I saw this article on /. : http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/06/21/128228&from=rss

Someone did a study, paid for by a printer manufacturer.  Now that sounds pretty objective, right?  The subject matter?  How accurate are printers when they report ink cartridges are empty?

I read this comment in the original entry that made me question something.  I quote:

Epson came out on top of the study (and Ars rightly questions how objective it was, given that Epson paid for it), but even they waste 20% of the ink if users take the printers’ word for when to get a new cartridge.

Do a lot of people really change their cartridge as soon as the printer says it needs it?  I have a friend who used her printer for quite a while after it said to change things.  My personal philosophy is that when the printer either stops printing or starts printing in funky colours… then when you change.  Sure you can use that warning system as notification to buy ink, but I will admit to anyone I’m a cheapskate.  Just call me Scrooge McOzma.  I want every last nickle worth.  Printer ink costs far too much.

I do have an Epson, and once one of the cartridges is empty. it stops printing.  The printer stopped is my sign to finally change the ink.  I have a back up Canon in event of no new ink cartridges in the house.  I said I was a cheapskate, not ill prepared!  OK, and i got it free with another purchase.  That’s a nice bonus!

At any rate, I figure plenty of people probably do change their ink out right away.  Something to think about?  Perhaps dealing with the constant reminders is a worth the extra annoying hassle?  Give it a whirl next time your printer complains it’s pantry is a getting bare.

 

-Lady O

Originally posted on ladyozma.vox.com