Review: Inside The CC641WN HP 60 XL – 60XL Black Ink Cartridge (Cracked Open)

The HP 60XL Black Ink Cartridge – A “Full” Cartridge.

There are two (2) versions of the HP 60 black inkjet print cartridge.  The only difference in the two is the amount of ink they each contain, that is it  – the HP 60 black is rated at 200 pages, and the The HP 60XL is rated at 600 pages.  But which one is a better value?  Depends on how much you print. Take a look inside the HP 60, look here.

Contains hefty amount of ink:

The HP 60XL black inkjet print cartridge boasts a whopping 600 printed pages estimate.  These estimates are almost always overly exaggerated.  This cartridge is also easily refilled with kits from $12.99, or compatibles (professionally refilled) can be purchased around $20-$25.  The HP original cartridge (with pigment ink) will run around $35.00 plus.  A good cartridge, and owners of printers that can use it – should.

Removing the top of the HP 60XL ink cartridge reveals the inside of the cartridge. No refill deterrent ink chambers here, this is a "full" cartridge with a complete sponge.

Specifications:

Color: Black
Part Number: (CC641WN) – HP 60XL
Ink Type: Pigment based ink
Page Yield: 600 pages*

Ink Drop Size: 13.8pl

Retail price: $34.99
Street price: $29.99

* that 600 page estimate is from HP and based on 5% coverage (see what 5% coverage really looks like) – needless to say, manufacturer estimates are on the “high side.”

This cartridge is often paired with the HP 60, and 60XL tri-color inkjet print (color) cartridge which we cracked open here.

The sponge fills the entire HP 60XL, 60 XL ink cartridge.

Cartridge Contacts

These solder points, or contacts help make up the print head.  Printers that use these types of cartridges do not have an internal print head – rather the print head is located on the cartridges themselves.  If print quality declines to the point where the cartridge is no longer usable, simply try another cartridge (it’s like getting a new printer).  If your cartridge cannot be recognized, give the contacts a quick clean with a damp cloth, or other device and try again.  If the contacts are harmed, the cartridge may not function at all.

Contacts on the cartridge - the print head is on the physical cartridge in this design.

The Print Head:

Unlike Epson, which makes the printhead part of the printer, Hewlett Packard (HP) puts the print head technology on the physical cartridge (for 80% of their consumer printers).  This means every time you buy a new cartridge, it’s like getting a new print head.  This is why these type of HP printers (that use this cartridge style) last forever in our opinion.  As long as the mechanics of the printer keep working it will last forever since the print head can simply be repalced by installing a new cartridge into the printer.  Not all HP printers and cartridges use this style (print head on the cartridge) of build, but a large majority of the ones you will find at Wal-Mart, Target, and other discount retailers use these cartridges.

Notice the 2D UPC code on the print head ribbon. They are actually in three places on the cartridge – the top label, the print head, and on the front facing side (expiration).

Printhead of the HP 60XL, 60 XL ink cartridge.

For Refillers:

Refilling is easy if you know where to fill.  There are five (5) holes in the cartridge lid.  As you can see from the other images, there is black ink around all five (5) of the holes. We suggest using the top most hole since it is closer to where the ink will exit the cartridge. Refill kits can be a hassle, but are worth it if you are on a tight budget and have patience.  There is no need to drill into this cartridge to refill – the holes are already there.

No need to drill any holes, they are already there.

Refill this cartridge in any of the five (5) holes under the identification sticker.

Is this an embedded expiration date?

Yet another 2D UPC code on the outside front of the cartridge.  So that is 3 total on a single cartridge.  If (HP) Hewlett Packard went to the trouble of putting them on there, you can bet they are there for a reason.  HP claims there is no built-in “self-destruct” expiration date for their cartridges.  Read more about it here…

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01764161&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

Expiration date on the HP 60XL black inkjet print cartridge?

HP 60 And HP 60XL Compared:

There really is no comparison.  The HP 60 cartridge (on the left), or the “value” cartridge as HP refers to it has two things wrong with it.  First, the sponge is one-sixth the size as the 60XL, and it is contained in a plastic divide to deter refillers.  Second, you can refill it, but look at what little ink the mini-sponge will take.  The HP 60 cartridge will require constant attention to maintain it’s “full” status.

The HP 60 retails for $14.99, and the HP 60XL retails for around $33.99.  If you print more than 50 pages per month, do yourself a favor and stick with the XL cartridges – they have more ink and are more re-fillable.

The HP 60 cartridge on the left is no value, that is for sure. The sponge is one-sixth the size as the larger HP 60XL inkjet print cartridge.

