This is just ridiculous! (HP Business Inkjet 2230)

[William R. Walsh]

Hello all...

I realize that OEM ink is certainly not cheap, but I think this takes the
cake...I was recently given an HP Business Inkjet 2300 printer. It has had
some use, and shows some signs of wear, but all things considered it is in
good shape and looks to be solidly built.

Of course, the print heads and cartridges were worn out when I got it. So I
thought about getting new ones, and started looking around...hmmm, it uses
separate cartridges and print heads...no biggie...and...punch up a few ink
retailers, like Staples and Office Depot...and...ggggaaaaaAAAHH! It's just
plain robbery what HP wants to charge for all four cartridges and print
heads...$271.92 USD give or take a little depending upon where you shop. I
have a 10% off coupon that HP sent me, but even that won't put things
anywhere near "reasonable".

I've confirmed the printer works--and it seems to work very well. (I
'borrowed' the heads and cartridges from a nearby OfficeJet that uses the
same type of supplies long enough to run off a few test pages and the menu
map.) However, it isn't worth putting the inks and heads in it, at least not
all at once. I sure do hate to just toss it though.

I wonder how many of these printers have already been landfilled because of
the supply pricing? HP should be ashamed of themselves...giving the printer
away and making money off the ink is one thing...I don't mind a $35
cartridge in a DeskJet every now and again. But this is utterly ridiculous
and probably very irresponsible toward the environment!

Sorry all, I just had to rant a little there.

William

 

[zakezuke]

Of course, the print heads and cartridges were worn out when I got it. So I

thought about getting new ones, and started looking around...hmmm, it uses
separate cartridges and print heads...no biggie...and...punch up a few ink
retailers, like Staples and Office Depot...and...ggggaaaaaAAAHH! It's just
plain robbery what HP wants to charge for all four cartridges and print
heads...$271.92 USD give or take a little depending upon where you shop. I
have a 10% off coupon that HP sent me, but even that won't put things
anywhere near "reasonable".

#10 black and #11 color? $270 for the ink (about $140) and the head
($130ish?). That's reasonable considering the unit takes huge honking
cartridges.. well the black is huge and honking 70ml IIRC, the color
IIRC is 28ml each. We're talking yields somewhere in the neighborhood
of 1430p black and 1650 color, and a printhead rated for 12,000 pages @
5% yield. Where you see $270, I see lowish cost per page, a printer
you only have to open the lid 1/2 to 1/3 as often as other printers.

While it's true you can get a newer printer with ink for well under
$270, a printer that is likely going to be a better photo printer,
you'll be spending about $60ish/refil or so for 1/3 the yield. It's
your choice. But $35 each for the ink and about $30 each for the
printheads is a decent deal. But should you choose to trash it, e-bay
it. Plenty of other people who are hip to this class of printer.

 

[SamSez]

Hello all...

I realize that OEM ink is certainly not cheap, but I think this takes
the cake...I was recently given an HP Business Inkjet 2300 printer. It
has had some use, and shows some signs of wear, but all things
considered it is in good shape and looks to be solidly built.

Of course, the print heads and cartridges were worn out when I got it.
So I thought about getting new ones, and started looking
around...hmmm, it uses separate cartridges and print heads...no
biggie...and...punch up a few ink retailers, like Staples and Office
Depot...and...ggggaaaaaAAAHH! It's just plain robbery what HP wants to
charge for all four cartridges and print heads...$271.92 USD give or
take a little depending upon where you shop. I have a 10% off coupon
that HP sent me, but even that won't put things anywhere near
"reasonable".

I've confirmed the printer works--and it seems to work very well. (I
'borrowed' the heads and cartridges from a nearby OfficeJet that uses
the same type of supplies long enough to run off a few test pages and
the menu map.) However, it isn't worth putting the inks and heads in
it, at least not all at once. I sure do hate to just toss it though.

I wonder how many of these printers have already been landfilled
because of the supply pricing? HP should be ashamed of
themselves...giving the printer away and making money off the ink is
one thing...I don't mind a $35 cartridge in a DeskJet every now and
again. But this is utterly ridiculous and probably very irresponsible
toward the environment!

Sorry all, I just had to rant a little there.

William

"Of course the print heads are worn out"? Why? Mine have gone for reams
and reams of paper and not 'worn out'.

The print heads nearly never need to be replaced [though it's a major
feature that they can be, and can be replaced one by one and not by
replacing the whole head assembly] and the amount of ink in a set of
carts is enormous. I have been using a 2000c for years [all #10 carts
and heads], and I like it so much for it's economy, speed and quality
that I bought a spare one [for parts, just in case].

Rant as much as you like, but the reality is that the hp printers using #
10 and #11 carts are some of the least expensive to [actually] run
printers around.

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

#10 black and #11 color? $270 for the ink (about $140) and the head
($130ish?). That's reasonable considering the unit takes huge honking
cartridges.. well the black is huge and honking 70ml IIRC, the color
IIRC is 28ml each. We're talking yields somewhere in the neighborhood
of 1430p black and 1650 color, and a printhead rated for 12,000 pages @
5% yield. Where you see $270, I see lowish cost per page, a printer
you only have to open the lid 1/2 to 1/3 as often as other printers.

