June 22nd, 2009
Looking to make the wild and not-entirely-wondrous world of printers exciting for the first time in decades, HP has just unveiled the “world’s first web-connected printer.” If you’re wondering how it plans on accomplishing such an impossible mission, let us just say this: the Photosmart Premium is going the way of the widget. Up on the 4.33-inch front panel is Touchsmart Web, a touchscreen interface with several bundled, online apps to accommodate usual paper-friendly tasks such as printing Google maps, tickets from Fandango, coupons, recipes, Sudoku, etc. There’s even a full-on HD Apps Studio just in case downloading new apps on one’s printer really becomes the new hotness. The API’s being made open for the entire realm of developers, but we have to wonder what kind of interest we’ll see here. Pricing is set for $399…
HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web is the world’s first Web connected home
printer. Powered by touch and empowered by the Web, this sleek device provides quick,
simple touchscreen access to important, useful and personal online content.(1) With the
largest LCD touchscreen of any all-in-one inkjet printer (4.33-inches), the HP TouchSmart
Web control panel conveniently connects users to the Web via pre-loaded HP apps.
Part of an entirely new Web-based printing platform, these apps enable easy printing of
maps, coupons, movie tickets, recipes and more from partners including Google,
DreamWorks Animation, Fandango and Coupons.com, among others.
Users can also connect to Snapfish and directly from the HP Photosmart Premium with
TouchSmart Web, which saves time and enables customers to archive or print photos
from the site like never before… just touch, print and go. People additionally can
access projects from the HP Creative Studio.
A versatile printing solution with print, fax, copy and scan functionality, the HP
Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web is perfect for multi-tasking households –
meeting all their high-quality home printing needs in one premium product, from laserquality
text to lab-quality photos. With a full range of wired and wireless connectivity
options, this printer provides the freedom and flexibility to print directly from Wi-Fi
enabled PCs, Bluetooth®-enabled devices, the iPhone™ and the iPod touch™ using HP
iPrint Photo. Expected to be available for purchase September 2009 in North America.
Click over to Engadget for a full rundown on the capabilities of the HP Photosmart Premium.
Categories: Printers
Tags: HP, HP Photosmart, Internet, network, printer
June 17th, 2009
Just because we’re in the business of supplying printer consumables doesn’t mean we think everyone should print out everything they need to transfer from one computer to another, or every picture on their camera. Even remanufactured consumables cost money, and saving money is something we are all interested in these days.
Many of us have several computers we use everyday, one at work, another at home and maybe a laptop we use on the road. There are times when I have a document or picture on my work computer I’d like to transfer to my home computer or have available to me when I’m out using my laptop. In the past I might have emailed that document or picture to myself, or even uploaded it to my webspace so I could download it when I needed it. These methods work, but they also require work. There’s a simpler way I’ve been testing and am pleased to recommend.
Dropbox is a web-based application that makes transferring any file as easy as dragging-and-dropping it from one folder to another. Dropbox works equally well in Windows, Macintosh and Linux.
When you install the desktop portion of the Dropbox application you’ll have a tray icon that, when clicked, opens a window on your desktop similar to a Windows Explorer interface. To save a file, folder or picture simply drag it from its location on your computer to a folder in the Dropbox window. Dropbox will synchronize itself on the server side, so that when you open the application on another computer all your files are there. You can also log into your Dropbox account from any computer. This makes it easy to share files with family and co-workers.
Best of all Dropbox is free for storage of up to 2 GB. Need more space? You can get a 50 GB account for $9.99 per month or $99.00 per year, and 100 GB for $19.99 per month or $199.00 per year.
I highly recommend Dropbox to anyone who frequently works from different computers or people who need a dead simple way to share files and images with others (and don’t mind giving out their account name and password).
Check it out for yourself at GetDropbox.com.
Categories: Cartridges
Tags: Dropbox, File Management, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Windows Explorer
June 15th, 2009
We are now able to refill the HP C6602A black ink cartridge, but we are not yet able to refill the color cartridges in that same series.
We’ll post a notice here as soon as we’re able to refill the color cartridges.
