Opinion on Canon Pixma MP600 printer ?

[mgreene]

Hello to the board....

I currently use an HP 672C Deskjet and when it works and cooperates, it does "ok."

But it does have its own dedicated (small) hairdryer which supplies the needed warm air to warm up its insides before I print anything. And of late it wants to lock up and not work until I threaten to inflict mayhem , , , and then it'll work. Plus the crispness of the printing for my classwork/homework/projects/notes just isn't at the geek level I like it to be and I really don't want to $pring for a full-blown color laserjet.

So . . . I have always used HP and have no clue about Canon products.

The Pixma MP600 does have the 3 functions I want, B&W and color printing, scanning and copying. My pc will send faxes so I don't need that function. BUT . . . there are 5 - yikes! - cartridges/tanks. It does have a nice, small footprint though.

C|NET gave it a review of 7.9 with an average user rating of 8.0.

Opinions???? Other choices ??

I do want to replace what I have , , and right now printing that is "crisper" is the main thing with a good scanner running second and if it copies well , then that's just gravy on the biscuit.

Thanks for the input.


Merri

[glc]

Entry level color lasers may be cheaper than you think. Can you justify $300?

[mgreene]

Entry level color lasers may be cheaper than you think. Can you justify $300?

Unfortunately, not really. . . the far-side geek in me says 'yep, no problem' , but the practical side says 'no' . . .

:o


Merri

[XenaWP]

I've been using a Canon printer for a few years. Love it. The only other printer I'd consider buying is an Epson.

The individual tanks are cheaper to replace than multicolor ones, provide sharper printing (if calibrated properly) and more saturated colors.

[glc]

Okay - my experience on inkjet multifunctions in *general* is as follows:

Canon: Lowest ink costs per page. Print quality average. Scanner section very slow. Long term reliability average. Average software.

HP: Average ink costs. Tricolor cartridges can drive up the costs if you consistently run them out of one color quickly. Print quality, scanner sections and reliability very good. Software can be a royal pain.

Epson: Best print quality, high ink costs in spite of separate color cartridges. Excellent scanners. Reliability below average. Very good software.

Lexmark: Decent print quality, high ink costs, average scanners, lousy software, average reliability.

My personal choice: HP, in spite of its documented disadvantages.

[mgreene]

Hello again . . . . :)

Even tho this is welllll after the fact . . I have been using my Canon Pixma for , I guess , a year now , , , and I love it , love it , love it !!

I can blow thru some cartridges when printing a lot of color-coded notes and/or homework , but have found a place locally that stocks the generic cartridge equivalent with a great price , so that has worked out very well.

I especially like the auto duplex function even if you do have to turn it on when you want to apply it. And the scanner works great !!

Just an update and FYI.

Thanks so much for your input.


Merri

[bd1886]

Another vote for Canon here. I have a MP620 and it functions flawlessly. Intuitive and easy configuration. Speed isn't the fastest out there but...it isn't slow either. Dependable. Basing this on it's predecessor (the MP610) as this model is only a month on the market. The cartridges have the "chip". Best way around this is to have two sets going and refill before empty. Can't say too much bad about the HP 6210 (that I still have and use with an XP box) except it has a few software bumps. Fry's has the MP610 on sale now for $80.00 after rebates. Screaming deal!

[Khalil]

I only sell Canon and Epson, used to sell them all but found that Canon has the best support then Epson.
I have sold hundreds of these Pixma MP series Canons and never had one come back.
I think Epson print quality is a bit better but their support is not as good as Canon.

[bd1886]

Khalil, That seems to be a common consensus (with a huge majority of people who service and sell copiers)? I've heard it again and again. Surprising how much quality and features you can get for the prices of these copiers. Smooth working stuff.

[mplsmelo]

See my post "Kodak Printer---Amazing" .http://www.pcmech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202706

I've been an Epson guy for ten years and tried out a couple canons but this Kodak really blew me away. For $59 it can't be beat (imho).

Just for the record: HP's cartridges are ranked as "the" or one of the most expensive in the industry because they have the print head on the cartridge. They do not, as far as I know, have a generic equivalent available. Epson is the cheapest if you use the generics which are widely available online. I paid about $3 for black and $4 for color. Lexmark ink is very expensive while Canon is about average and generics are available.

The downside to Epson is that if the printer isn't used on an almost daily basis the cartridge heads have to be cleaned. This uses ink, is time consuming and has turned me off to Epson in general. I can't tell you how many sheets of photo paper I've wasted because the heads needed cleaning. Perhaps their newer offerings have corrected this.

[glc]

The new line of HP's have separate tanks and heads now.

[IronMentality]

If the new HP's have separate tanks and heads don't rule them out. Otherwise in my opinion they suck up ink really fast (and boy are those replacement cartridges expensive).

Otherwise for Inkjet printing you can't go wrong with Canon as well. I loved my MP780 and am a fan of my current MP830.