cheaper Canon all-in-ones?

[Brendan R. Wehrung]

I just bought a new computer and at some point plan to upgrade it to
about-to-arrive Windows Vista. It appeaars that my present Lexmark Z65
won't have a Vista driver written for it so I'm shopping for a printer I
can get a deal on with the computer purchase. I want it for general use
rather than photo printing.

What seems to be on offer is the Canon MP-160 ($45 after rebate on printer
and extra black and color carts) or Canon MP-600 ($150 after rebate on
printer and 2 black carts). The MP-600 is touted as having much better
print quality and does have seperate ink tanks, but customer reviews on the
web seen to indicate that its scanning isn't so great. Print quality
seems pretty good, as I'd expect from a Canon.

From a cost standpoint the MP-160 is a clear winner, and cost-per-page
isn't bad either until one color of the tri-color cartidge runs out.
Perhaps I should buy it until something better comes along.

I don't have any experinece with Canon printer pricing and how they offer
sales. I'll be using my Lexmark for the next 6 months (until I use up my
current cart stock) since I don't plan to convert to Vista until Microsoft
squashed all their new bugs so there's no hurry if Canon is known for
deals like this without having to buy a computer to get them.

Brendan

Ps Micro Center, where I bought the computer, has palette loads of MP-160
boxes at the front of the store for $70 list (formerly $90) so I'd guess
it's about to be a blandishment or giveaway for those buying a Windows
vista-loaded computer after Jan. 30th.

 

[Dan G]

It's not necessary to multi-post.

The reason the 160 is cheap is because they will charge you through the nose
for ink carts.

 

[Brendan R. Wehrung]

It's not necessary to multi-post.

I thought I was asking slightly different questions. I'll ask another:
there's a school of thought that all-in-ones are too much of a compromise,
that I should only buy seperate printers and scanners.

If I were to do that (because i need to replace the functionality of what
I use now that won't work under Vista) what two pieces of Canon equipment
would be the same as or better than the MP 600 in quality? I could spend
hundreds more for top of the line, but I can't afford that and probably
don't need it. I have a Lexmark Z65 printer and Visioneer 7100 scanner now
that need to be replaced when I make the conversion to Vista.

Brendan

 

[Michael Grey]

The IP4300 (same printer as the MP600) $99 or $79 on the Canon website and a
LIDE 70 scanner for $79 at Staples.

 

[measekite]

I thought I was asking slightly different questions. I'll ask another:
there's a school of thought that all-in-ones are too much of a compromise,
that I should only buy seperate printers and scanners.

Absolutely. Here are the advantages


You can get best of breed. A Canon IP4300 and a 4000 series Epson scanner

And if you do large photos you can get a wide format printer


When one goes south you do not have to junk the entire machine.

The 2 advantgages of a MFP is


Space if that is an absolute necessity

If you get an expensive model you get an automatic document sheet
feeder. An expensive add on with the separates.

 

[Brendan R. Wehrung]

The IP4300 (same printer as the MP600) $99 or $79 on the Canon website and a
LIDE 70 scanner for $79 at Staples.

Thank you, that's exactly the answer i wanted. I had a long talk with a
Canon tech support rep today, and while he works for the company he was
forthcoming and helpful,saying that print quality was very good and a scan
he did for me looked fine. (They apparently ahve a shelf full of their
devices in the room and can go get one for in-use question.

Would you agree about quality for the stand-along versions? It seems that
what's in the all-in-ones isn't all that different from standalones on a
hardware basis.

The only worrisome issue he brought up was that Lexmark (my current
printer) and Canon print drivers can't live on the same computer because
the Lexmark spooler tries to take precedence.

Brendan

 

[Michael Grey]

Both will exceed your expectations.

Thank you, that's exactly the answer i wanted. I had a long talk with a
Canon tech support rep today, and while he works for the company he was
forthcoming and helpful,saying that print quality was very good and a scan
he did for me looked fine. (They apparently ahve a shelf full of their
devices in the room and can go get one for in-use question.

Would you agree about quality for the stand-along versions? It seems that
what's in the all-in-ones isn't all that different from standalones on a
hardware basis.

The only worrisome issue he brought up was that Lexmark (my current
printer) and Canon print drivers can't live on the same computer because
the Lexmark spooler tries to take precedence.

Brendan

 

[measekite]

Thank you, that's exactly the answer i wanted. I had a long talk with a
Canon tech support rep today, and while he works for the company he was
forthcoming and helpful,saying that print quality was very good and a scan
he did for me looked fine. (They apparently ahve a shelf full of their
devices in the room and can go get one for in-use question.

Would you agree about quality for the stand-along versions? It seems that
what's in the all-in-ones isn't all that different from standalones on a
hardware basis.

Yes but if one function goes bad you loose the whole thing and they do
cost more. Also you cannot get an Epson scanner and a Canon printer (to
have the best of breed) in a MFP device.

The only worrisome issue he brought up was that Lexmark (my current
printer) and Canon print drivers can't live on the same computer because
the Lexmark spooler tries to take precedence.

Brendan

Lexmark is trash. Get rid of it.

 

[Brendan R. Wehrung]

Yes but if one function goes bad you loose the whole thing and they do
cost more. Also you cannot get an Epson scanner and a Canon printer (to
have the best of breed) in a MFP device.

Lexmark is trash. Get rid of it.

Gee, unexpected words of wisdom.

Brendan