The best printer that use the cheapest ink ?

[jeyi]

My Epson c42ux has run out the color ink and I don't want to keep spenting lots of money to replace both of black & color ink. So I am shopping for a new printer.

I just need a basic printer that does good job on printing color (not photo) image so I can make card or print cd cover. A lot of printers are very cheap but it cost a lot to replace ink cartridge. I don't need fax or scan features (I have a Brother Mfc-8440 laser muti-function). I am looking for a printer that has the cheapest ink cartridge. If anybody can give me any suggestion ?

Thanks!

[Michael Corvin]

Have you tried cheap ink instead? Carrot ink has decent cartridges pretty cheap. Do a search, there was a thread with all kinds of cheap online ink companies.

[Cusm]

I have found the cheapest ink is the same as the printer you use at work. ;)

[kvrdave]

I use nothing but Cannons recently. It has individual tanks for each color, and you can generally get them for about $2 per tank on ebay.

[yashan]

I have found the cheapest ink is the same as the printer you use at work. ;)


True. It's also the fastest printer I've never spent money on. :)

[filt]

just got the canon PiXMA iP3000 here, for what should be $50 after rebate from newegg. great printer so far, great reviews and the ink is split tanks and cheap, gets my vote

[jeyi]

Have you tried cheap ink instead? Carrot ink has decent cartridges pretty cheap. Do a search, there was a thread with all kinds of cheap online ink companies.

I heard that cheap ink will screw up the printer's head for Epson's brand.

I try to use the ink refill system and was told that my epson printer has smart chip that you need a chip resetter in order to refill. I could not find the chip resetter anywhere in the local office supply store and I am not willing to buy it on line and pay shipping in case it does not work.

[Michael Corvin]

I heard that cheap ink will screw up the printer's head for Epson's brand.

I try to use the ink refill system and was told that my epson printer has smart chip that you need a chip resetter in order to refill. I could not find the chip resetter anywhere in the local office supply store and I am not willing to buy it on line and pay shipping in case it does not work.

Not refills. Actual cartidges that have the chip on them.

[StevePerryFan]

I heard that cheap ink will screw up the printer's head for Epson's brand.



I have the epson stylus 2500 it is an all in one does photo, scanning, printing etc, I got it about 4 yrs ago from costco as a floormodel for $50, you could probably get one off ebay cheap used, it works great even today 4 yrs later, and from day one I have bought and used the $1.50 ink from www.supermediastore.com.

There are bundle packs of ink there too (like 4 black 3 color) etc, it changes now and then but I usually get like 8 color 12 black for about $20-$30 range depending on coupons and or sales they are having at the time I need ink.

BTW that generic stuff from supermediastore (at least the ones they make for my 2500) work awesome, photo pictures print out in the HIGHEST of quality and I use this printer ALL the time,

Here is a link directly to the unit you said you use

http://www.supermediastore.com/epson-stylus-c42ux-printer.html

currently the 4 black 2 color units for the 42 are $14.XX putting you about 2.50ish per unit...

(hope that helps) that is if you want to keep using that unit.

Bill :)

[StevePerryFan]

Here is one on ebay for $10 start bid (no bids)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6785894478&category=3303&tc=photo&rd=1


(not my auction or anyone I know) just random ebay search for stylus 2500

but same printer I have here that I use that generic G&G ink from supermediastore with no problems (even on photo prints).

Bill

[jeyi]

I have the epson stylus 2500 it is an all in one does photo, scanning, printing etc, I got it about 4 yrs ago from costco as a floormodel for $50, you could probably get one off ebay cheap used, it works great even today 4 yrs later, and from day one I have bought and used the $1.50 ink from www.supermediastore.com.

There are bundle packs of ink there too (like 4 black 3 color) etc, it changes now and then but I usually get like 8 color 12 black for about $20-$30 range depending on coupons and or sales they are having at the time I need ink.

BTW that generic stuff from supermediastore (at least the ones they make for my 2500) work awesome, photo pictures print out in the HIGHEST of quality and I use this printer ALL the time,

Here is a link directly to the unit you said you use

http://www.supermediastore.com/epson-stylus-c42ux-printer.html

currently the 4 black 2 color units for the 42 are $14.XX putting you about 2.50ish per unit...

(hope that helps) that is if you want to keep using that unit.

Bill :)

Thank you so much.
I went to the link but find it connfusing.....
This is what they have :

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epson T036201 Compatible Black Inkjet Cartridge for Epson Stylus C 42 Ink Jet Printer C42UX(SX)
&
Epson T036120 Compatible Black Inkjet Cartridge for Epson Stylus C42/C44

Epson T037201 Compatible Color Inkjet Cartridges for Epson Stylus C 42 Ink Jet Printer C42UX (SX)
Epson T037020 Compatible Color Inkjet Cartridge for Epson Stylus C42/C44

------------------------------------------------------------------------

According the the Epson ink cartrige box that I still have, The balck cartridge for C42UX(SX) should be T036120 instead of T036201. The color cartrige should be T037020 instead of T037201,
I even went to Epson web site to double cheak.

Do they just have the wrong desccription ?
Should I still just order T036120(black) and T037020(color) from them even though they says it is for C42/C44 ? My printer is C42UX.

I hope I am not confusing everybody here because I am really confused.

[jeyi]

just got the canon PiXMA iP3000 here, for what should be $50 after rebate from newegg. great printer so far, great reviews and the ink is split tanks and cheap, gets my vote


That sounds like a great deal.
Canon PIXMA ip3000 is a Photo Printer. Does it also print regular stuff or do people buy photo printer to print photos only ?


Thanks!

I don't have a digital camera yet but I am shopping for one. If photo printer also works like a regular color printer, this printer will come in handy when I get my digital camera.

[sniper308]

That sounds like a great deal.
Canon PIXMA ip3000 is a Photo Printer. Does it also print regular stuff or do people buy photo printer to print photos only ?


Thanks!

I don't have a digital camera yet but I am shopping for one. If photo printer also works like a regular color printer, this printer will come in handy when I get my digital camera.

I've got the Pixma IP6000D and I love that thing. Had an Epson before that emptied its black ink cartridge all over itself, and like the Canon much better.

I print everything on it, pics, text, etc. Not sure about the 3000, but the 6000 has a built in duplexer as well.

[sniper308]

True. It's also the fastest printer I've never spent money on. :)


yep, don't even have to buy paper :D