Related Articles
Canon
Your phone can pull scanner duty in a pinch, especially if you pair it with an app like Evernote Scannable, but if you’re looking for really crisp, archival-quality scans of documents and photos, you need the real deal.
For a limited time, and while supplies last, Tanga has the Canon Pixma MG2520 for $17.99, plus $1.99 for shipping. Regular price: $39.99.
OK, I’m pulling a little sleight-of-hand on you. The MG2520 is actually an all-in-one: a printer, copier and scanner. It’s extremely compact and about as entry-level as such a device can get — but did I mention it’s $18?
So why didn’t I lead with the all-in-one aspect? Because although the MG2520 is (according to Tanga) new, not refurbished, it comes without ink cartridges. (I’m not sure why; new ones sold elsewhere aren’t similarly limited.) In other words, out of the box, it’s good only for scanning. But if you’re in need of a scanner, this is kind of ah-maze-ing.
Want ink? You’ll need PG-245 or PG-245 XL cartridges for black and CL-246/CL-246 XL cartridges for color. You can get remanufactured/OEM versions of each starting at around $18 — fairly typical for ink. Like I’ve always said, you’re forever going to be on the hook for ink or toner, so you might as well get the best deal you can on the printer itself.
The MG2520 has earned some surprisingly high marks from buyers, at least based on the reviews I found at Staples and Walmart. This despite it being a USB-only device (cable not included) that can produce a mere 8 pages per minute. And although the output tray can hold up to 60 sheets, nowhere — and I mean nowhere — in the specs does it mention the input tray. (Hopefully you don’t have to feed paper in stacks of 10!)
If you look upon this as a printer that comes with no ink, it’s a pretty “meh” deal, because a pair of cartridges will add close to $40 to the price. But if you look upon it as a compact flatbed scanner for a mere $20 out the door, yowza! Super deal. Perception is reality, cheeps!
RAVPower
Bonus deal: I kind of wish it was November, because I just found a killer stocking-stuffer. For a limited time, and while supplies last, Sunvalleytek (via Amazon) has the RAVPower Luster 3,000mAh mobile charger for $8.49, shipped free for Amazon Prime subscribers. That’s after applying coupon code BA5O7IZP at checkout.
Normally $14.99, this compact, tube-shaped charger comes in your choice of colors. It can power pretty much any mobile device, though you’ll need to supply the powered USB port to charge the stick itself. User reviews: a solid 4.5 stars out of 5 from some 1,300 buyers.
