In this review, we’ll put the HP 123B (F6V17AE) Black Ink Cartridge to the test. We’ll explore its performance, print quality, and overall value to determine if it’s a worthwhile investment for your printing needs. I’ve been using this cartridge for the past month in my home office, printing a variety of documents, from everyday paperwork to more demanding photo prints.

Key Features

The HP 123B promises consistent, professional-quality prints with impressive readability and durability. The emphasis on fade-resistant ink and high page yield is a key selling point, particularly for users with high-volume printing requirements. The marketing materials highlight the cartridge’s environmentally conscious design, focusing on easy recycling and reduced waste. Active Ink Balancing is also touted as a feature to ensure consistent color throughout the cartridge’s lifespan, a critical element for maintaining print quality.

Performance & Testing

During my testing phase, I printed a variety of documents and photos. The black text quality was consistently sharp and clear, even at smaller font sizes. The ink showed excellent resistance to smudging, both immediately after printing and after several days. The claim of high page yield proved accurate – I was able to print significantly more pages than initially anticipated. Photo prints, although not the primary focus of a black-only cartridge, exhibited decent quality. There were no noticeable streaks or banding in the black areas of the photographs.

I also experienced the low-ink alert feature. While the alert’s timing was quite accurate, it would be helpful if the alert also included an estimated number of remaining pages, although this is not a standard feature of ink cartridges.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Excellent print quality, high page yield, sharp text, fade-resistant ink, reliable low-ink alerts.
• Cons: Lack of estimated pages remaining in the low-ink alert.

Final Verdict

The HP 123B (F6V17AE) Black Ink Cartridge delivers on its promises. The print quality is exceptional, the page yield is impressive, and the ink’s durability is noteworthy. While the absence of an estimated pages remaining indicator in the low-ink alert is a minor drawback, it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall positive experience. I would confidently recommend this cartridge to anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality black ink solution for their HP printer.