Ink Cartridge Buying Guide

In an attempt to save money, you go to Google and type in your Ink Jet printer cartridge model # - WD-x4g9s3 ver. 2.8 – only to have the search engine return… WHAT? That’s not ink! Not to mention the version 2.8 is a completely different size and design than the 2.78. No amount of rigging will make it work. HP has realized how confusing this is, and they have developed a nearly idiot-proof system for their ink and toner cartridges.



HP has pioneered the simple numbering system for it’s DeskJet and OfficeJet machines, with codes like 45. Having such simplified codes make it easy for even the most computer illiterate person to purchase the correct replacement with certainty.



The part numbers are even more simplified by including a print head with each new cartridge. If you don’t use your printer very often, the print heads can clog, and this makes it a lot easier to fix that problem. When the print head is separated from the ink tanks, it is typically very expensive and hard to find, so if it clogs at 2am as you print out your senior thesis, you’re out of luck. With the HP system, you can run to Walmart at 2am, remember the simple "45" code, and viola, you have a new working print head and ink!



Ink Jet Cartridges are a necessary evil, just as gasoline in our cars. It’s confusing and expensive. Some people prefer the low operating cost and high speed of laser printers, while others prefer the lower upfront cost and better resolution of ink jet printers. Ink Jet, Laser, Dye-sub, the war between the types will be fought forever. Just like the war on drugs. There are other companies out there which have started simplifying their part numbers, however I have an HP Office Jet, so that’s why I wrote about it.As companies pay more attention to the customers, they are developing products which are more in line with demands