I loved my HP Photosmart D7360 Printer which used the 02 ink cartridges. The colors were clear and bright and the 02 individual ink cartridges ($9.99) lasted longer than the tri-color cartridges. I would only replace the ink that was low.
My new HP photosmart D7560 uses the 564 ink cartridges which were the same price as the 02, however the 564($9.99) ink cartridges don't last as long. To print the same amount of pictures as the 02 cartridges I have to purchase the 564XL ($18.99) cartridges which are 2x the cost!
I was very disappointed that with the newer models the standard ink cartridges now have less ink and the color is not as vivid. HP printers have always performed well for me the the cost and volume of the 564 have been a disappointment! HP 564 Ink Cartridges, Combo Pack in Retail Packaging
There seems to be several misunderstandings about ink replacements.
1. OEM from the manufacturer
2. Remanufactured from a ink distributor
The inks are basically the same, where do you think the OEM company gets the ink? In order to charge more to cover overhead and profits the OEM companies develop things like chips to "read' the ink. When you buy a remanufactured ink product they will not have the chip and "CAN" read empty misleading people into thinking the cartridges are partially empty and they got a bad deal. In reality they just dont have the chip so the computer misreads the info. It is simple to go into the printer software and turn off the chip reading service and everything will work fine except the ink level readings. They arent really accurate anyway. If getting an inaccurate reading of how much ink you have left is that important to you then you will need to buy the expensive OEM ink for that feature. If you want the same ink just a lot cheaper, remanfactured is a much more economical choice. Be sure to check out the company selling the remanufactured cartridges as with all companies selling anything on the internet, some are good and some are bad. The OEM companies have strict guidelines and only buy from the good companies. You need to research and do the same if you decide to buy remanufactured. The cheapest option normally isnt the best, It's the chepest for a reason. There are several reputable companies here in the USA and regulations are more stringent. I would look for that 1st.
Also keep in mind all black inks from either are not the same, some are for Photo and some are for printing. An example is the HP Black XL 800 pages and the HP Black XL photo 290 pages. It is confusing if one dosn't read the box for the intended use. The photo cartridge actually has a greyish color and is for photo usage only and is not interchanable with the Black XL.
If you are in any way handy, several people find buying refill kits easy and the most economical way to significantly reduce printing cost.
Ink is ink for the most part. When it cost more to buy ink than it did to buy the printer you have to ask yourself how the OEM companies "really" make their profits. Especially, when they dont manufacture the cartridges or the ink they put their name on. They purchase BOTH from the companies that ARE selling them to you as remanufactured at a discount for obvious reasons. Are the OEM cartridges and ink really better just because they stuck a label with their name on it and charge us a 300% mark up for a chip?
You will have to decide, but be educated and know your options before you spend.
I purchased a set of five replacement cartridges recently (not really a set, I had to get them from a few different Amazon sellers) because my printer was new (Photosmart Premium, which I LOVE) and I figured that the cartridges which came with it would not last long. Actually, I did a LOT of printing with them. However, when replacement time came, I took out the black xl (not the photo black), twisted the "arm" off of it (I HATE this system they use to get open their cartridges for placement in the printer) and ARRRRGGGGG...the entire "cap" thing came off, spilling black ink everywhere. RUINED my yellow LL Bean shirt, ink in my keyboard, ink on my synthesizer (Kork workstation which sits beside my computer table)...it was a dreadful mess, and three days later, my fingers are still stained.
Anyway, I called HP tech support, who referred me to the design department (which is, I hear, working on a DIFFERENT design because of this problem.) They have overnighted me a replacement cartridge! For free, of course. So even though the design of these cartridges stinks, HP service has always come through for me.
Do not purchase these replacement ink cartridges. We purchased a HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One Printer from Amazon, which we are satisfied with, but these replacement cartridges will not last. You need to order the XL type, it seems to be worth the extra $$, the XL cartridges actually do last longer. - Inkjet Cartridges - Hp 564xl - All In One Printer - Hp Photosmart'
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