Heads: Advantages And Drawbacks
The print head block is, as we already explained in our desktop printer comparisons , the core element in the printing process. Print quality depends on it, both when the product is new, and in the long term.
HP and Lexmark have heads integrated into the cartridges, which means new heads every time the cartridge is changed, at least if you buy original cartridges. The only trouble is that this makes a big difference in the price of a new cartridge and, indirectly, in the cost per page for the device.
Epson, on the other hand, has a head fitted to the printer. This makes the cartridges quite a bit cheaper, but, as the heads stay in place, they wear out in time. So there are three risks:
- When it is not used, the head is inclined to clog because the ink dries. There is not much chance of this with HP and Lexmark, where the heads are always new. This becomes fairly tiresome in time, because the heads must be cleaned so often, and cleaning is a long process - noisy and ink-consuming.
- The more you print, the more wear on the heads. Results towards the end of the device's lifetime are likely to be of poorer quality than at the beginning.
- The printer warranty also covers the head. When the warranty runs out, you will have to change your printer if the heads cannot be unclogged, unless you decide to have it repaired - but this is expensive and not always the wisest decision.
Canon has semi-fixed heads. Actually, they are integrated into a separate block and are neither part of the printer nor the cartridge. So, you should change the block when you think the print quality is no longer up to snuff, or when the heads are completely clogged.
