OEM inkjet cartridges vs. third-party ink cartridges

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	OEM inkjet cartridges vs. third-party ink cartridges and refills? Dear CNET members, Happy Friday! Wow, I never knew OEM inkjet cartridges vs. third-party ink cartridges and refills would draw such a big response from you folks. Well, Joel, you received a few posts short of 200 replies to your question--now that's impressive! While there was no majority rules in regards to what people preferred using, many people did share their own personal experiences using aftermarket inkjet cartridges, refill kits, and retail refilling stations. Some folks swear by aftermarket cartridges and refills, yet some vow never to use them again as the end results ruined their printers. I've pretty much have stuck with OEM inkjet cartridges as I tend to prefer the output results they give me. On the other hand, my dad is an aftermarket inkjet cartridge junky, vowing never to use OEM again and paying those outrageous prices for them. While I agree that they are pretty expensive, I don't think the colors of his prints are as vibrant as mine, but the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I let it be. Please check out all our member opinions, experiences, and success and failures with aftermarket ink cartridges. There's a lot of great information being passed along, so I'm sure by the time you get through everything, you'll have a good idea of what to try and what not try. I have a few selected member responses in the Q&A section to start. So grab a seat and enjoy, and thanks to all who shared. Take care and have a great weekend! Cheers! - Lee Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com Lee Koo CNET Community manager Last week's question OEM inkjet cartridges vs. third-party ink cartridges and refills? I get a lot of ads and see plenty of offers in stores for printer ink refills and refill kits, and third-party ink. Years ago I put supposedly compatible ink in a Canon printer, and not long after had to have the print head serviced. The tech warned me never to use non-Canon ink again. I have to admit with the high relative price put on genuine Canon ink cartridges, it is tempting to save some significant cash and try aftermarket cartridges again, especially after so many years since my bad experience. Is the tech's warning just as valid in today's market, or are modern nonbranded inks and refills improved and less troublesome and just as compatible as OEM products? What are your experiences? Is there a cheaper alternative to OEM inkjet cartridges? -- Submitted by: Joel A. Featured member solutions for last week's question:  "It really depends... " -- Submitted by: John.Wilkinson  "Over the years, I found... " -- Submitted by: Willy  "Alternative ink cartridges " -- Submitted by: Zouch  "Aftermarket cartridges, refill kits" -- Submitted by: Robert Burns  "Whether it makes sense depends upon a couple factors." -- Submitted by: BigGuns149  "Third-party cartridges and refills...it all depends. " -- Submitted by: Anthony854  Read all member contributions  Thanks to all who contributed! Previous questions and answers 1. Should I upgrade to Internet Explorer 7 or 8? 2. Need help! I lost my Windows XP admin password 3. Do computer Registry cleaners really work? 4. Windows Vista updates are available, but won't download and install 5. Is there a life expectancy on external hard drives?  All previous Community newsletters Community buzz 1. So how will the upgrade from XP to Window 7 work? 2. Windows 7 online preorder query 3. Generally, just how capable are Netbooks? 4. Password-protect external drive 5. Digital camera: Batteries don't hold a charge. What AA batteries should I buy? 6. 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I am considering either the Picture Porter Elite or the Colorspace UDMA hard-drive-type devices. I would appreciate any advice regarding either of these backup devices or others I might consider. Open to ideas and suggestions. Thanks! -- Submitted by: Jane R.   Know the answer? Click here to submit it! Have a tech-related question? Click here to e-mail us on one of these topics: · PC troubleshooting · PC upgrading · Digital music · Consumer electronics · Multimedia · Internet security · Digital cameras · Home audio & video Need help tech right away? Don't wait for us, post your questions in the CNET forums for all the tech help and how-tos. Community quick poll Weigh in on this week poll topic! If you use an inkjet printer, what do you use? (Please click on button to vote)  Original manufacturer ink cartridges.  (Why you choose to do so?)  Remanufactured inkjet cartridges. (How has it worked out? Any recommendations?)  Aftermarket third-party ink cartridges. (How has it worked out? Any recommendations?)  Do-it-yourself ink cartridge refill kits. (How has it worked out? Any recommendations?)  I get my cartridges refilled by reputable retail stores. (How has it worked out? Any recommendations?)  Others. (What is it?) Vote and discuss it here! Simple question, simple answer 1. Reinstalling XP with no recovery disk 2. How to convert a PDF document into image format? 3. IE8: Autofill (autocomplete) and spell check 4. Find a replacement DVD drive for my Dell system 5. Why cell phones with the same specs don't get the same reception? 6. MacBook Pro and camcorders oh my! Help your fellow members 1. Vista not booting...tried everything I could think of 2. Need video card advice? 3. DVD burner no longer recognizing my burning software... Deals and bargains 1. Western Digital hard drive: 1.5 for $117 and 2TB for $180 2. Free Corel Paint Shop Pro X 3. HP Pavilion Elite e9150t Intel Core i7-920 2.66GHz $750 4. 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