Reason Why Printer Cartridges Aren't Interchangeable?

Printer ink cartridges are produced to be used in one particular model or series of devices. Due to the intricate internal electronics and varying designs of printers, these cartridges cannot be transferred between printers.

1. Cartridge Systems

   • The majority of home printers employ one or two black ink tanks together with between three and six tanks of colored ink. Each cartridge must be inserted in the right slot in order to achieve accurate print-outs -- consult the printer documentation for full instructions.

   How Inkjet Printers Work

   • Most home printers use inkjet cartridges, which squirt tiny droplets of ink onto the page. Each cartridge has been designed with a specific printer in mind, as correct communication between the PC, printer and ink tank is essential.

   Exceptions

   • In some cases, printer cartridges can be used in several similar printers from the same manufacturer, if the design and functionality allows it. A full list of compatible ink tanks can be found in the documentation accompanying the printer, or from the manufacturer's website.

Source: eHow.com

Printer Ink OR Toner: Which Is More Economical?

Printers refer to peripheral devices that produce text or graphics on a print medium such as a document. Printers generate images or text on documents via toner or ink, which both offer certain economical advantages and disadvantages.

1. Definitions

   • Used in inkjet printers, printer ink is a liquid comprised of solvents and particulate matters that is produced at a relatively low cost. It colors a surface in order to create text or an image. Toner, a more expensive powder mixture formed by combining carbon with a polymer which binds to a print document via a fusing process, are used in copiers and laser printers.

   Initial Cost

   • Prices for ink cartridges and toner vary depending on unit quality and printer brand. Ink cartridges typically cost between $10 and $40 per cartridge unit. Toner cartridge units typically cost between $30 and $200.

   Cartridge Yields

   • The cartridge yield refers to the number of printed pages produced by a unit. Toner and ink cartridge yields again vary depending on several factors. The average toner ink cartridge unit yields printed pages in the thousands, which helps offset the higher initial purchase cost. Ink cartridge units average hundreds of pages.

     
     

     Source: http://www.ehow.com/