The summary of ‘Printer Buying Guide! Ink vs. Laser / Tank vs. Subscription and More!’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the presenter, Sidman, updates the audience on the evolving printer industry, particularly noting the increase in affordable tank printers and various subscription options. He begins by discussing the choice between inkjet and laser printers. Sidman personally finds laser printers more economical for infrequent use, as they avoid the clogging issues common with inkjet printers that sit idle. While laser printers are better for occasional use and produce sharp text and business graphics, they are more expensive upfront but offer a lower cost per page due to high-capacity toner cartridges. In contrast, inkjet printers excel in photo quality and lower initial hardware costs but have higher per-page ink costs and maintenance issues when used infrequently. Sidman highlights the importance of considering cost of ownership, including page coverage, to make an informed printer choice.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the focus is on comparing the costs and efficiencies of inkjet and laser printers. It explains how printer manufacturers rate cartridge capacity based on page coverage, which can lead to discrepancies in expected versus actual output. For example, an inkjet printer’s cartridge rated for 200 pages might only yield 50 pages when printing photos due to higher ink usage. It contrasts an inexpensive HP inkjet printer costing $50 with replacement cartridges at $35, producing around 100 color pages at 30-35 cents per page.

On the other hand, laser printers, while having a higher initial cost, generally offer lower per-page costs and greater efficiency. An HP black and white laser printer costs $130 with a $50 toner, providing approximately 950 pages at 6 cents per page. A color laser printer from Brother priced at $300 offers a cost of 21 cents per page for color prints, which is more economical over time. The segment concludes by mentioning industry changes, such as tank printers and subscription services, that help reduce ink costs further.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the discussion focuses on tank printers offered by major manufacturers. These printers have a higher initial cost but lower overall ownership costs, especially for high-volume printing, due to more affordable ink. However, they typically have lower quality print mechanisms, although higher quality options like certain Epson models exist. Tank printers come with about a year’s worth of ink, and the replacement bottles are relatively cheap. Maintenance can include replacing parts like ink-absorbing sponges or print heads, which incurs additional costs. Despite these maintenance needs, the cost per page remains significantly lower than cartridge-based or color laser printers, making tank printers a cost-effective option for frequent color printing. The segment also mentions subscription plans for printers as an alternative to reduce costs by having ink delivered based on usage for a monthly fee.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the benefits of low-volume printing subscription plans offered by various companies. They highlight that these plans have a significantly lower cost per page compared to buying cartridges each time. HP’s Instant Ink plan is explained in detail, with costs ranging from $1 per month for 10 pages to $6 per month for 100 pages, noting the uniform cost irrespective of page coverage. The plan also allows for page rollovers and charges for overages. Canon’s Pixma and Brother’s Refresh programs offer competitive cost-per-page rates with similar rollover and overage policies. However, Epson’s ReadyPrint plan is deemed less competitive as it might equal the printer’s outright cost after the subscription period. The overall recommendation is to consider subscription options to save money and avoid the hassle of running out of ink.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses promotional offers that come with modern printers, such as HP’s three-month free ink trial. It’s noted that these trials require the printer to stay connected to the internet, and if you cancel the subscription, the provided cartridge will stop working. Subscription plans for laser printers are also available but might not be as cost-effective per page as ink-based plans. The speaker also talks about HP’s new paper plans.

There is a discussion on using generic ink cartridges, highlighting that manufacturers like HP and Brother actively prevent their use. An example is given where an HP cartridge from Amazon requires transferring a chip from an original cartridge. The speaker shares a personal experience with a Lexmark printer and a generic toner that worked fine even after a firmware update rendered the official cartridge unusable.

However, there’s caution against generic cartridges as their quality varies, and many companies are unreliable. Consumers are advised to research thoroughly, as non-genuine supplies could potentially damage the printer.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the reliability and potential risks of using generic ink cartridges in printers. Although most consumers report good experiences, there are instances where a bad cartridge can damage the printer and void the warranty. The speaker advises viewers to research and read reviews before purchasing. The speaker has personally had positive experiences with a specific generic cartridge, which has saved money. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to comment with suggestions for future content and mentions supporters of the channel.