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Dell Takes the Low Road Regarding Ink Cartridges

Anonymous Coward writes "Dell released a line of printers today, manufactured by Lexmark. As covered by by Yahoo they '..contain a chip that disables the cartridge if it is refilled and replaced in a Dell printer..' and 'The cartridges are different sizes than cartridges from other printer vendors, including Lexmark, the spokesperson said. This will limit the amount of knockoff cartridges available, but only until someone figures out how to reverse engineer Dell's cartridges.'" In the interest of full disclosure, note that the poster sells knockoff carts.

5 of 426 comments (clear)

  1. Funny by AvitarX · · Score: 4, Funny

    usually on slashdot using technology and not legalese is the high road to preventing things you don't want.

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  2. Next... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    New cars' gas tanks will not be able to be refilled. If you need new gas, you will have to buy a new gas tank from Ford, GM, etc. This will ensure you get the highest quality feul that will ensure the maximum life of your car. A smart chip will prevent manual refilling.

  3. Oh, Dell paper too... by SourceHammer · · Score: 5, Funny

    At least it doesn't require that you have to print exclusively on Dell paper. I bet someone is inventing that right now.

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  4. Please Remember by worst_name_ever · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...when you refill ink cartridges, you're refilling terrorism!

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    In Soviet Rush, today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you.
  5. hp stinks, hp rocks, hp stinks, hp rocks, etc... by Vaughn+Anderson · · Score: 4, Funny

    Years ago (4) I was impressed when my neighbor got his HP printer picked up at his house, fixed by HP and sent back to his door step.

    HP is cool! I said.

    I buy a deskjet. 842c! I run out of ink in a week with my wimpy half cartridge that came with it.

    HP stinks.

    I refill all my colors and black appropriately (therfore spending as much as the printer cost) and I buy some nice HP photo paper, and the prints are brilliant!

    HP rocks!

    I find out you can't refill the latest ink cartridges.

    HP stinks.

    I find out I have an old printer and I can refill my cartridges!

    HP rocks!