I don't know for sure about that...the OfficeJet that loaned out its print
cartridges has sucked through them quickly. Head life also doesn't seem as
good as HP rates it to be...said machine has 400 prints on it (roughly) and
the yellow print head has gone to 50% life. I wouldn't be surprised if the
print cartridges were starter units that were not entirely filled, but what
about the print heads? Does HP make "starter" print heads that have a
shorter lifespan?

(I do find the hose linking the ink area with the print head carriage an
interesting concept. I wonder if it could dry out over time?)

But should you choose to trash it, e-bay
it. Plenty of other people who are hip to this class of printer.

The main point of my post was "yikes!". I saved it right at the last moment
from a trip into the dumpster, figuring that it had be worth something, if
for no other purpose than parts.

It's very unlikely that I'll trash it or send it to eBay. I think it can
take a JetDirect EIO interface and for that reason I'll probably grumble,
groan and buy the ink anyway. I have a JetDirect token ring interface
sitting around that I might just have to try...a TR capable networked
printer does sound kind of cool, if nothing else.

William

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

"Of course the print heads are worn out"? Why? Mine have gone for reams
and reams of paper and not 'worn out'.

This printer has been used frequently and often...at least judging by the
amount of paper dust inside.

The printer told me a few times to "replace print head" for each color. The
one time I got it to print, quality was very poor. When I swapped in the
heads from another machine, the print quality was excellent on the first
try.

Rant as much as you like, but the reality is that the hp printers using #
10 and #11 carts are some of the least expensive to [actually] run
printers around.

I must admit that it sure doesn't seem that way at first glance.
However--somehow--I'll manage to get the printer inked up and running.

William

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

Hello all...

I realize that OEM ink is certainly not cheap, but I think this takes the
cake...I was recently given an HP Business Inkjet 2300 printer. It has had
some use, and shows some signs of wear, but all things considered it is in
good shape and looks to be solidly built.

Of course, the print heads and cartridges were worn out when I got it. So I
thought about getting new ones, and started looking around...hmmm, it uses
separate cartridges and print heads...no biggie...and...punch up a few ink
retailers, like Staples and Office Depot...and...ggggaaaaaAAAHH! It's just
plain robbery what HP wants to charge for all four cartridges and print
heads...$271.92 USD give or take a little depending upon where you shop. I
have a 10% off coupon that HP sent me, but even that won't put things
anywhere near "reasonable".

I've confirmed the printer works--and it seems to work very well. (I
'borrowed' the heads and cartridges from a nearby OfficeJet that uses the
same type of supplies long enough to run off a few test pages and the menu
map.) However, it isn't worth putting the inks and heads in it, at least not
all at once. I sure do hate to just toss it though.

I wonder how many of these printers have already been landfilled because of
the supply pricing? HP should be ashamed of themselves...giving the printer
away and making money off the ink is one thing...I don't mind a $35
cartridge in a DeskJet every now and again. But this is utterly ridiculous
and probably very irresponsible toward the environment!

Sorry all, I just had to rant a little there.

William

Wow. You've got one of the cheapest series of inkjets to run there.
Granted it IS a bit expensive for a full ink refill but the carts will
last for eternity unless you're printing hundreds of pages a day.
Remember that HP's newest printer in this series takes /smaller/ ink
tanks than the original series used to, so you may be better off
fixing this one if you can.

Does the driver software specifically /say/ the printheads are worn
out or do you just think they need to be replaced because the
printer's been used a lot? They're rated for about 16,250 pages each,
so it's not likely that they'll be worn out.

If you're interested in saving a little money, my 1100d has started
shredding paper, the feed rollers are damaged and I'm apparently going
to /have/ to get another one just when I'd decided to keep it, and I
have one full set of OEM ink, new in boxes, plus one cyan tank. I was
going to sell them on craigslist, but if you'd like to buy all my
extra tanks, I'll give you a discount off the retail price, just
e-mail me and let me know. I may even be able to sell you the
printheads, which have only been used for one full set of cartridges,
though I don't know how well they'd handle being shipped once opened.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

I don't know for sure about that...the OfficeJet that loaned out its print
cartridges has sucked through them quickly. Head life also doesn't seem as
good as HP rates it to be...said machine has 400 prints on it (roughly) and
the yellow print head has gone to 50% life. I wouldn't be surprised if the
print cartridges were starter units that were not entirely filled, but what
about the print heads? Does HP make "starter" print heads that have a
shorter lifespan?

No. My 1100d which has the same print engine as yours was bought used,
at Staples, a year and a half after it was actually released. I /know/
I've gone through at least 1500 pages so far, maybe more, the
'starter' cartridges had been all used up from being the store model,
and I've gone through half of a new set of full cartridges in it.
Sounds like it has gone through a /lot/ more printing than 400 sheets.
400 sheets and the printer isn't even broken in yet.

