HP 738M 130-ml Black DesignJet Ink Cartridge (A24VLA)

What this part is

A24VLA is the 130-ml Black in HP’s 738M run — the smaller of the two black tank sizes HP lists for this platform. HP describes the 738M as a cartridge that carries its printhead inside the same unit, so on HP’s account the ink and the nozzles for this one channel are replaced together.

Which printers take this part

HP’s listing for A24VLA covers the T870, XT870, XT950 and XT950 MFP. The T850 and T850 MFP are not on that list — those take the plain 738 range instead. Note that the T870 and XT870 appear on both lists, so if that is your machine, either range is listed as fitting; call us before you switch. A school that knows its printer only by the name on the original quote should check with us before the PO is raised.

• HP DesignJet T870 / XT870
• HP DesignJet XT950 / XT950 MFP

What the black channel does on this platform

Black is the channel that carries text, rules, borders and shadows, and on a poster it is usually the first channel to run out. Because HP describes the 738M as enclosing its printhead, a new A24VLA starts the black channel on fresh nozzles as well as fresh ink. Of the four colors in this set, black is the one worth having in the cupboard before the week you actually need it.

Also available, and easy to confuse

The same 738M Black is also sold in a 300-ml tank, part 498Q0A, which costs less per milliliter — worth it for a school printing steadily through the year. Two other part numbers sit close to this one: 498N4A is the plain 738 130-ml Black, listed for the T850 family, and 498N0A is the HP 739 printhead replacement kit — not ink at all, and not something to discover after the PO has been approved.

Specifications

Questions schools ask about this cartridge

What is the difference between HP 738 and HP 738M?

They are two ranges for overlapping machines. HP lists the 738M for the T870, XT870, XT950 and XT950 MFP; it lists the plain 738 for the T870, XT870, T850 and T850 MFP. So an XT950 needs 738M, a T850 needs 738, and a T870 or XT870 appears on both lists. HP’s copy also describes the 738M cartridge as carrying its printhead internally, which the plain 738 description does not say.

Is there a separate black printhead to buy?

HP describes the 738M cartridge as carrying its printhead internally, so for the black channel this one part covers both. HP does list a 739 printhead kit for the XT950 and we are confirming with HP where that fits before we advise on it.

How much black should a school keep in the cupboard?

We will not put a poster count on a cartridge when HP has not published that figure to us. The practical answer is to read the remaining-ink gauge on the front panel after a busy week and buy from what you see.

Can we order by purchase order?

Yes — school and district POs are accepted online, with no fax machine involved, and supply orders ship free.

Ordering

Free shipping and school POs on every ink order. Genuine HP part, HP part number A24VLA. Not sure which part fits your machine? Call 866-788-7900 or see all genuine HP parts by number.