Why You Can Trust CNET Get a Canon multifunction printer and Bluetooth mouse for $50
Is it weird that I mostly want this for the mouse? (It doubles as a numeric keypad!)
Need to print something? Copy something? Scan something? Aw, that's so cute and quaint.
But necessary, sometimes. And cheap, today.
For a limited time, Canon has the refurbished Pixma MG5320 multifunction printer and X Mark Mouse for $49.99 shipped.
I'll get to the printer in a minute -- because check out that mouse! It's not only a Bluetooth-powered wireless wheel mouse, but also a calculator and numeric keypad! As someone who was just bemoaning the lack of a keypad on his wee laptop, I'm loving that. It's available in black or white, and normally sells for $39.99 all by itself.
As for the Pixma, it's a Wi-Fi MFP that prints, scans, and copies. It has five individual ink tanks and supports duplex (i.e. double-sided) printing. It has a 3-inch color LCD, offers borderless 4x6-inch photo prints, and supports AirPrint -- meaning you can crank out photos directly from your iDevice. (Note that this requires a firmware update from Canon.)
On the downside, there's no auto document feeder (ADF) for scanning/copying multi-page documents. That's probably the big dealbreaker for some users, but it's to be expected at this price point.
If you can live with that, the Pixma offers easy setup and operation and fast printing, at least according to my old chums at Computer Shopper. And the user reviews over at Amazon (where the printer sells new -- and mouse-free -- for $89) peg it as a four-star product.
I think for 50 bucks out the door, this is a tough promo to pass up. Keep in mind, however, that because it's a refurb, your warranty expires after 90 days. What do you think: deal or no deal? (CNET's Lori Grunin says refurbished printers are not a good deal. Agree? Disagree?)