> Interesting... My old Epson Stylus Photo 960 cartridges used to be
>$11 each when it was new, and are still only around $14-15 each (but
>direct from Epson -- the printer is too old for stores to keep cartridge
>stocks). A full set of cartridges (CcMmYKK -- 7 cartridges) for the
>ESP960 would run around $105. In contrast, the two cartridges for my HP
>6122 (which is NOT a photo printer) run $65 for a hi-cap CMY, and
>another $35 for a black (and the CMY is one cartridge, so printing a lot
>of blue pages will leave a lot of Yellow unused when the cartridge needs
>to be replaced).
>
> Thing with Epson is that they have a fixed print-head; you can not
>allow the ink to dry in the print-head (it cost me over $200 to have the
>print-head replaced a few years ago; a new photo printer of similar
>quality will cost me $600 or more if I go to 14" width). If I go more
>than a week without running the Epson, I have to go through multiple
>cycles of "head-clean/print check pattern" to clear it. Usually my
>weekly bill paying does it (Epson feeds odd size paper better, which is
>what you end up with when computer check stock has only 1 or 2 checks
>left, where a full sheet is 3 checks -- it would be a pain to feed a
>short sheet on an HP; BUT the HP works well for doing the check
>background/MICR codes -- since I can buy magnetic ink cartridges for
>that and not worry about gumming up the print head). Unfortunately, I
>expect to lose the Epson -- between taking it down to pack up for a move
>to MI, a week in the truck, sometime in storage until I can set up an
>apartment, etc., I expect the heads to clog too badly to recover.
>
> If you really print as little as you imply, and it is normally just
>black/white text -- I'd recommend digging for a laser printer. May take
>longer to warm up, but no clogged nozzles to worry about.
I have an Epson R300 which is a good few years old. I have one of
these fitted
http://www.cityinkexpress.co.uk/ciss/epson/r300/r-series
and the cost of ink is now negligible. I don't use the printer
frequently but more in longer bursts. ie a frenzy of prints then a
long lay off. I have no trouble with the jets blocking. There are also
websites which show you how to remove and clean the printheads,
although I have never had to do it.
I would not buy another inkjet printer unless I could get a CISS kit.