| "In the last few decades, intense product rivalries | | | | comparable to those of new cartridges, the latter |
| such have fueled countless studies, market | | | | still outdoes the former when it comes to printing |
| performance comparisons, surveys and water | | | | documents and photos in color. Photos printed |
| cooler conversations. There's Mac vs. Windows, | | | | using refilled cartridges, say manufacturers of |
| Nikon vs. Canon, Coke vs. Pepsi and Yahoo! vs. | | | | brand new ink cartridges, fade quicker too. |
| Google. And now offices, schools, shops and the | | | | Despite this though, the fact that refilled |
| blogosphere are once again buzzing with | | | | cartridges (or compatible ink cartridges for that |
| discussions over a new rivalry: ink cartridge refills | | | | matter) are more cost-effective however, seem |
| vs. new and branded cartridges. | | | | to be enough to convince consumers (particularly, |
| Supporters of the two products point out | | | | those who use them for simple business and |
| different reasons proving why one is better than | | | | home needs) to switch to refilled cartridges. |
| the other. Those who are partial to refills give one | | | | Records show that the refilling industry is already |
| reason why their product of choice: they are | | | | worth $6.5 billion and that it is expected to grow |
| cheaper than brand new ones. Costing as much | | | | by 18% in a year. It also experiences a 59% |
| as 60% less than branded printer ink cartridges, | | | | satisfaction rate. |
| refills are no longer just an alternative, but, for | | | | So who will win the competition between refilled |
| many, the true answer to all their printing needs. | | | | and brand new ink cartridges? |
| Environmental activists have also been among the | | | | With the price of brand new cartridges steadily |
| advocates of re-filling as this eliminates the need | | | | dropping and the quality of ink refills continuously |
| to dispose of cartridges every time they run out | | | | improving, this battle is still difficult to call. In the |
| of ink, thus considerably lessening the number of | | | | meantime, some suggest that those who wish to |
| empty cartridges thrown as thrash. | | | | get the best of both worlds could always employ |
| On the other hand, those loyal to brand new | | | | the two-printer technique: use a printer loaded |
| cartridges tout quality as the number one reason | | | | with brand new cartridges to print documents |
| why people should stick to using the products | | | | that require superior quality (e.g. important photos |
| from Epson, HP, Canon and other brand names. | | | | that need to last for decades, company |
| While a study conducted by Quality Logic proved | | | | brochures, etc.), and for everything else, save |
| that the quality of refilled cartridges' print outs | | | | yourself some money and use refilled cartridges. |
| when it comes to black and white text are | | | | |