Price of Printer or Price of Cartridge?

The Lexmark Z1300 Inkjet Printer is very attractive because of price, and quality, however, the downfalls are fairly every mentioned when comparing qualities versus quantities. The good things about this printer is great in number when you look at the quality and speed of the printer, let alone the price (which normally averages between $18-$40). However there are two main problems that I have noticed with this printer; one is the price of replacement cartridges, and the other is the software that comes with it.
The quality of the items that are printed is above average; making pictures look as if they were reoccurring, and with papers coming out just as they appear on the screen. However, the quantity that this printer is able to reproduce is questionable. I can normally print about 20 pages of text, and 15 photos before I need to replace the cartridges. Whenever I do have to replace the cartridges they average around the same as the original price of the printer itself. Therefore it makes it difficult to purchase something that the necessities of the product is comparable to the original product in itself. Basically why would you buy an apple if you could buy the tree for the same if not lower price.
Another problem that I seem to run into quite a bit is it somehow becomes disconnected from my computer. It is not that the hookups are not connected, it is that the software that came with it is questionable. I have had to replace the software 4 times in the last 5 months. Anytime that it occurs a message will come up on the screen and let me know that communication is not available. The only way to fix it is to uninstall the printer and once again reinstall it. That takes extra time that is not worth the trouble. All in all for the price it is a descent printer, but I would definitely recommended this printer for a short term relationship, nothing long term.