Printer to Go

The Canon iP90 is the second printer that I have purchased recently. The reason that I bought it is because when I go out of town on business and I am using my lap top in a hotel room, I hate when I can’t print something out. So instead of lugging my hp photo shop with me I figured that I would buy a portable printer. I definitely don’t regret the purchase because it has proved to be quite useful, but I do think that Canon could make a few improvements.

While I was shopping for printers I went to about 3 different stores and this cannon seemed to be the only portable printer around, so there is not much in the market to compare it to. Since home offices are so popular now an inexpensive printer can be found for about $100, so I was a bit shocked at the marked price of $250, but I finally gave in because I knew I would get my money out of it.

As I am not very computer savvy I was a little leery about the installation process. I usually have to call my computer programmer sister and get step by step instructions. This time, however, I was able to breeze right through it. A disk comes with the printer and you simply plug in the cord and put the disk in the computer, hit a few buttons and your up and running. The process probably took about 10 minutes.

When I did tell my sister that I had bought a new printer she freaked out because it is top loading, she told me to return it immediately because it would jam up. I laughed and said it would be fine (my hp is bottom loading and hasn’t ever jammed). Well, my Canon jams, either that or it sucks in 2,3,4,5 sheets of paper at one time and I find myself trying to put them quickly back in the top because it only holds about 20 sheets at one time. It really holds me up some times when it keeps jamming or being difficult, it has a mind of its own.

The print quality is quite clear, even with pictures it is very accurate. The colors are bright and the accents are clear. It also prints fairly quick without too much delay. Some printers I’ve had in the past take too long to warm up and get going but this one jumps right into action. Its not like warp speed or anything but it could definitely hold its own in a print off.

This is a pretty basic printer and I think that it only prints 8.5 by 11 paper (standard size). When I bought the printer I got a pack of free paper. It is hp bright white inkjet, and it seems to be working fine, perhaps that has something to do with the fine quality.

I think the biggest problem aside the jamming issue is the excessive use of ink. I’ve had it for a month and already blew through 2 cartages of black. I printed about 250 pages. To give you perspective, I’ve had my hp for about a year and I don’t think I’ve changed the ink yet. Luckily the ink is fairly inexpensive. I got mine at Best Buy for $15 for a 2 pack. I did recently find out that you can take them to stores like Walgreens and they will fill your empty cartrages for about half the cost, so maybe I can save some money there.

All in all I do not regret my purchase because I now have a printer that I can take out of town with me but I do wish that Canon would look at the problems with their products and fine tune them. After all if your paying money for something and they are backing it you should get the best possible product that they can supply.