Categories: Cartridges, inkjet
Tags: C6602A, cartridge, HP, inkjet
June 11th, 2009
Some of our new customers get confused about how we work, especially when it comes to exchanging cartridges. Let me see if I can clarify how it works.
When you buy a refilled or remanufactured cartridge from us, we need to replace the cartridge you’re buying in order to keep our prices as low as they are.
One way for us to replenish our stock of empty cartridges is to buy them from brokers or our customers. We generally pay $1 for empty ink cartridges and $3 for empty laser cartridges.
If you come in to buy a cartridge without an empty one to exchange, we have to add the cost of replacing that cartridge to your purchase. For example, if you’re buying an HP 56 black ink cartridge without an exchange, the cost to you is $12.99, a dollar more than it would be with an empty cartridge to exchange. If you bought an HP Laserjet 2600 cartridge for $49.99 without an empty to exchange, the actual cost before tax would be $52.99 ($49.99 + $3 core charge).
It’s really no different than when you buy a car battery. Without an old battery to exchange for the core, a core charge is added on in order to replace the battery you’re purchasing.
To encourage recycling, we also buy empty cartridges that are in good shape, are original cores and ones that we need. So if you came in to buy an HP 21 black ink cartridge and you had 3 empty cartridges with you, we would consider one to be an exchange for the one you’re buying and we’d give you an additional $2 off for the extra cartridges.
We don’t always purchase empty cartridges (in many cases we already have plenty of empty cores) but we are always willing to recycle any you have. This prevents them from winding up in our local landfill. We prefer to reuse cartridges, but if we can’t reuse we want to at least recycle.
If you ever have any questions regarding what we do or how we do it, and your questions aren’t answered on this website, please call us, send an email or drop by. We’d be happy to answer any question you may have.
Categories: Cartridges, Recycling, store
Tags: cartridge, Peripherals, printer, Recycling
June 4th, 2009
More than 1,500 Web Sites have been Attacked.
Severity: High Risk
What is it?
Gumblar is currently targeting users of IE and Google search, delivering malware through compromised sites that infect a user’s PC and subsequently intercepts traffic between the user and the visited sites. This means that once infected, anything the victim types could be monitored and used to commit identity theft, such as stealing credit card numbers, passwords or other sensitive data. Visitors encountering the compromised website also risk having their subsequent search results replaced with links that point to other malicious websites. The malware can also steal FTP credentials from the victim’s computer and use them to infect more sites, thus increasing the spread of this threat.
Who is at risk?
Users of Internet Explorer and Google’s search engine.
Prevention
Make sure you anti-virus definitions are up-to-date and practice caution when sharing your personal information online. Make sure you only do so on secure sites (https://)
(information courtesy of Zone Alarm via Gmail)
Categories: Security
Tags: Google search, Internet Explorer, malware, Security
June 4th, 2009
Important Safety Recall
HP Notebook PC Battery Pack Replacement Program
May 14, 2009
This program addresses an issue with specific battery packs used
in certain HP, HP Pavilion, HP Compaq and Compaq Notebook PCs. The
battery packs have the potential to overheat posing a fire and
burn hazard to consumers.
o HP customers will be eligible to receive a replacement battery
pack for each qualified battery pack at no cost.
o Visit the HP Notebook PC Battery Pack Replacement Program
website for additional information:
http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement
(from Gmail)
Categories: Cartridges
May 21st, 2009
- Image by RafeB via Flickr
One of our customers inquired today about portable inkjet printers, and while there isn’t a source of reviews comparable to the ones for laser printers that I could find, I did run across the following that I hope will be of some help.
Portable inkjet printers are a compact and lightweight option for use with laptops. They can run on battery or electrical power; some even have an optional adapter to run off a car’s cigarette lighter. Reviews say that portable printers can’t match the speed of desktop printers and cost much more both to buy and to run. They are made for low-volume use. Many portable printers are Bluetooth compatible, which means that they will work with a wireless adapter and can receive input from a PDA or mobile phone.
