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General discussion

Need advice on printer

Dec 25, 2010 2:03AM PST

I have a Konica-minolta 1600W color laser printer. The starter toner cartridges that came with it are now empty. Online searches have shown prices ranging from $45 to $150. The lower priced ones usually indicate that they are "compatible" and those at the higher price are actual Konica-minolta cartridges with a Konica-minolta warranty and are of the high yield variety The reviews for replacement cartridges have been negative from those who have purchased compatible cartridges. Several reviewers suggested just buying a new printer. I can purchase 4 new printesr for a little less than the cost of 4 genuine high yield (1 black & 3 color) cartridges. The yield factor per dollar is almost the same going either way. What are your thoughts and experience with this?

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POV...
Dec 25, 2010 2:30AM PST

Yes, in some cases buying a new printer would equal or be +/- more than replacement toner carts. The choice is entirely yours. The continued use of the printer is that it is already in place and re-supplying its needs is just part of the cost of operation. Yes, new would be of the hi-yield or WHAT ITS SUPPOSE TO BE, rather the less than full toner carts that came with the printer, the reason is obvious they want you spend $ for "consumables". If you deem it necessary to save $, then buy a new printer if that works for ya. IMHO< keep wjat you have, but crunch the numebrs for prolonged usage what works best for you.IMHO, I find the Konica printers good ones.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Thanks Willy
Dec 25, 2010 9:53PM PST

I guess I will go with the cartridges because there is about a $.03 per page differential. It is just that I will have to come up with more money unless I bought all four printers at the same time and that would create a storage problem. The printer doesn't get that much use and with the high yield cartridges (supposedly 2500 pages)this should last for several years if the past rate of use is any indication of future use.