Samsung ML-1630W Mono Laser Style Printer Review

This is a general observation about starter cartridges.

I don't work for a printer manufacturer, but I do work for a consultancy that advises on printing.

There is a genuine reason why most starter cartridges are smaller than standard, and it is not simply meanness by the manufacturers. It's because most printers have nylon gears which need a certain amount of running in. A full cartridge needs more power to overcome the resistance of the powder to the agitator paddles, especially if it has been sitting in a warehouse for maybe a year. A half cartridge needs a lot less, so this gives a chance for the gears to run in at a lower loading. This lengthens engine life and reduces infant mortality.

I suspect, in fact, that the industry is so competitive nowadays that the manufacturer makes no real profit on the printer sale until you buy the first replacement cartridge. This is certainly true of low end colour printers, where the first set of cartridges costs as much as the printer.

Looks like it's only in the UK where you don't get the Wifi/Ethernet connectivity. US customers are treated to another model with a different part number of ML-1630W/XAA which includes the extra connectivity. If anyone see's this model available in the UK please comment, I quite like this printer!