Epson Style Photo R200 printer -- replenish or replace?

[MacUser_Since_1986]

For at least 5 years, probably more, our family business office has been using an Epson Stylus Photo R200 inkjet printer to print color photos, small signs, and home-made printable CDs/DVDs. (The R200 offers a special accessory tray for feeding the discs; it does a great job)

We don't use the R200 all the time. It receives light use for our color print jobs and whenever a printable disc needs to be made. For those tasks it is invaluable. It is usually plugged into an Airport Extreme Base Station. Epson's R200 software doesn't offer the capability to check its ink cartridge levels over WiFi, though. For that, the Epson must be unplugged and lugged into another room to be plugged directly into a computer so that Epson's inkjet utility can interface directly with the printer. So checking on ink and replacing ink cartridges is a little bit of a pain.

Replacing the ink cartridges costs between $60 and $90 depending on the store you buy from. Getting them from Amazon is only a little less than the printer cost when it was brand-new.

Based on all of this, is it time to replace the Epson with a newer model? Can the newer ones check the ink over the network? Are they faster? Can they be found for a similar price as the ink?

[Y-Guy]

We use several Brother brand printers and I can check their ink via the Network. Not sure it does all you are looking for, just know between 3 Ink Jets and 3 Lasers I've been happy with the Brother MFC printers we have.

Have you checked to see if Monoprice.com sells ink for your Epson?
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[MacUser_Since_1986]

No. I appreciate the suggestion, though. Will check them out.