Inkjet printer advice: Is the Canon i850 that much better than the new i450?

[alexruiz]

Well, here is the deal. We need a new inkjet printer in a few days. A lot of color printing is done. I finally got fed up of our lexmark z31, that is showing its age (slow). Still does a great job printing pictures, but maintenance is as expensive as a retarded kid attending private school.....

Well, the lexmark needs ink again, so I decided it is the right time to ditch it now. I got a Canon i320 for work, and it works reallly nice (colors are more vivid in the lexmark though)

My idea was to get a canon i850 for our main printer, but I just read about Canon's new i450, which is the replacement of the i320. The printer seems really good in paper, as speed is almost twice the i320's (18 ppm BW, 12 ppm color vs 10 ppm black, 7 ppm color) In addition, it also features the 2 picoliters droplets that made the i850 so famous. It uses the same print cartridges than the i320 (BC-24, and I have a ton of those...) Finally, it is twice as heavy, so no more flimsy feeling printer.

Do you think is a good alternative? Should I stick to my original plan of getting the i850? Should I better consider another choice?

Thanks

Alex

 

[AndyHui]

I think you should stick with the i850. Better printer overall.

 

[afzan]

FYI, the i450 has a colour and a black cartridge, the i850 has individual colour tanks, and black...

 

[Budmantom]

I just bought the i450 I think it's a great printer, but I have never used the i850.

 

[Macro2]

--------I think you should stick with the i850. Better printer overall----------

Or a i560.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: AndyHui
I think you should stick with the i850. Better printer overall.

Same here. I've had mine for a while and I love it. It does seem to bug out on me every once in a while though: When I send something to the printer, it turns itself on and warms up....and that's it. It won't actually print anything. For a while I thought the drivers were getting messed up somehow, but I found out just the other day that if I reach over and turn the printer off, then back on, it will start printing. Once it starts doing this consistently, re-installing the drivers seems to cure the problem for a few weeks - and then it happens again.

Nate

 

[theanimala]

Originally posted by: alexruiz
but maintenance is as expensive as a retarded kid attending private school.....

As a retarded kid who paid his own way through private school I am offended...

 

[vailr]

The Canon i550 & i850 are last year's models.
They are replaced with the i560 & i860; both of which use the 4 separate ink cartridges.
The i350 & i450 both use the smaller capacity single black & 3-in-one color cartridges.
Sam'sClub has the Canon i560 for $98.

 

[Macro2]

vailr,
Have you seen a i860 yet?

 

[zephyrprime]

Why not get the i860?

 

[alexruiz]

Thanks for the answers...... I thought about the i450 because of price ($49 list). But I guess you are right, let's get this year's babies..... i860, if I see you be ready!

 

[Tab]

I am using a i860 and it is VERY Good Photo Quality, somewhat louder than the i950 but still very good

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: Tabb
I am using a i860 and it is VERY Good Photo Quality, somewhat louder than the i950 but still very good

are you using photo quality paper?

 

[RossMAN]

I can't decide between the i560, i850 and i950.

Of course I don't wanna pay retail either

 

[Macro2]

RE:"I can't decide between the i560, i850 and i950."

The i850 has been discontinued. Now the i860, 5 cartridges (2 blacks) and a 4x6 paper holder.

The best all around printer is the i560. Cheap to run too. It's the old i850 engine.
The only reason i'd get the i860 or i950 is if I was a die hard photographer.

Costco WHOLESALE sells the i860 w/USB cable..I think it's $129 or $149...can't remember.

SAMs WHOLESALE CLUB sells the i560 w/USB cable for $99 or Staples has it for $99 with rebate WO/USB cable.

I capped WHOLESALE because you didn't want to pay RETAIL...lol

Mac

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Macro2
RE:"I can't decide between the i560, i850 and i950."

The i850 has been discontinued. Now the i860, 5 cartridges (2 blacks) and a 4x6 paper holder.

The best all around printer is the i560. Cheap to run too. It's the old i850 engine.

SAMs WHOLESALE CLUB sells the i560 w/USB cable for $99 or Staples has it for $99 with rebate WO/USB cable.

I capped WHOLESALE because you didn't want to pay RETAIL...lol

Awesome, thanks.

I think I'll wait for some good cheap Staples FAR items use a $30 off $150 coupon and order the i560.

 

[vailr]

Originally posted by: Macro2
RE:"I can't decide between the i560, i850 and i950."

The i850 has been discontinued. Now the i860, 5 cartridges (2 blacks) and a 4x6 paper holder.

This Staples page shows the i860 as having only 4 ink cartidges (same number as the i560 has):

http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/Sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=517905

Staples shows remaining stock on the year-old model i850 also.

 

[draggoon01]

is the only difference between i860 and i560 speed?

 

[Macro2]

RE:"This Staples page shows the i860 as having only 4 ink cartidges (same number as the i560 has):
http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/Sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=517905
Staples shows remaining stock on the year-old model i850 also...."


That Page say the i860 "Advanced 5 color ink system for true-life photos and laser- quality text.". the spec about one black cart. is wrong.

Canons specs....http://www.usa.canon.com/html/conCprProductDetail.jsp?modelid=9387&item=9442&section=10213

I'm looking at the i860 now, let me open it.....ah, yes it has 5 ink cartridges...2 blacks and 3 colors.

__________

I guess you could buy an i850 if you can find one but the i560 is essentially the same printer...


Good luck.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"is the only difference between i860 and i560 speed?"

No, the i860 has two black cartridges and a more sophisticated paper tray where it has a separate slot for 4x6 paper.

Whether or not the two black cartridges help the i860 print better pictures is a mystery to me. Photos from both look fantastic.

I see the i960 is now out as well...$199 at compUSA. 6 cartridges.