Can somebody advise me if my Boolean logic is wrong on this because it just seems too good to be true. It also seems that nobody else has noted this “apparent” good deal - maybe it’s just all the hoopla surrounding the the new Epson 3880.

For somebody considering their first move up to a 17" printer (from a decent 8.5” desktop photo printer - HP 7960), how could I, or anyone else, go wrong with the Canon IPF5100 when the actual hardware (excluding ink) costs only a net of $75?

Yes, I calculate, $75 total – brand new.

The IPF5100 can be had new for around $1575 with free shipping and no tax. With the current $200 rebate, good until 12/31, that means I’ll pay out $1,375 net cash. But - that comes with 12 90ml. starter cartridges valued at ~$650. Then, the rebate also includes a second full set of 12 90ml. carts worth another $650. So that’s $1,300 ink for my $1,375, costing me only $75 for all the hardware on a new 17” printer!

Assuming I use all that ink before it expires (a good question – I’ll try), how is it not insane to consider any other 17” printer? For that matter, why would anyone (who has the space) buy anything smaller, even if they only used up ~2/3 of the ink supplied? I’ll keep the HP 7960 for smaller snapshot prints because it’s still decent, but it's ink costs are very high.

I don’t know, but this seems to be a no-brainer compared to a 3800 or 4880 with current rebates, or the new 3880. Any mistakes in my math before I present my argument to “the boss?”

i'm goig to present these arguments to my boss too!

Are you sure the starter cartridges are really 90ml? And really filled up to 90ml? I've heard/read that the canon starter cartridges are only filed half.

The iPF5100 uses 130ml. carts but according to the rebate coupon, it comes with a "second set" of starter ink carts, each set worth $650.

Read the bottom of this .pdf where it says starter carts are 90ml.: http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/Promotions/Oct_Dec_rebate_ink_promo.pdf

"Choose only one." It seems that you have to choose either the $200 rebate or the second set of starter cartridges.

All 12 of mine were 90ml starter carts not half full.

Choose only one Rebate or Care Pack either with the ink.

I bought my IPF5000 when the sale price was $899 and a extra
full set of carts was $350, $1250 delivered to my door now that was a
no brainer. Make your case, your boss may end up giving you a raise

Canon starter cartridges are 90ml, takes 30ml/per cart or so to prime the machine, so for the first set you have a little less than half a set of inks to print with, that said with the second set you will have to full 90ml for each cartridge.
This is one nice, but very large printer, no photo/matte black hassles, even the low level switch the 3880 has, is one of the better printers for b&w. Takes roll papers, a savings, this printer build wise is more comparable to the 4880 than the 3880. Check this page :http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/IPF+Vs+Epson+3800+%26+4800. I have an iPF5000, going on 3 years old, one great printer.
One argument has been that the Epson x880 has a larger color gamut, I really think this is overblown, both printers have huge color gamuts and the Canon is maybe better in the blues/greens, the Epson in the red/orange, neither printer will disappoint.

Tom

Waycool is correct. You choose between the rebate and the care pack. The second set of ink carts is included with either one of those choices.

bsc2112 wrote:
"Choose only one." It seems that you have to choose either the $200 rebate or the second set of starter cartridges.

Go with the Canon... I bought a 6100 about 3 months ago, and love it. The starter cartridges have lasted far longer than I expected, and output quality is excellent. You won't be disappointed.

You may be surprised at the deals extant on the 24" carriage HP Z3100. Fully the equal of the newer Z3200 (except for a redder red on textured paper-glossy is the same). I have one and love it-Shetland pony big though and best with roll paper.

Can any of you comment on using the printer with roll paper. Specifically I'm interested in how you can batch up say 100 files to just print away and later come back and trim apart etc. Essentially how it might do for middling sized proofing. How's the software in that respect. Thanks a bunch for that or any other comment...