I *think* maybe the 860 is wireless?? I don't need wireless or (or
networking for that matter) so the 850 would be fine. I have a ip4000
printer. Maybe it's me, but I've never been thrilled with the print
quality. It was my first Canon printer. Had HPs before that. Thanks for
the tip on the mp530. What does the difference in the size of the print
head mean to print quality? Canon doesn't show this AIO on their line up
page of Office AIOs. Glad to find another option. Could you point me to
the information that says both the 530 and 850 do CD printing? I'm not
finding it. Cost of consumables is certainly an issue, but which, of the
three I mentioned, would have the best print quality? A fax component is
what's driving this purchase but since I'm going to replace my current
printer and scanner, I need to focus on the quality of the printer and
scanner too.
I'm leaning towards the HP 8500 but sure love the look of the Canon
850...real technical isn't it? <g>
It's your dime, if you want the mx850, by all means get the mx850.
But if you don't like the print quality of the ip4000, there is NO
change in text quality between the ip4000 and the mp830. No change
what so ever. Given the mx850 uses the same ink and a similar
printhead, I expect the mx850 to be the same.
The mp530 has the same text printhead size as the ip4000. This will
affect the speed at which the printer prints. IIRC the ip4000 and
mp530 have 320 nozzles. Assuming 600dpi that's about 1/2 inch printed
per stroke. The mx850 like the mp830 have 512 which is over 5/6 an
inch per stroke. I believe the mx860 switched to the smaller size as
well. This also means more nozzles fired per page, so the printhead
will burn out sooner, though I can't say how much sooner. A given
printhead is rated for about 10 cartridge changes or so, but reality
is higher. I've personally seen about 15, others have seen 20+. But
given the mp530 is 50% less, and given the live isn't reduced by 50%,
I'd consider it. If the price difference was only $20, I'd get the
bigger head.
The mp530 is an older model, and isn't on the current lineup. It's
the AIO version of the ip4200, where the mp830 is the aio version of
the ip4300.
The mx700 can be had cheaply. It's identical to your ip4000 except
newer ink and no auto duplex, and no cd printing.
The mx860 is the next generation, which uses cartridges smaller than
the ip4000 with no real improvement to the ml/page ratio. The mx850
will cost a tad more to print using OEM ink, like 2.5c/page to
3c.page, where the mx860 will cost even more, I'd guess 3.5c/page. If
you use aftermarket ink, there is no chip resetter for the mx860.
Afermarket ink will drive this cost down which is an option best on
the mp530/mx850.
I don't really use the fax feature of mine, I scan to PDF, then print
to fax.
CD printing is not a feature enabled in the united states. But it's
an option if you buy a tray off e-bay and enable the feature.
http://damnprinter.com/
Near as I'm aware, the options for CD printing on HP AIOs are the
D5460 and C5580 and neither offer sheet feeders.
But again, if you're not pleased with the quality of the ip4000, canon
has not made any improvements on text. I'm pleased with the quality,
600 dpi and decent enough to do barcodes.
Wireless is handy, but the mx850 at least offers network, as in you
can hook it up to your network hub. Not as cool as wireless but
placement is more liberal than USB.