HP C5180 vs Canon MP500

[DK1000]

Hi, what's the better printer of these two? I know two people who recently
bought the HP and the prints look great and they are happy with it, but when
I looked up reviews (CNET, etc.), the reviews say the Canon MP500 gives
better prints and functionality, but worse scans than the HP.

The HP has an Ethernet port which I could use it that way in my network, and
the Canon does not. However one report says any PC's wired into the router
would be able to access the printer. What about my wireless laptop, hooked
to the same router wirelessly? I assume I can scan from any hooked in (to
the router) PC?

On the other hand, I read that when you want photos with the Canon, you
manually have to change the ink cartridges to the photo ones each time. Does
that apply to the MP 500?

The HP seems to be available everywhere around where I live, Cleveland,
Ohio, but the Canon seems a little harder to find. Thanks much.

BTW, I bought the HP acouple days ago but didn't open the box yet. If the
difference is only marginal, I'll keep the HP.

 

[Bob Headrick]

The HP has an Ethernet port which I could use it that way in my
network, and the Canon does not. However one report says any PC's
wired into the router would be able to access the printer. What about
my wireless laptop, hooked to the same router wirelessly? I assume I
can scan from any hooked in (to the router) PC?

The wireless laptop will work just like the wired connections; I use a
Photosmart 2610 All-in-one with a similar network, the printer and a few
wired connections and a wireless laptop. Both scanning and printing can
be done via the wireless connection to the router.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[measekite]

Hi, what's the better printer of these two? I know two people who recently
bought the HP and the prints look great and they are happy with it, but when
I looked up reviews (CNET, etc.), the reviews say the Canon MP500 gives
better prints and functionality, but worse scans than the HP.

I prefer Canon printers for photography and for better paper handling.
HP has better draft and text quality.

The HP has an Ethernet port which I could use it that way in my network, and
the Canon does not. However one report says any PC's wired into the router
would be able to access the printer. What about my wireless laptop, hooked
to the same router wirelessly? I assume I can scan from any hooked in (to
the router) PC?

Yes any shared printer can be accessed thru the router using a wireless
card.

On the other hand, I read that when you want photos with the Canon, you
manually have to change the ink cartridges to the photo ones each time. Does
that apply to the MP 500?

No but that is the case with some HP printers.

The HP seems to be available everywhere around where I live, Cleveland,
Ohio, but the Canon seems a little harder to find. Thanks much.

BTW, I bought the HP acouple days ago but didn't open the box yet. If the
difference is only marginal, I'll keep the HP.

HP costs like running a V8 while Canon costs are like running a 4

 

[DK1000]

Thanks for the replies so far.

What about ink costs, my local Best Buy has a package for the HP with the 6
ink cartridges and 150 sheets of 4x6 photo paper for $36. My neighbors
bought theirs plus the extra pack about 2 months ago, and BB still sells it
for 436, and if I keep this printer, hope sthey still sell it.

Any similar deals for the Canon MP 500, at least ink at a reasonable cost? I
don't want to pay $60+ for the set of cartridges like I have to do for my
Epson RX600. I just read a review that Canon uses ink like water, but they
all probably do. Also, does the Canon have a separate 4x6 tray like the HP
does?

I still didn't open the box and will decide later this week what to do,
thanks much.

 

[DK1000]

I forgot to add, it seems I read people like the MP500 better than the 520
or 530?