The HP Ink cartridge was one of the first computer items to create controversy among cost conscious consumers. It seemed that HP ink cartridges could become very expensive over a short period of time.

For many HP owners a new cartridge was needed very quickly and this meant that soon you would spend more money for the supply of printing cartridges than you had spent to purchase the computer.

Although there was a devoted market for new ink cartridges it was soon obvious that there was a place for remanufactured cartridges as well.

Those individuals who were once spending big bucks to keep those new ink cartridges on hand then had the option of saving money by purchasing ‘refilled’ cartridges. Thus began the protracted arguments about whether or not the new HP cartridges were a better bargain.

Quality would often suffer when the cheaper, remanufactured cartridges were used. Still, you had to offset this factor against the money you were saving. Which is the better bargain? The jury is still mulling over the final answer. The best bet? Go with your gut.