On Wednesday 27 June 2018 10:20:01 Kate Draven wrote:
> > Just got a Brother printer-scanner-copier-fax combo, model is MFC-495CW,
> > so
>
> if
>
> > anybody has comments or recommendations from experience, I am all ears.
> >
> > Here is my model:
> >
> > https://support.brother.com/g/b/spec.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=mfc495cw_all
> >
> > I don't have a lot of money to spend (much less to waste) on printer
> > cartridges, for example. (A couple years ago I bought a 12-pack of HP
> > cartridges for my old HP 825c, but before I could actually use them, the
> > ink dried up! I don't want to go through that again.)
> >
> > I managed to download the drivers for Debian, the product manual,
> > researched everything I could think of, but now it comes to spending my
> > last few bucks (literally) on the second-most expensive substance* known
> > in human history, so I hesitate before using my debit card.
> >
> > [* laser toner refills are more expensive than refills for inkjet]
> >
> > Brother, of course, "strongly recommends" not to use third-party, or
> > refillable cartridges, etc., but I don't have a warranty, anyway, as I
> > got this thing used.
> >
> > Has anybody else tried the third-party replacement cartridges or
>
> refillables?
>
> > I'll have more questions about set-up, I'm sure, once I get my
> > cartridges. Everything seems to work fine, except for no ink.
> >
> > Bill
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> My experience with brother is they are well supported under linux and
> print/scan well. HOWEVER (insert shocking and dramatic music here), they go
> through inkjet cartridges like mad.
>
> A laser printer is always better because, whilst the cartridges are more
> expensive, they last longer and print more. I have an HP 1320N printer. I
> bought 2 ink cartridges 7 years ago. The first one lasted 5 years. The
> second one is on it's 2nd year. I print at least every other day.
>
> I also have a Brother mfc-j615w. Another network printer. It's great,
> HOWEVER (insert even more shocking and dramatic music here) the new ink
> carts only lasted a week. They sell them cheap in bulk but I would have to
> buy about about $100 worth to last a few months.
>
> I will never buy an inkjet (most inkjets I have were $1 purchased at yard
> sales or were given to me). I would rather save up and get a laser jet.
> Better overall investment.
>
> I don't know if that helps but that is my experience.
>
> (Kate hops off her soapbox, bows, turns and disappears into the mysterious
> fog)
>

Well, I don't have the luxury of shopping round for a laser printer. I got 
this one free, although I see that this printer model still retains for as 
much as $350 on Amazon. And it looks new, seems to run well, as far as I can 
tell without being able to print out yet. 

Anyway, I only need my printer to be good enough to print out MSS for 
revision, and to do mock-up pages for layout; they do not need to be final 
print quality, as it is only for my own use. 

I see refillable cartridges and refill bottles that will run me about $40. I 
hear that they work, but that some of them leak, etc. 

Bill