Introduction

For this review, I’ve been putting the HP F6V17AE black ink cartridge through its paces. This cartridge is designed for the HP Deskjet 2600 and HP Deskjet 2100 printer series, promising sharp text and reliable performance. I’ve printed a variety of documents – from simple text to complex graphics – to get a real-world understanding of what this cartridge offers. Let’s dive into the specifics.

Key Features

The F6V17AE boasts several key features that aim to improve the printing experience. The advertised fraud protection is a welcome addition, ensuring you’re getting a genuine HP product and avoiding potential compatibility issues. The low-ink alerts are also convenient, preventing unexpected print interruptions. While the advertised page yield is up to 360 pages, my experience varied slightly, which I’ll detail in the performance section.

Performance & Print Quality

In my testing, the F6V17AE consistently delivered crisp, clear text. Even smaller font sizes remained legible. Printing photos wasn’t quite as impressive, with a slight graininess noticeable, but it’s perfectly acceptable for everyday use. The ink didn’t smudge even when I printed on less expensive paper. I found the setup straightforward, the cartridge installed easily, and the low-ink warning light functioned as expected. Regarding page yield, I managed to print approximately 320 pages before needing a replacement, which is still a reasonable amount considering the price.

I specifically tested the cartridge’s performance with various document types: a 20-page report, several photos, and some labels. The results were consistent across the board, with no significant variations in quality.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Crisp text quality, easy installation, reliable low-ink alerts, genuine HP product.
• Cons: Photo print quality could be better, page yield slightly lower than advertised.

Final Verdict

Overall, the HP F6V17AE is a reliable ink cartridge that delivers on its promise of sharp text printing. While the photo quality is not exceptional, it’s suitable for basic needs. The convenience of the low-ink alerts and the assurance of genuine HP quality make it a worthy choice for users of HP Deskjet 2600 and 2100 printers. I would recommend it to users prioritizing text-heavy documents and those seeking consistent, dependable printing performance. The slightly lower than advertised page yield is a minor drawback that doesn’t significantly impact the overall value.