The Canon Pixma iP100 (*Est. $235) receives great comments from CNet.com’s Justin Yu, who says that its speed and resolution are top notch for a portable printer. Print quality is also praised and text is said to be clean, with Simon Williams of TrustedReviews.com stating that the iP100 is on par with full-sized, desktop inkjet printers.
The iP100 is an update of the Canon Pixma ip90v portable printer, and there are several notable improvements. These include a larger number of printheads, higher color resolution, 50-sheet input capacity (an increase of 20 sheets), faster printing and, according to the CNet.com review, a slight improvement in print quality. Connectivity options include PictBridge, USB and infrared for connection to cell phones. There are no memory card slots and the iP100 printer does not offer Wi-Fi connectivity.
HP’s Officejet H470 portable printer (*Est. $220) does not fare as well at CNet.com, where Justin Yu says problems include “fuzzy” and “blurred” text. Photos print out smooth, Yu says, but colors are flat and lack saturation. PC Magazine’s M. David Stone largely agrees, saying the H470’s text quality is “subpar,” and notes banding when printing in certain modes. U.K.-based PC Advisor sees similar issues, but the reviewer writes that swapping the default black ink cartridge for an optional six-ink photo cartridge resulted in “superb” output on photo paper. Simon Williams of TrustedReviews.com, on the other hand, feels that the H470 performs well for a portable printer, and that its print speeds actually exceed HP’s specifications. He also disagrees with negative assessments of the H470’s text printing, saying that even when reproducing small fonts there is only “slight fuzziness” around the edges.
Reviews that contrast the HP Officejet H470 with the Canon Pixma iP100 are inconclusive as to which is the superior product. M. David Stone at PC Magazine notes that while the iP100 is superior in speed and some aspects of print quality, the H470 wins out in such areas as ink cartridge yields. Both printers have some similar costly, optional add-ons, such as Bluetooth adapters and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
If you are searching for a portable printer, there are some key differences in features between the Canon Pixma iP100 and HP Officejet H470 that may help you choose the best model. Most notably, HP’s H470 offers Wi-Fi connectivity and memory card slots. It also costs less to equip and operate; for instance, the H470’s optional battery costs around $50, while the iP100’s is twice as expensive. HP even offers a soft carrying case — a frill missing with the Pixma iP100. If you do not need these options and value print quality above all else, however, reviews indicate that Canon’s Pixma iP100 is the better performing portable printer. (Source – Consumer Search)
Categories: Printers, Reviews
Tags: Bluetooth, canon, Hardware, Hewlett-Packard, Inkjet printer, Peripherals, PictBridge, printer
May 21st, 2009
In January, PC World Magazine reviewed some of the newer color laser printers on the market and gave their top marks to the Dell 3130CN. 
B&W Pages per Min.: B&W PPM:31, Color Pages per Min.: Color PPM:26, Max. B&W dpi: 600-by-600, Max. Color dpi: 600-by-600, Tray Capacity, pages: 400
Bottom Line: Spoil your small workgroup with this printer’s speed, great output quality, and cheap toner.
The printers they have reviewed are intended for use in small to medium businesses. They are still a bit too expensive for the average home user. For example, the Dell 3130CN retails for around $520 0nline while at Staples the cartridges are priced at $142 for black, $253 each for the colors. That’s $901 for a full round of cartridges. Unfortunately at present we are unable to remanufacture these cartridges.
PC World’s second favorite color laser printer is the Brother HL-4040CN. These printers cost around $350, though refurbished models are available for $100 less.
B&W Pages per Min.: B&W PPM:21, Color Pages per Min.: Color PPM:21, Max. B&W dpi: 2400-by-600, Max. Color dpi: 2400-by-600, Tray Capacity, pages: 300
Bottom Line: This competent printer balances good pricing, speed, and print quality with a sometimes-awkward design.
Consumables for this printer at retail will run you $91 for the black cartridge and $128 for each color cartridge (price reflects the high yield TN-115), a total of $475 for each full cartridge change. We charge $49 for the black and $69 for each color cartridge, bring the cost of a full set down to $256.
The third highest overall score was earned by another Dell, the 2130cn.
