[carmenoax]

I recently bought a new iMac with Intel, OS 10.4.9. Unfortunately, my scanner is not compatible and my printer (HP 810C), though listed as compatible, will not work with either GIMP or version 3.3 software.
I believe I would like a multifunction printer/scanner, with copier if necessary but not fax, as they seem to offer reasonable quality with both functions, take up little space and are more economical than two separate units. Cost is a consideration here; would like to stay around US$100.
But which unit to buy? I have always had good experience with HP, in spite of their new policy of no help, and all bad experience with Epson. Have not tried any other brands.
HP has so many models that it is confusing. Also, I dont want to buy something that will be obsolete or just not work a few months from now - especially if I should upgrade to Leopard.
Can someone help me with advice in this regard? Thank you!
Carmen

[Randy_B_Singer]

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I believe I would like a multifunction printer/scanner, with copier if necessary but not fax, as they seem to offer reasonable quality with both functions, take up little space and are more economical than two separate units. Cost is a consideration here; would like to stay around US$100.

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Black and white or color? Your price range may be a little unrealistic.
I personally like Brother for laser-based multi's:
http://www.brother-usa.com/MFC/BWMonochromeLaser[u]Multifunction/

and Canon for color inkjet based multi's:
http://www.usa.canon...fcategoryid=123
I like Brother for their value, and I like Canon for their great service and support.

[Skybolt]

Do you know if the Canons can print wirelessly? My husband currently has a pc connected to the airport base station, and we have a Brother MFC attached. I print wirelessly to the Brother, but it is dying and we need a new machine. We are sold on Canons, but wondering if I can use it wirelessly. Sure don't want to have to connect and disconnect every time one of us wants to print.
Thanks for any info!

[carmenoax]

Thanks for info. My biggest concern is compatibility/functionality, as I don't want to buy something that will not operate with OS updates/upgrades. As my iMac is 10.4.9 and Leopard 10.5 is due out in October, what RELIABLE information is there about this?
Price range should have said US$100-200 and I want color inkjet.

[Randy_B_Singer]

There is no reliable information for an OS that has not yet been released.
If you are concerned with print drivers breaking with an OS upgrade, and dealing with a company that works to quickly get an updated driver out, HP, since the advent of OS X, has had the worst record with this.
Canon and Brother both have done a really good job of providing Mac drivers and updating them ASAP when needed.
Canon doesn't provide Mac drivers for all of their models, but for the models that they do provide drivers for, their support has been excellent.

[carmenoax]

Based on your very helpful comments, I am now tentatively looking at Canon MP450 and 460 and Brother DCP330c. Do you have any recommendations re these - or perhaps other - models?

[Randy_B_Singer]

I don't have experience with those models in particular. I have a Canon Pixma MP750 sitting right here next to me. I got it on sale for just $100. It was a huge steal.
If you are looking at a multi-function inkjet, I would go with a Canon over a Brother. (Or a Brother over a Canon if you are considering one that is laser-based.) I would try out any model that you are considering at a local store like Staples or Office Depot.
Don't go too cheap. While Brother equipment tends to be a fantastic buy, at the very bottom of their price range things have tended to be junk in the past. And low-end inkjet engines (from anyone) tend to be disappointing.

[lanceh5]

About 4 months ago I got a Cannon MP 530 for $150. I have spent over $100 on ink cartridges since then. I now wish I had bought a Kodak multifunction which would cost about $300 but the ink is much cheaper. Kodak ink is abut half the price of Cannon's. The cost of ink is a bigger factor than I realized.
I am considering selling the Cannon on eBay and getting a Kodak.

