HP 49A Black Toner Cartridge (Q5949A)

HP Print Cartridges

The cartridge life is significantly less and the price more than several years earlier. Am considering another brand printer for my next printer because of increasing expense of printing and the fact that my last...Read complete review

The cartridge life is significantly less and the price more than several years earlier. Am considering another brand printer for my next printer because of increasing expense of printing and the fact that my last two color cartridges for my photo printer have expired while still showing good ink supply--that is 46% left. When I purchase a cartridge I expect to have to full use of it until gone--not for a limited time. This is my fifth HP Printer but it will be my last because of the expense and the decreased number of copies. With the laser jet --I used to get 3300 to 3500 copies and now only get 2500-2700 copies--approximately 10,000 less for more money. On the Ink jet which I only use for greeting cards and photos my last two cartridges have expired--one before I ever got to use it. The Black cartridge I bought in November 08 with a December 08 date would not print in March 09--yet it showed 46% remaining ink. The color cartridge I bought the year before would not work brand new--I used to buy a new one when I inserted my last one so I always had a back-up on hand. I did not know about the new system of dating and only limited use So I had a brand new cartridge with a June date and by December it was not useable; the store could not refund exchange. I had a receipt for the one I purchased in November of 08 and they did let me exchange that one in March when it would not print with almost half of the ink supply remaining. That is why I am not going to purchase another HP Printer. My printer is for home and recreation use. Other printers also produce good color copies at less expense per copy and no expiration date for the ink cartridge.

Bottom line your quality is great for a limited time on the ink jet color and black cartridges; the quality is excellent on the laserjet black cartridegs but are no longer as cost effective as other brands with comparable quality finished product and my next printers will not be HP.