Frequently Asked Questions

What does black printing on our Dell 1230 really cost per page?

Divide the $42.60 price by the 1,500-page rating and you get about 2.84 cents per page. That is a high per-page figure by any measure — a large departmental laser runs at a fraction of it — and it is simply what a small cartridge in a compact machine like the 1230 costs to run. This cartridge makes sense where the printer's black workload is small and steady, not where pages pour out all day.

Why is the rating only 1,500 pages?

Because the 330-3012 is physically a small cartridge for a small printer. The Dell 1230 was built as a compact color laser for light duty, and its black unit holds a matching amount of toner. A 1,500-page rating is the honest consequence of that size — there is no larger black option hiding behind this listing, and the rating is stated plainly so you can plan around it.

Which printers does this cartridge serve?

The 330-3012 is the black cartridge behind this Dell 1230 listing, and the same unit also serves the Dell Color Laser 1235c. Ordering against the part number rather than the printer name is the reliable habit here: if 330-3012 is the number on your old cartridge or your paperwork, this is the replacement, whichever of those two machines it is going into.

Is this an original Dell cartridge?

It is not. This is a third-party compatible 330-3012, made to the specification the Dell 1230's black slot works with. Everything quoted on this page — the $42.60 price, the 1,500-page yield, the warranty and returns cover — describes this compatible cartridge, not a Dell-branded one.

Our black fades long before the colors do. Is that normal?

Yes, and it is the usual pattern on a small color laser: most office documents are overwhelmingly black text, so the black cartridge empties first while the colors sit nearly full. Nothing about it suggests a fault. It is also why the black is sold on its own — you replace the 330-3012 when it fades and leave the color cartridges in place.

What protection do we get with this purchase?

The cartridge carries a 1-year warranty together with 1-year free returns, so an early failure is our problem to take back, not yours to absorb. Details are on our shipping & returns page; support is available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST, and stock ships from warehouses in IL, PA, GA or CA.

About This Dell 1230 Black Cartridge (330-3012)

A single compatible black toner cartridge for the Dell 1230, identified by part number 330-3012 and rated at up to 1,500 pages, priced at $42.60. It suits a small color laser doing light black work, ships from IL, PA, GA or CA, and is covered by a 1-year warranty with 1-year free returns. More of the range is on our Dell page.