[Randy_B_Singer]

After doing some digging, near as I can tell, the MP530 uses the same ink cartridges as the MP500:
I use third party ink cartridges from Meritline in my Canon. They are indistinguishable from OEM, but they are a fraction of the price.
See:
http://www.meritline...cartridges.html

You can replace all four of the ink cartridges in your MP530 currently for less than $10.
http://www.meritline...cartridges.html

[carmenoax]

Looking at ink cartridges you recommend, those for MP460 remanufactured or OEM are same price or more than direct from Canon - very expensive. Those for your model MP750, however, are fantastically low. If I can find an MP750 at listed price of around US$130 - vs listed price of US$110 for MP460 - the long range savings would be considerable.
I am also interested in the separate color cartridges, though I have never used them. I have always had the problem of the yellow ink running out well before the others in the combined cartridge, thus losing true color while still having lots of red/blue tone prints - a big waste of $ on cartridges.
Am I correct in thinking that if I should begin to run out of one color ink so that image colors are affected, I can just change that color cartridge and recover true tones? Without affecting other tones? In other words, maybe plan on rwo yellow ink cartridges for every one cyan and magenta, with no wasted inks? If so, that is a big plus, as most of images I print tend to be in colors that contain a lot of yellow.
AHH - but checking compatibility I see it goes only to OS10.3.x according to specs. Is that right or is update to 10.4.10 available????????

[Trainwreck]

I have a Canon Pixma MP830 (copier,scanner,fax) and it works flawlessly with my Mac. Cost is alittle on the high side. $350 Cdn. Consumer reports has reviewed multifunction printers recently too and gives the Pixma high marks....

[Randy_B_Singer]

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Am I correct in thinking that if I should begin to run out of one color ink so that image colors are affected, I can just change that color cartridge and recover true tones? Without affecting other tones? In other words, maybe plan on rwo yellow ink cartridges for every one cyan and magenta, with no wasted inks? If so, that is a big plus, as most of images I print tend to be in colors that contain a lot of yellow.

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If you are asking if there are separate color cartridges for the MP750, and if they can be changed out independantly, the answers are "yes" and "yes."
In fact, the MP750 even has two separate black cartridges, a big one for printing text and a smaller one for printing graphics. All five are dead easy to change out.

[carmenoax]

Sorry to ask so many stupid questions but you seem to know so much and I so little.
I note that the ink cartridges offered on meritline are "without chip". To what does that refer, is it something necessary with each cartridge, every x number of changes, or is it part of the printer? I remember a person complaining that he could never use his Canon bubbble jet because he needed to replace the "holder" or whatever it is called and that even when he found what was supposedly the necessary piece, the printer would not work. I definitely do not want to get into that problem.
Also, what about compatibility of MP750 with OS 10.4.10 - and other models suggested????
Many thanks.

[Randy_B_Singer]

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Sorry to ask so many stupid questions but you seem to know so much and I so little.

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There are no stupid questions. And asking questions is what this forum is for, and answering them is what I'm here for. 8-{)

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I note that the ink cartridges offered on meritline are "without chip". To what does that refer, is it something necessary with each cartridge, every x number of changes, or is it part of the printer? I remember a person complaining that he could never use his Canon bubbble jet because he needed to replace the "holder" or whatever it is called and that even when he found what was supposedly the necessary piece, the printer would not work. I definitely do not want to get into that problem.

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I'm not sure. I know that some Epson printers have a chip in the cartridge that the cartridge won't work without. This keeps third-party manufacturers from making replacements unless they manufacture their own chip, or unless they provide a way to transfer the chip from your old cartridge to theirs.
I've also seen cartridges that have chips in them just to show the ink level in the cartridge on the printer's control panel. If you use a cartridge without one of these chips, the cartridge will work fine, but it will always show up as empty in the control panel.
I suggest that you contact Meritline and ask them what is up with that before you purchase a Canon printer that requires chipped cartridges.

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Also, what about compatibility of MP750 with OS 10.4.10 - and other models suggested????

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I'm not sure what you are asking, exactly. The MP750 works fine with OS X 10.4.10. Usually a printer driver doesn't break with an incremental update to the OS. (Okay, some HP's have been known to break with some incremental updates. And HP hasn't been great about getting a new driver out right away.) In fact, most printer drivers haven't broken with a major upgrade to the OS, though many folks have found that upon upgrading that they need to uninstall, and then reinstall, their printer driver to have their printer work.