|
Ease of Use (7.50)
With such a simple printer, the iP1800 had better not be difficult to use. Fortunately, it utilizes Canon’s very user-friendly printer driver and software programs. Only two buttons on the printer make operation simple. However, their placement on the unit’s top alongside the paper guide caused us to inadvertently turn the printer off while adjusting the guide size. Also, if there’s a problem, the user has to decipher the multiple flashes from the lamps embedded in the button. Not a big deal, but, as I mentioned, counting 15 flashes is tedious.
Although this $50 printer does not have a cartridge for each color and the high quality output that can attend that configuration, having only two cartridges certainly makes replacement easier. The Paper Thickness Lever is a feature that only purchasers of this lower-end model need to contend with. Adjusting for paper thickness is a function performed automatically by more expensive printers. It’s not a difficult task at all, but one more thing for users to think about if they’re using multiple paper surfaces.
Value(7.00)
If consumers are on a tight enough budget that anything over $50 is undoable, then the Pixma iP1800 is a pretty good option. It provides decent Canon image quality, but it won’t win any prizes for quality or speed. The supporting drivers and software, which is the same as for most other Canon inkjets, makes it a more useful tool than it would be with a stripped down version, especially for users without any editing software of their own. Ink cartridges are comparably priced to the competition.
Comparisons
Other Canon printers
As Canon’s most inexpensive photo printer, the Pixma iP1800 only has the most basic features. Consumers wanting to stick with Canon products and interested in camera and media card compatibility will have to shell out a few more bucks for those features. The Canon Pixma iP3300 retails for $79.99 and adds direct printing from PictBridge cameras for the extra $30. The only other improvement is a dedicated output tray.
 For $99.99, the Canon Pixma iP6310D features both a direct print port and media card slots. It also features an input and an output tray, additional improvements over the iP1800. A 2-line LCD screen displays basic printer info. An optional Bluetooth adapter allows wireless printing. Like the iP1800, the iP6310D also uses a two-cartridge, ChromaLife 100 ink system, but this printer uses six inks, as opposed to four inks with the iP1800. The additional inks are a Photo Cyan and a Photo Magenta.
Comparable HP models
 The HP Deskjet D2360 printer is not considered a photo printer, but it does have optional photo cartridges available. Like the Canon Pixma iP1800, the D2360 retails for $49.99, and doesn’t have memory card or direct print support. It weighs a little less, at 5.5 pounds as opposed to the iP1800’s 7.3 lbs., and it doesn't feature HP’s usual combination input/output paper tray.
 The HP Photosmart D5160 retails for $89.99 and includes memory card slots and direct printing from compatible cameras. This unit is billed as a photo printer and features an automated, dedicated photo tray. It also has a one-line LCD display. Two cartridges are standard, but the color cartridge can be switched with a greater capacity photo cartridge and a separate gray for improved photo quality. It can also print on CDs and DVDs. All this comes with an additional 4.5 pounds, bringing its weight up to 11.8 pounds.
Comparable Epson models
 The Epson Stylus Photo R260 sells for $89.99 and features a Claria dye-based, six-ink system with independent cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta). This has the benefit of only having to replace the color that’s depleted. With a multi-color cartridge, one color may run out while the other colors are still usable. The Epson R260, unlike the Canon iP1800, has direct print compatibility, and it can print on CDs/DVDs. The unit also meets Energy Star standards for power usage.
 The Epson Stylus C88+ sells for $79.99, and it’s billed more as a document printer that can also print photos. It uses DURABrite Ultra pigment inks in four individual cartridges. The printer also comes bundled with software for creating calendars, books, etc., like the Pixma iP1800. It features a parallel port in addition to the now-standard USB port, and users can also purchase optional equipment for network connectivity.
Other Companies
Lexmark makes several very inexpensive inkjet printers that are not considered photo printers, but users do have the option of purchasing expanded color cartridges for printing photos. The $50 model, the Lexmark Z845, has one advantage over the Canon iP1800—optional Ethernet connectivity.
|
