Update on Lexmark 100 Series Cartridges

No good news I am afraid. As explained in the previous technical bulletin we have been investigating the new Lexmark 100 Series cartridges which are in the complete range of new Lexmarks AIO inkjet printers. The cartridge feature a new RFID type chip under the cartridge label. This chip is used to identify the cartridge and, I would imagine, ink levels. If you remove the chip the printer does not recognise the cartridge is installed.

Our initial impressions of our test printer, the low end 'S305' model is that the print quality and speed are surprisingly good. With individual ink cartridges, wireless capabilities and a 5 year warranty it sounds like a much better offering from Lexmark.

We installed the printhead and the four return program individual ink cartridges (black, cyan, magenta and yellow) and then installed the driver and the printer updates from Lexmark which is part of the installation procedure.

Upon opening the cartridges I did notice that they are 'return program' cartridges. Many of us are all too aware of the return program with other Lexmark cartridges, but I thought I would include here the actual writing that is on the box.

The following RETURN PROGRAM information is actually on the box and the foil inside the box. This means that your customer actually accepts the following license twice before even touching the cartridge. Although I doubt they know this.

This is the writing on the box and the foil packaging:
'Opening this package or using the print cartridge inside confirms your acceptance of the following license/agreement. The patented print cartridge and its content are licensed for a single use only. After the single use, the license to use the print cartridge terminates, and the used cartridge must be returned only to Lexmark for remanufacturing, refilling or recycling. Visit www.lexmark.com/recycle for return information. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS, RETURN THE UNOPENED PACKAGE TO YOUR POINT OF PURCHASE. A replacement cartridge sold without these terms is available through www.lexmark.com'

Of course there is an 'A' version of the Lexmark 100 series which is not a return program version, but we can't buy one anywhere. The 'A' Version of the cartridge is one you really own, strange world huh!. The 'A" version is the only type that can be refilled, we were intrigued by what would happen if we kept on printing with the return program version and yes, as you would expect, the cartridge 'comes up as empty'. No matter what I tried I could not get the printer to print again until the cartridge was replaced with our only choice at the moment: a return program version cartridge.

I contacted Lexmark about where I could buy the 'A' version cartridges and they told me they are not available in this country yet and could not give me any idea of when that would be. In fact they asked me why i would want to buy such a cartridge as it is more expensive. The 'A' version is available in many overseas countries, but until we see the 'A' cartridge it seems very much like a refilling service can't be provided for this cartridge.