I'm not trying to sway you - I've never had the tanks dry out. The summer months (when my wife and kids are out of school) the printer mostly sits idle. For whatever it's worth, I have one real complaint with this (ET-4550) printer: It's LOUD and slow, not a great combination. It sits about 6 feet from me in my office and if my wife has to print a 100 page PowerPoint for school - it's maddening. Luckily I have an understanding wife that tries to print after I'm done working for the day.