Hewlett Packard HP 60 (60XL) Series Ink Cartridges Work In The Following HP Inkjet Printers
Deskjet Series		Photosmart Series
DeskJet D1660 Deskjet D2500 Deskjet D2530 Deskjet D2560 Deskjet D2660 Deskjet F42 Deskjet F4200 Deskjet F4210 Deskjet F4230 Deskjet F4235 Deskjet F4240	Deskjet F4250 Deskjet F4272 Deskjet F4273 Deskjet F4274 Deskjet F4275 Deskjet F4280 DeskJet F4283 Deskjet F4288 Deskjet F4292 Deskjet F4293 DeskJet F4480	PhotoSmart C4640 PhotoSmart C4650 PhotoSmart C4680 PhotoSmart C4740 PhotoSmart C4750 PhotoSmart C4780 PhotoSmart C4795

Hewlett Packard (HP) 60XL ink cartridge page estimates:

http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/searchResults.html?cCode=us,st=cartridge,ss=60

Hewlett Packard (HP) 60XL ink cartridge specifications:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06c/A10-12771-64199-69422-69422-3564563-3564739-3564756.html

Hewlett Packard HP 60XL Inkjet Print Cartridge Pricing:

HP 60, 60XL, XL ink cartridges.

Review: Inside The HP 60 Black CC640WN Ink Cartridge (Cracked Open)

A look inside the Hewlett Packard (HP) 60 black ink cartridge – CC640W

Look here for a peek inside the HP 60XL black inkjet print cartridge.

There is not much good about this cartridge.  HP uses words like “value” and “standard” to describe their HP 60 series inkjet cartridges, but the real value is in getting rid of any printer that use these cartridges.  These black and color cartridges are an insult.  There are two different versions of each cartridge, the “standard” or half-full 60 series, and the “full” HP 60 XL series.  The cartridge we have opened here is the HP 60 standard cartridge.

Removing the cover reveals “sponge island”

Apparently HP felt the need to build in an ink containment section inside the HP 60 ink cartridge.  The sponge inside the cartridge is about the size of two sugar-cubes stacked on top of each other.  This cartridge is not even half full of ink!  Up to 80% of this cartridge is air-space.

Inside the HP 60 black ink cartridge:

Looks like “sponge island” inside the cartridge.  The HP 60 ink cartridge could take a bunch more ink, however Hewlett Packard (HP) has designed this cartridge to start out about 80% empty – there is no (easy) way to tell the amount of ink in the sponge.  At $15.00 retail for this cartridge, heavy printing can get expensive very quickly.

Paying $10.00 to refill this cartridge? Think again. A very small area to refill. This cartridge will only accept about 5ml of ink.

Specifications:

• Color: Black
• Part Number: CC640WN, HP 60
• Ink Type: Dye based ink
• Page Yield: 200 pages*
• Storage temp: 59 to 90° F
• Retail price: $14.99
• Street price: $14.53

* that 200 page estimate is from HP and based on 5% coverage (see what 5% coverage really looks like) – needless to say, manufacturer estimates are on the “high side.”

This cartridge is often paired with the HP 60 tri-color (color) cartridge which we cracked open here.

For Refillers:

Refilling is easy if you know where to drill.  There are five (5) holes in the cartridge lid, however only one goes into the sponge and ink containment section.  This cartridge is crazy.

The print head:

Unlike Epson, which makes the printhead part of the printer, Hewlett Packard (HP) puts the print head technology on the cartridge (for most of their consumer printers).  This means every time you buy a new cartridge, it’s like getting a new printer.  This is why these type of HP printers (that use this cartridge style) last forever in our opinion.  As long as the mechanics of the printer keep working it will last forever since the print head can simply be repalced by installing a new cartridge into the printer.  Not all HP printers and cartridges use this style (print head on the cartridge) of build, but a large majority of the ones you will find at Wal-Mart, Target, and other discount retailers use these cartridges.

Notice the 2D UPC code on the print head ribbon.

The HP 60, 60XL, XL cartridges will work with the following Deskjet and Photosmart inkjet printers.

Hewlett Packard HP 60 (60XL) Series Ink Cartridges Work In The Following HP Inkjet Printers
Deskjet Series		Photosmart Series
DeskJet D1660 Deskjet D2500 Deskjet D2530 Deskjet D2560 Deskjet D2660 Deskjet F42 Deskjet F4200 Deskjet F4210 Deskjet F4230 Deskjet F4235 Deskjet F4240	Deskjet F4250 Deskjet F4272 Deskjet F4273 Deskjet F4274 Deskjet F4275 Deskjet F4280 DeskJet F4283 Deskjet F4288 Deskjet F4292 Deskjet F4293 DeskJet F4480	PhotoSmart C4640 PhotoSmart C4650 PhotoSmart C4680 PhotoSmart C4740 PhotoSmart C4750 PhotoSmart C4780 PhotoSmart C4795

Compared to the HP 60XL Black Inkjet Print Cartridge:

The HP 60 cartridge compared to the HP 60XL black inkjet print cartridge.

Hewlett Packard (HP) 60 ink cartridge page estimates:

http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/us/en/DJD2500/index.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Hewlett Packard (HP) 60 ink cartridge specifications:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF17a/A10-12771-64199-69422-69422-3564563.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Hewlett Packard HP 60 Pricing:

HP 60, 60XL, XL ink cartridges.