| When buying printers, it is important to consider | | | | share as consumers have become more savvy |
| the ink cartridges or toners because that is | | | | about ink cartridge technology. Many consumers |
| something you will be buying repeatedly. If the | | | | are happy with the level of service that Epson |
| print quality isn't up to your expectation, you may | | | | provides. |
| find yourself stuck with an unsatisfactory printer. | | | | HP also provides excellent service. But the |
| Two major competing brands in the market place | | | | technology that it employs is not as sophisticated. |
| are HP and Epson. It's a matter of time that you | | | | HP executives have decided that cost is the |
| will come across these two brands and start | | | | prime concern. Therefore, much of the focus has |
| comparing. | | | | been placed on informing consumers about the |
| The reason why the two brands are so popular is | | | | cost savings. |
| that they both have their key advantages. | | | | No doubt, cost is an important concern, especially |
| For Epson, the emphasis has always been on print | | | | for businesses that print in large volume. HP |
| quality. Therefore, a lot of emphasis has been | | | | cartridges claim to print as much as 15% to 20% |
| placed on the technology that manages the | | | | more than conventional cartridges. |
| printing process. For example, the chip in the ink | | | | Consumers who have used HP's printing solutions |
| cartridge helps to stabilize the printing process, | | | | find the printers and ink to perform reasonably |
| making sure that every point on the ink cartridge | | | | well. Printing is fast, and the ink dries quickly |
| functions properly. | | | | enough to prevent smearing. However, if you |
| The chip also helps with communication that | | | | want to improve the quality of printing, you may |
| happens between the printer and the computer. | | | | have to use higher quality paper that absorbs ink |
| Whenever the level of ink is low, this can be | | | | better. This inevitably leads to higher cost. |
| displayed on the PC using special software. | | | | So the decision to use Epson or HP printers |
| Information about printing yield, which is important | | | | depends on what is more important to you. Do |
| to all businesses, is also available. | | | | you prefer quality and reliability, or are you |
| Epson uses a non-foam technology that is | | | | primarily concerned about cost? Both brands offer |
| different from conventional ink cartridges. Foam | | | | its own unique advantages. |
| based ink cartridges have been known to | | | | HP appears to offer inferior printing quality at first |
| distribute ink unevenly. With its SmartValve | | | | glance. But they have been improving their printing |
| technology, Epson has been able to overcome this | | | | quality by using better inks. Today, they boast |
| problem. | | | | that the inks they use are light-fade resistance, |
| When you look at the level of sophistication of | | | | ozone-fade resistance, and scratch and water |
| Epson's print cartridges, two things come to mind | | | | resistance. This makes HP ink cartridges a very |
| - reliability and quality. To date, Epson has been | | | | attractive option for home and small business |
| able to capture a large portion of the market | | | | owners. |