I have 2 printers - an Epson R800 that I use for quality printing (mostly photos), in this I always use Epson inks.
I've also got a HP Deskjet D1470 that cost £17 new(!), that I use for stuff where quality doesn't matter, this I use with remanufactured cartridges.
Most printer manufacturers subsidise the price of their printers with the price of their cartridges, which it's east to get upset about, but I look it at like this: if they didn't, an "average" user would probably end up paying about the same in the long run (more expensive printers but cheaper inks). As far as photos go I'm a less-than-average user, so it probably actually costs me less this way. If you're a high-volumer printer though, then sure, this way costs you more.
A couple of points also worth mentioning: Some printer manufacturers (incl. HP) include the print head as part of the cartridge, so their cartridges are always going to be more expensive. Also, although new printers include ink cartridges, these are sometimes just "trial" ones with a small amount of ink in.
I've also got a HP Deskjet D1470 that cost £17 new(!), that I use for stuff where quality doesn't matter, this I use with remanufactured cartridges.
Most printer manufacturers subsidise the price of their printers with the price of their cartridges, which it's east to get upset about, but I look it at like this: if they didn't, an "average" user would probably end up paying about the same in the long run (more expensive printers but cheaper inks). As far as photos go I'm a less-than-average user, so it probably actually costs me less this way. If you're a high-volumer printer though, then sure, this way costs you more.
A couple of points also worth mentioning: Some printer manufacturers (incl. HP) include the print head as part of the cartridge, so their cartridges are always going to be more expensive. Also, although new printers include ink cartridges, these are sometimes just "trial" ones with a small amount of ink in.