Is your printer worth fixing?

Here are some questions to ask yourself if your old inkjet printer breaks down:

Is it more than a year old? Did you pay $100 - $200 for it?

If you answered yes to these questions then it might be time to replace it rather than having it repaired. In my part of the country, at least, a minimum diagnoses fee runs about $60. (If you can even find someone to look at it.) A decent, low end printer runs $50 - $70.

When shopping for a new printer a good indicator to check is the cpp or Cost Per Page. This can be found in the documentation for most printers and is supposed to indicate how much, over time, with paper, ink cartridges, etc. it will cost to run the printer. Lower is obviously better. Remember, we are looking at low end printers here. The kind you use at home. The kind where you start your print and go get a cup of coffee.

You should also keep in mind your operating system and the kind of connection needed between your pc and the printer.

Good luck. Don't do anything to your pc if you don't know what you are doing or unless you are willing to accept the results. Your mileage may vary. And any other disclaimers that may apply here. Above all, have fun!