Rating: 
Summary: will it last a normal lifespan? toss a coin
Review: I have used about 5 of these 12A1970 cartridges. I don't do a lot of printing, therefore the ink tends to degrade over time somehow. I have not tried the cold water method suggested by some, but I will remember it. 2 or 3 of the cartridges I bought did not not even last the normal number of sheets printed before the print started getting so bad it was unusable. I think Lexmark has designed the ink to be bad, or the printheads to be unreliable, so that customers are forced to buy new cartridges regularly, even if they don't print a lot of pages. Never again will I buy a Lexmark printer. If the cartridges were $5 or $10, you could easily put up with these problems. But at $25-30, this level of performance is inexcusably bad. Boo hiss.
Rating:
Summary: Still waiting for my order to arrive
Review: I realize that companies run out of an item and have to restock, but today is Feb 25th, I ordered this item on Jan. 31st, and I still have not received my Lexmark Black cartridge. I really can't rate the product because I have not received it. I hope the company will notify me and let me know when it is going to be shipped. I received my color cartridge within a few days, ordered on the same date as this order.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent- but could be better
Review: I use this & the color 12A1980 for former a Compaq IJ300 now a Compaq IJ750. My complaint on this ink-it runs too much for no reason. I just printed 3 pages-2 of the 3 pages the ink ran in spots. I do not appreciate this, especially when I am printing on really good paper.
Rating:
Summary: Decent- but could be better
Review: I use this & the color 12A1980 for former a Compaq IJ300 now a Compaq IJ750. My complaint on this ink-it runs too much for no reason. I just printed 3 pages-2 of the 3 pages the ink ran in spots. I do not appreciate this, especially when I am printing on really good paper.
Rating: 
Summary: Great printing quality
Review: I used this ink on my Compaq IJ900 for three years, then bought a new printer (Lexmark Z65). I bought a Lexmark because I am so impressed with the printing quality of the Compaqs and Lexmarks. I've now gotten the IJ900 set up for my husband and opened a black ink cartridge that has been sealed in its wrapper for over a year--works perfect! I soaked the color cartridge, that had been sitting open in the old printer for over a year, in water for a few minutes, dried it, then reinstalled it and it all works great. Yes, the cartridges are expensive, but you pay for what you get. Each time you buy a new cartridge you are getting a new printer head, which is why the print is so crisp and clear. I've seen the output from other printers and I'm not impressed. To me, that's a waste of ink--to not have a great looking print. I use refill kits two or three times for each cartridge with no problem, then replace the cartridge. I do use refill inks that are specific for the printer, not generic kits. All in all, I think these cartridges (this black and the 12A1980--Color) work great! I've also had no smear problems and use everything from cheap paper to glossy photo paper to index cards. I make my own Christmas and greeting cards and they all turn out great and with no smearing.
Rating:
Summary: try soaking your cartridges before buying new
Review: I was ready to buy new after I opened new packages of both a color (15M0120) and a black cartridge and the color barely printed and the black not at all. I thought I'd read the reviews before buying and was heartened to see so many others with the same problem. These things dry in the package!! I soaked both cartriges in about 1/4-1/2 inch cold water for 5 minutes, and dried them well. Popped them in and WOW--they work perfectly! Thanks so much to the reviewer below who suggested this method.
Rating:
Summary: This company has not let me know anything about my order
Review: I'm still waiting for my order from printer supplies r us, ordered Jan 31st. I ordered from My Home Office source on the same order form (excellent service and the ink works great), and received my Lexmark Inkjet color cartridge within days from my order. Today is Feb. 25th and I still have not received nor heard from printer supplies r us about my order.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Alright
Review: I've bought many of these cartridges and I what I can say about them is that they are ok. They don't last very long and sometimes it doesn't print even though the screen shows that the cartridge is full. For my printer, this is the only black ink that I could buy so, I'll have to get used to it. If the prices were cheaper, my review of the product may have been better. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: It does the job.
Review: Ink is wet and that's the biggest drawback. Nevertheless, I'm reasonably satisfied with the black Lexmark Ink Jet Cartridge -- except for the ... price and the damp smudges that occasionally occur in the process of paper being expelled from my printer. Although the finished product is not up to laser quality, it is sharp, dark, and presentable when dry. Now, how about increasing the volume of the cartridge and reducing the cost?
Rating: 
Summary: more uses...
Review: it can also be used with the Lexmark Z11 inkjet printer
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