Dell recently made its first foray into the printer market with the release of four new printers, three of which have cartridges subject to a Prebate-style program. The company advertises that the printers feature either the Dell Ink Management System or Dell Toner Management System. The company’s press release states that these systems "simplify the purchasing process by displaying ink or toner levels on the status window during every print job and proactively prompting users to order replacement cartridges … One click of a mouse leads to Dell's online imaging supply store, which recognizes each user's printer model and offers the appropriate replacement ink or toner cartridge, greatly reducing the risk of buying the wrong cartridge. New cartridges can be delivered as quickly as the next business day."
Dell sells its products directly through its Web site and telephone lines with no products available in retail stores, but a recent Wall Street Journal article covering Dell’s new printers mentions that shipping of replacement cartridges is free.
Consumers can choose either a standard replacement cartridge for the laser models, or a "Use and Return" cartridge, which is marketed as a one-time use cartridge that should be returned to Dell for Prebate-style remanufacturing. Dell touts Use and Return as being "easy-to-use and avoids rebate hassles by providing a 23 to 27 percent discount on the purchase price of toner cartridges. When your cartridge is empty, return it to Dell in our postage-free packaging. We'll ensure that the empties are properly recycled and kept out of landfills."
Dell Spokesperson Mary Fad said that Dell would not release information on the percentage of Use and Return cartridges being manufactured in relation to the standard cartridges. Pricing for the cartridges on Dell’s Web site lists the Use and Return cartridges from $25 to $35 cheaper than the regular-priced cartridges. Inkjet cartridges are not subject to the discount, but Dell encourages consumers to return the cartridges for its own recycling/demanufacturing process.
While Fad said that there was "no penalty" for not sending the Use and Return cartridge back to Dell, it could not be reused. The company’s Web site states that customers who wish to send cartridges to a third-party remanufacturer can purchase the regular-priced cartridge. Fad also stated that non-Dell cartridges "would not work" in Dell printers.
According to Fad, the first four printer models are just a start, and Dell would follow up with additional models.
In Dell’s press release, the printers are listed as follows:
The Dell Personal All-in-One Printer A940, an all-in-one printer, scanner and standalone copier, with fax software. The A940 features up to 4800 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi) print resolution, enabling high-quality photographic printing, and up to 600 x 2400 dpi resolution when scanning. It prints black text at speeds of up to 17 pages per minute (ppm) and color up to 12 ppm. It sells for $139.
The Dell Personal Laser Printer P1500, a personal laser printer designed for business or home use featuring speeds of up to 19 ppm, 1200 image quality (IQ) and 600 dpi. The P1500 is available for $289.
The Dell Workgroup Laser Printer S2500 and S2500n, a high-volume laser printer series available in networked (n) and non-networked versions, delivering speeds of up to 22 ppm. The S2500 and S2500n print at 1200 IQ, 600 dpi and sell for $499 and $839, respectively.
Fad said that the printers were in response to a demand by Dell’s customers. "We listen to our customers and give them what they want," said Fad.
For more information, see Dell's Web site at http://www.dell.com.
