner/556/?src=Froogle

The toner cartridge is rated for 5000 pages
Cost $80 (USD)

New HP cartridge do not refill
so $70 / 5000 =
$0.014 (USD) per sheet plus paper

New HP cartridge and refill twice
so $70+$27+$27 / (5000*3) =
$0.0083 per sheet plus paper

You can get a generic cartridge for $46

New generic cartridge do not refill
so $46 / 5000 =
$0.0092 per sheet plus paper

New generic cartridge and refill twice
so $46+$27+$27 / (5000*3) =
$0.0067 per sheet plus paper

Answer 2

I worked for Xerox and Samsung R&D -- 6 years.

Yes, Lexmark are the most expensive inkjet and laser printers to own and operate.

Everything is about cents per page.

Inkjets cost 8-15 cents per page (USD).
Monochrome laser printers cost between 1-4 cents per page.
Color laser printers fall between 1-10 cents/pg.

Bottom line: If you need only monochrome printing, get an inexpensive monochrome laser printer like a low-end HP, Samsung or Dell laser. Costs run about 3-4 cents/pg.

If you really need color, then your most cost-effective route is to get a HP or Canon inkjet with commonly available refilled cartridges. Costs run 5-10 cents/pg.

Color lasers are a nice option, although the up-front costs are high.

I've done much number-crunching for work in the past. When you consider THE LIFE of the printer, the initial investment in the hardware becomes a negligible part of the total money spent. Toner and ink cartridges become 90% of the total cost of owning and operating the device.

Answer 3

Check out the new Kodak Easy Share all in one printers. They are currently boasting some of the most economical printers.
However I am unsure if they are available in th UK.

If you are looking at only printing monochrome get a laser. You can get a decent samsung or HP printer for ra very reasonable price. The cartridge do cost a lot more however will print upwards of 2000 pages.

Answer 4

I can recommend printer from HP that using HP 02. Refillable cartridges are available at http://fillserv.com/cic/product.php?id=hp-02-black-refill

Any printer that using Continuous Ink Systems (CIS) http://fillserv.com/cic/category.php?category=Continuous+Ink+Systems+%28CIS%29

or any Canon printer that using CLI-8 cartridges. Those very easy to refill http://fillserv.com/cic/product.php?id=canon-cli-8bk

Answer 5

es - Lexmark are gas hogs...
I have used Epson for many years and refill my ink...
You can refill Lexmark ink and save a lot of money...Joe

Answer 6

I used to have a HP, pretty good.