Epson has announced that it will be releasing a new line of EcoTank printers, which will replace the ink cartridges used by most desktop printers today with ink tanks.
According to Epson, the ink tanks that will come with the EcoTank printers will last for two whole years before a replacement is required based on a monthly household printing of 200 pages.
Of course, just how long the ink tank will last depends on how heavy the usage of the printer is for the user. However, two years for the average use of a printer will most certainly be a welcome change compared to using ink cartridges that seem like they need replacements every other week.
The two printers that Epson unveiled, EcoTank L355 and EcoTank L555, have the ability to print up to 4,000 pages in black and up to 6,500 pages in full color.
The high numbers are achieved by the printers through the usage of the new ink tanks, which have very high capacities. It is also very easy to refill the ink tanks, as users only have to pour the ink into the tanks through drip-free bottles.
Both printers have the standard print, copy and scan functions, along with Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition, the L555 can also work as a fax machine, for offices and users that are still not able to let go of the aging technology, along with an Automatic Document Feeder for up to 30 pages and an LCD screen.
The warranty that Epson provides for the Ink Tank system is good for a period of one year or a minimum of 30,000 pages.
The new EcoTank printers will have a price that starts at around $400, compared to the usual price of other printers that cost about $120. However, the higher price is because Epson will be making its profits from the printer, as opposed to in the past when most of the profits were made through the sales of ink cartridges.
According to Epson, users will be able to save 60 to 65 percent on costs from using an Ink Tank printer compared to a printer that uses cartridges. Epson ink refill bottles only cost $5.50 per bottle, and users are even allowed to refill the ink tanks with non-Epson brand ink refills.
The decision by Epson to release ink tank printers is spurred by the trend of consumers choosing to purchase generic ink cartridges as opposed to branded cartridges, which have cut into the profits of Epson and other printer manufacturers. In addition, printer usage has drastically decreased as users opt to share images on social media instead of printing them out.