(I do find the hose linking the ink area with the print head carriage an
interesting concept. I wonder if it could dry out over time?)

Doubtful, as it's sealed and not exposed to UV. Of all the (few)
problems I've seen with this series, I haven't heard of hose breakage.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

I must admit that it sure doesn't seem that way at first glance.
However--somehow--I'll manage to get the printer inked up and running.

William

A HP 96 cartridge (granted, it has built in printhead), which is what
most of the consumer-line business printers take, is 21ml. The 56,
also extremely common, is 19. The 10 cartridge is 69 ml, and averages
about the same price per cart. Nearly 3.5x bigger for the same price.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

Does the driver software specifically /say/ the printheads are worn
out or do you just think they need to be replaced because the
printer's been used a lot? They're rated for about 16,250 pages each,
so it's not likely that they'll be worn out.

The printer says its current set of heads is worn out. It asks me to replace
them all, and was being finicky about accepting a borrowed yellow head from
another printer.

The one time I got it to print with the included heads, the output was very
poor. Upon swapping heads with the OfficeJet, print quality improved by a
wide margin.

I was
going to sell them on craigslist, but if you'd like to buy all my
extra tanks, I'll give you a discount off the retail price, just
e-mail me and let me know. I may even be able to sell you the
printheads, which have only been used for one full set of cartridges,
though I don't know how well they'd handle being shipped once opened.

I've sent you an e-mail to the address given in your posting's headers. If
that's not what I need to do, please let me know.

William

 

[David Fairbrother]

Hi!




The printer says its current set of heads is worn out. It asks me to replace
them all, and was being finicky about accepting a borrowed yellow head from
another printer.

The one time I got it to print with the included heads, the output was very
poor. Upon swapping heads with the OfficeJet, print quality improved by a
wide margin.




I've sent you an e-mail to the address given in your posting's headers. If
that's not what I need to do, please let me know.

William

hmm - on this note - is there such thing as a "generic printhead"?
printheads seem a bit steep IMO, but i assume there's a reason for their
price. just that i'm looking at $100 for a new one (unless cleaning this
old one works...)

 

[zakezuke]

is there such thing as a "generic printhead"

Not that i'm aware. These tend to be proprietary items with patents...
while patents do expire and there are some generic printheads made...
for something reasonably current you gotta stick with it.

Keep in mind also that we are talking a printer that sold for $600 to
$1000 new. Heck the business jet 2300 is $500 for the base model. And
the printhead, a spiffy one, costs $30.00 each or roughly double that
of my canon ip3000. A $60 printhead on a printer I paid $60 for sucks
much more than $120ish in printheads on a printer that cost $600. In
all fairness you can find this model on closeout if you hit froogle,
but put into perspective 1/5 the cost of the printer to maintain it
plus ink isn't a bad deal. $30 a pop isn't a bad deal given their
estimated life. You don't have to replace those suckers often.

 

[Irwin Peckinloomer]

Don't worry. measlekite is convinced it is all for your own good!

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

Keep in mind also that we are talking a printer that sold for $600 to
$1000 new. Heck the business jet 2300 is $500 for the base model. And
the printhead, a spiffy one, costs $30.00 each or roughly double that
of my canon ip3000. A $60 printhead on a printer I paid $60 for sucks
much more than $120ish in printheads on a printer that cost $600. In
all fairness you can find this model on closeout if you hit froogle,
but put into perspective 1/5 the cost of the printer to maintain it
plus ink isn't a bad deal. $30 a pop isn't a bad deal given their
estimated life. You don't have to replace those suckers often.

Wow, I didn't realize how fancy the 2x00 series was. You'd think they
would use an even better printhead than the 1x00 series though, rather
than the same one, considering the paper trays are over 2x as big.

Yeah, I'd definitely reccomend to keep this one going. These days you
can get a moderately nice color laser for that price, but it won't
have /any/ of the extra features, like the large trays, expandable
memory, etc, that an office network printer like this one would have.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[measekite]

THERE IS PECKERBLOOMER AGAIN WID DA MOUT

Don't worry. measlekite is convinced it is all for your own good!

 

[zakezuke]

Wow, I didn't realize how fancy the 2x00 series was. You'd think they

would use an even better printhead than the 1x00 series though, rather
than the same one, considering the paper trays are over 2x as big.

You "would" think but you gotta go with the 3x00 (discontinued IIRC)
series if you want another printhead. #12 and double the price IIRC
though it's not like I have "ever" known anyone who ever had to buy
one. Same black but double the amount of color to the 1x00/2x00 at
basicly double the price.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

I've sent you an e-mail to the address given in your posting's headers. If
that's not what I need to do, please let me know.

William

That's the correct address, I sent you a reply but my e-mail server
has been flaky, so if you didn't recieve it, let me know and I'll try
sending through gmail or hotmail.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

You can interpret this anyway you wish, but HP is one of the few
companies that offers some type of "take back" program on theirs (and
others) products. They will break the item down to component levels
(plastic, metal, electronics) and then have it recycled. They usually
charge a fee for this.

Art