[NTLUG:Discuss] USB Scanner Question

[Chris Cox]

Daniel Hauck wrote:
> Steve Baker さんは書きました:
>> Fred wrote:
>>> Oh, yeah... HP DeskJet F2210, listed at $29 on their web site, $24 in store.
>>> The knock-off replacement ink cartridges cost $35, so buy as many printers 
>>> as you want, when the ink runs out, change out the printer. It's cheaper.
>>>   
>> Not really - the ink cartridge that comes with the printer isn't full.  
>> They only fill them enough to allow the store to run a few demo prints.  
>> Mine ran out after a dozen pages.
>>
>> I really wish printer manufacturers would stop this silly game.   I'd 
>> much prefer to pay whatever the printer costs to make - plus a 
>> reasonable profit margin - and then pay for the ink cartridges at their 
>> "real" cost.   I'm happy to pay $200 for a printer - providing the ink 
>> cartridges cost $10...which is about what they're really worth.
>>
>>   -- Steve.
> 
> Yeah... get a color laser.  they are coming down in price and even
> though the toner is expensive, the shelf-life and quality are much
> better than inkjet.

Print quality is about the same... you can get REAL PostScript...
cost over 5 years is CHEAPER than ink jet.... I couldn't be
happier with my HP CP3505dn.  And oh yes... full page graphics
print out in a COUPLE OF SECONDS (take that ink jet!!).

We're working on our 2nd year using the (full) toner cartridges
that came with the printer.  I would have bought about 10 sets
of ink jet cartridges in the same period (and probably would
have nearly worn the printer out).

Epson (one of the best ink jets in quality) cartridge costs
will run you over $70 for a full set every time.  And if you
replace them roughly 8 times a year, you can see that this
adds up quickly.  The printer itself usually runs around $70...
so yes.. you can see that even with the less than full
cartridges, there is possibly some good economics of throwing
ink jet printers away after a relatively short period of time.
And... IMHO, you get what you pay for.  A typical good quality
<$100 ink jet just can't stand up under load for too many years.

I look for my color laser to run for many, many, many years.

Just the savings in TIME is well worth the apparent extra
cost (but like I said, the cost is really less over 5 years
anyhow).

With some shopping you can get a CP3505 for $600-700.  Look
for full toner replacement of all 4 cartridges to run about
$400-500.  You can do the math...

$600 + 400 = $1000 for a lightning fast instantly compatible
color laser printer that is a network printer with duplexing
for 2 years of printing.  Shoot even if you buy it for $900
instead of $600, it's still a great deal vs. ink jet.

$70 + 14 x $70 = $1050 for a VERY VERY VERY VERY slow printer
with somewhat better photo quality over laser, no duplexing,
and very fragile after only 2 years of printing.

I can guarantee you the laser color quality on normal paper
is 10x better than ink jet.

Once you go color laser, you will NEVER go back.