B&W Pages per Min.: B&W PPM:20, Color Pages per Min.: Color PPM:16, Max. B&W dpi: 600-by-600, Max. Color dpi: 600-by-600, Tray Capacity, pages: 250,
Bottom Line: Your small workgroup will enjoy this capable color laser until it’s time to buy more toner (especially since we cannot yet remanufacture these cartridges).
If your needs are best met with a monochrome laser, here are PC World’s top picks in that category:
Dell 1720dn - Bottom Line:This fast, well-equipped laser can handle both SOHO and workgroup needs, and it has room to grow.
HP Laserjet P1505 - Bottom Line: Cheaply priced but also cheaply designed, this printer’s saving grace is its speed.
Samsung ML-1630 - Sleek and shiny-black, the ML-1630 has miles of style and adequate performance for personal use.
Oki Printing Solutions B4400n - Bottom Line: This sturdily built, solid performer is overshadowed by lower-cost competitors with similar specs.
Lexmark E352dn - Bottom Line: The price may be high, but this printer offers speed and features galore, plus expandability.
These reviews and more information on printers and cartridges can be found on the PC World website.
Categories: Computers & Printers, laser
Tags: cartridge, Hardware, laser printer, Peripherals, toner
May 11th, 2009
Question: So how does an inkjet printer know exactly how much ink is left inside a cartridge?
Answer: It doesn’t. It approximates.
Courtesy of Hewlett-Packard)
Printer manufacturers install firmware (so called because it’s the software that controls a piece of hardward) into every printer they sell. The firmware contains drivers and the interface between the user and their printer. It’s what determines the ink level in the cartridge.
But how does it do that? There’s no float or other mechanical means of measuring the ink remaining in a cartridge. It is able to accomplish this by using an algorithm and counting pages.
If you took all the content on an 8½x11 printed page and condensed it into a solid block it would cover 5% of the page.
The image to the left illustrates 5% page coverage. As you can see, it’s a fairly average amount of text for a letter.
So every time your printer uses enough ink to cover 5% of a page an internal counter ticks off one page. When the counter reaches page number 150, 495 or however many pages the manufacturer has rated the cartridge to produce you’ll be notified your cartridge is out of ink. It may or may not really be out of ink, but your printer thinks it is.
Your printer may not allow you to continue printing until you replace the cartridge, even though it may still contain a small volume of ink. This is something else that’s coded into the firmware.
Not all cartridges are created (or filled) equally and as a result yield different page counts.
For example, the HP 02 series of color ink cartridges come in three ink volumes, but only two are obvious. There’s a physical difference in the shape of the HP 02 cyan and the HP 02XL cyan. However, if you buy an HP 02 cartridge bundled with photo paper you’ll be getting a cartridge identical in appearance with the standard 02 cartridge but with less ink inside. Staples includes a disclaimer, “Value ink cartridges are smaller in size than single cartridges” on the description page of these underfilled cartridges. They aren’t truly “smaller in size”, but rather smaller in ink volume. Some HP cartridges will have a number on them similar to “CC604FN” or “C8773WN”. “FN” generally indicates a low yield HP ink cartridge while “WN” indicates a standard or high yield cartridge.
When we refill these cartridges we use the quantity of ink required for the high yield or “WN” cartridge. When you purchase these cartridges, whether new or refilled, it pays to be sure what ink level you’re getting and how many pages you should expect from them.
Categories: Cartridges
Tags: Ink cartridge, ink levels, Inkjet printer, Supplies
May 1st, 2009
Recycle San Diego is accepting electronics for recycling over the next two weekends.
FREE eWASTE DROP OFF EVENT – SAN DIEGO
Saturday, May 2, 2009
10am-1pm
Recycle San Diego Parking Lot
8222 Ronson Road, San Diego, CA 92111
Saturday, May 9, 2009
10am-1pm
Recycle San Diego Parking Lot
8222 Ronson Road, San Diego, CA 92111
Recycle San Diego is hosting a FREE electronics recycling event which is open to the general public. Bring any amount of eWASTE to have it recycled for free.
Directions to their facility and more information can be found on their website.
Categories: Computers & Printers, Printers, Recycling, San Diego
Tags: Electronic waste, electronics, Recycling, San Diego
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