Next timeyou're told that a printer is included with the computer system, tell them:
I CAN'T AFFORD THAT!

Many companies like Canon and Lexmark have moved into the arena of 'giving their printers away'.  These printers, of which some do have excellent output, tend to be the most costly to run.

Take for instance any Canon printer in the 200 or 1000 series.  These printers which use the BC-05 color cartridge.  The cartridge itself contains very little ink.  In fact the color cartridge, the BC-05 contains no more than 2cc of ink per color chamber.  For those of you who are not quite sure what this means, I have included a small comparison chart to show capacities of various cartridges and manufacturers.  The biggest concern is not the amount of ink in the cartridges, but the cost of the cartridges in comparison to the amolunt of ink you get.  A BC-05 color cartridge sells for no less than 29.95.  In some cities we have found these cartridges (in computer super stores and office chains) as high as 36.95.

For anyone who wants to own a printer so that they can print should stay away from any of the printers using the BC-05 cartridge.  They are without a doubt the most expensive printers to run.
In some of the printers that use the BC-05 you must use the Color cartridge to print black.  That is if you want black and color on the same page.  Besides a poor printing black, you are also wasting a huge amount of ink.
To print black the printer must use a combination of colors.  Hence the poor looking black and the quickly dimishing ink levels.
It is time for a real price comparison.  Let say that you own an Epson 740 which uses the SO20191 color cartridge.  You only print color text (instead of black text) and go through 12 cartridges in a year. (one per month).  To print the same amount with the Canon you would requires 6x more cartridges then with the Epson. 

Time for math:
12 Epson S020191 Color Cartridges x 28.99 per cartridge = $347.88
72 Canon BC-05 Color Cartridges x 35.99 per cartridge = $2591.28
Let us assume you only use 1/6 of what we mentioned above
2 Epson SO20191 Color Cartridge x 28.99 per cartridge = $57.98
12 Canon BC-05 Color Cartridges x 35.99 per cartridge = $413.88

With the Canon printer using the BC-05 cartridge, printing only 250 pages of text per month at 5% page coverage, you will spend $413.88 per year on cartridges alone.  5% page coverage, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, it is the unofficial standard by which most printer manufacturers rate their cartridges.  A page with 5% page coverage would have about as much text as 1/3 of this page, printed in regular print mode, with no graphics, and no lines.

Shall we now add insult to injury?  We forgot to mention two factors.  The first is that you can purchase generic cartridge for the Epson and can not purchase them for the Canon.  The generic cartridge for the Epson will reduce the Epson cost per year to $18.00 using the example above.
The second item that may be of interest is that there are refill kits available for both of these (Epson and Canon).  This will greatly (and I mean GREATLY) reduce the cost of running the Canon.  But, let it be known that the number of times you refill the Canon is going to be limited to how long the print assembly holds up on the cartridge.

Important note:  (Saving ourselves from legal hell.)  Our opinion of the Canon being a rip off of a purchase whether paid for or given for free is just an opinion.  Many people do like thier Canon printers using BC-05 cartridges.  We are yet unable to find anyone who is satisfied with paying the high prices of the cartridges though.