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Need Advice re: Printer Toner vs. New Cartridge

by I.M.Retired
9 replies
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I have a Samsung ML-2010 Mono Laser Printer. It's the best printer I have ever owned.

However, I need a new ink cartridge, as I'm ran out of ink yesterday.

I priced the new cartidges at Staples and cost was $95, plus tax.

Since I'm soon going to be in the market for a new computer set-up, including a new printer (mine prints b&w so I'm going for color) I don't want to spend that much for an interim solution. The ink in these machines seems to last forever, and being that expensive, I sure don't want to waste it.

My first question is: Is toner the same as ink?

If so, would this refill work: Samsung - Refill Toner Kit - ML1610,2010,SCX4521,DELL1100 - 100G [D-ML2010TNR100-COM] - $14.95, CAD : Toner Parts, High Quality Ink & Toner cartridges

This looks like a 'dang good deal' to me. However, I've always simply replaced the cartridge in the past, so any advice would be appreciated on whether or not this is a good solution to my empty ink/toner cartridge problem.

Thanks in advance...

Val
  • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
    Hi, IM, yep sounds like a good way to go, l have a Brother 2040 B/W printer that is showing signs of needing replacing, but l have found by doing a search online that removing the cartridge and then tipping the cartridge from side to side, will level out the toner powder and give you a bit more time.

    But if it has completely crapped out, then going to a quality printer outlet to get refilled is the only way l would go, $22 is a lot better than $85 anyday, although l could buy a new printer for $50, so if l went off refilling, buying a new one is cheaper, although not good for the environment!

    Good luck.

    Shane
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    A $50 printer is going to be crap.
    But since you say that is a great printer,actually the best you ever owned you said, why not get the cartridge now. When you get a new system,with a new printer,your new printer is more than likely going to be usb so techically you ccould have both printers hooked up and use whichever one was best for the job you are doing.

    That being said, I just realized that it might be hard to find a newer computer with an older type printer port, but it possible could be added by a printer port to usb adapter....

    Any way,just tossing some thoughts out there.
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      A $50 printer is going to be crap.
      No, not really; the printer is exactly the same, but for some reason in AU, it has come down in price to $50?

      I bought it when with a coupon it was about $135, and l have been very happy with it overall over the last couple of years?

      Could just be the economic downturn, and companys are slashing prices, because of heaps of stock and not too many are buying.

      Could also be, that the more they sell, the more A4 sheets they can recover their profits from?

      Shane
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      • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
        Get the directions to use the refill system before you buy it. It all depends on how difficult it would be to do it yourself.

        I got printer cartridges from Amazon last time, instead of around $90, it was $9-something each. The first is working very well. Just be sure to read the feedback and see what is said. There was some unhappy feedback when I ordered mine, but for the price, I tried it anyway. It was also free shipping for over $25, so, so far, so good, except for about the first 50-100 pages where every once in a while I got a little splotching and a couple lines, but no problems now.

        I got a HP laser printer and balked at the price for the "genuine" toner.
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        • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
          I wouldn't try it myself, too dangerous!

          I wouldn't want to fiddle around with highly toxic, powder to save a few bucks!

          But if you have done it yourself, more power too you, but l wouldn't go near it!

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      • Profile picture of the author KimW
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        No, not really; the printer is exactly the same, but for some reason in AU, it has come down in price to $50?

        I bought it when with a coupon it was about $135, and l have been very happy with it overall over the last couple of years?

        Could just be the economic downturn, and companys are slashing prices, because of heaps of stock and not too many are buying.

        Could also be, that the more they sell, the more A4 sheets they can recover their profits from?

        Shane
        I am speaking from experience here in the states.If you got one for $50 and it worked for you,that's awesome.
        My experience with mine was such a frustrating even that I wrote about the horrific experience with the printer,and with the companies tech support. And this was from a company that I used to highly praise and recommend to my friends.
        Here is a quick recap.
        Bought printer brand new off the shelf at local store.
        Took home and tried to install. It would get to a certain point and the claim error and tell me to start process over again.
        After over an hour of this BS, I called tech support. I spoke to an idiot that asked me if I had done the troubleshooting the machine was telling me to do.
        I said yes.
        He then proceeded to tell me how to fix it. Yet the problem was he must have been reading from the same script they had built into the printer.
        After another worthless hour or more on the phone I told the guy that obviously none of this was working and I had a defective printer.
        He agreed and told me what we could do.
        If I wanted to pack it up and ship it to the company with my dime,after they received it they would out of the kindness of their heart send me a New "refurbished" printer.
        So I said, I have this printer that I bought less that 5 hours ago that obviously is defective and instead of offering to send me a new one,you want to send me a refurb? He said ,yes,that is correct.
        After explaining to him how mentally unbalanced he was and how I would never recommend another person to puchased from that company I hung up, repacked the box and took it to the store I bought it from for a full refund.
        Since I had used HP products for years,I'd have to say that because they were offering a cheap product that was part of the reason it was crap.
        I had already stopped suggesting HP laptops when asked,but now I will no longer recommend any HP product.

        By the way, I have a degree in computer sciences,am a certified tech ,and until a few years back had my own computer repair shop. I know a bit about what I am talking about.
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  • Profile picture of the author rjay
    I have exactly the same printer, which I also think is the best I've owned.

    Good advice here.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Laser printers DON'T HAVE INK! It is called toner, and is usually 100% DIFFERENT!

    TONER cartridges use TONER which is generally a POWDER that is heat sensitive. They generally handle from about 1000-15000 pages. It is attracted to a drum that is photosensitive. The photosensitive drum often handles about 10-20 times as many pages as the toner.

    The drum can easily be damaged, and can be hard to replace, and many FORGET to replace it, so laser printers often package it WITH the toner. THAT is why the cartridge costs so much. You CAN get rebuilt ones for a LOT less! BTW BE HAPPY! Before this, drums were hard to get and cost well over $100. The drum, on my first "laser" printer, cost over $200! But the toner on IT only cost like $20!

    INK JET printers have ink that costs about 1/2 as much. There is no photosensitive drum, but the ink cartridges usually have the print head.

    BTW COLOR printers supplies usually cost about 3-4 times as much, and single cartridges, like some inkjet printers have, have to be replaced if ANY color goes out.

    BTW Ink cartridges can often not sit idle for more than 3 weeks. If they do, they will not work right.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author bloomleroy
    Toner cartridge depends on the type of printer, the task it performs and type of printout also. These are used by laser printers, copiers and fax machines. Generally they are somewhat bigger and few inches long.
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