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Are Compatible toner just as good as the brand name?
- Thread starter nowb2509
- Start date
cmeagan656
Technical User
You should ask this in one of the printer forums.
Cheers.
Cheers.
From my experience supporting HP printers, generic or remanufactured toner usually works fine. The downside is that occasionally you waste money on a bad batch of such cartridges that your laser printer doesn't want to properly recognize.
For example, where I work we deal with a good mix of HP and non-HP cartridges (some which are just remanufactured). Occasionally, HP laserjets will show a "Supplies Error" indicating an incompatible chip on the cartridge. It will still let you print, but you have to walk up to the printer each time and clear the message. In other situations, the toner cartridges simply don't last until their empty. Reports of streaks and splotches are common long before the toner is gone (replacing with another cartridge solves the issue). That's the disadvantage, or risk, that you take going with non-HP toner.
I imagine the same kind of problems occur in non-HP laser printers as well. There's more at play than just the quality of the toner itself.
~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
For example, where I work we deal with a good mix of HP and non-HP cartridges (some which are just remanufactured). Occasionally, HP laserjets will show a "Supplies Error" indicating an incompatible chip on the cartridge. It will still let you print, but you have to walk up to the printer each time and clear the message. In other situations, the toner cartridges simply don't last until their empty. Reports of streaks and splotches are common long before the toner is gone (replacing with another cartridge solves the issue). That's the disadvantage, or risk, that you take going with non-HP toner.
I imagine the same kind of problems occur in non-HP laser printers as well. There's more at play than just the quality of the toner itself.
~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
You should be able to find a local firm, or a mail order firm if it comes to that, that will refill your cartridges.
I mark mine. I get them refilled once. Thats it.
So half mine are new, and half have been refilled once.
The company I used locally is happy to take my once refilled cartridges and apply a credit to my account.
I mark the cartridges so I know they were mine, and have never been refilled previously.
____________________________
Users Helping Users
I mark mine. I get them refilled once. Thats it.
So half mine are new, and half have been refilled once.
The company I used locally is happy to take my once refilled cartridges and apply a credit to my account.
I mark the cartridges so I know they were mine, and have never been refilled previously.
____________________________
Users Helping Users
I have not had a problem with compatible cartridges but have found that recycled/refilled ones have a tendency to leak more toner into the printer workings than compatible or brand name cartridges.
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