Mowerman90
Print Addict
Several months ago I purchased a Canon MP640 to replace the 2 ip5000's that had given up the ghost. I knew that the MP640 used the smaller CLI220/221 carts that are chipped but I could not find any older Canon printers that used unchipped carts. It was simply a matter of technology moving on (or in this case Canons unscrupulous practice of making carts harder to refill). In any event, I got the MP640 and am quite happy with it and it's performance. I purchased a "G" disc tray off of ebay and converted the printers firmware to print CD/DVDs. Almost as soon as the 640 arrived on my doorstep I started reading about the new CLI226 carts and how difficult they were to refill because of not having a view window to see the ink levels when refilling. I decided right then and there that I'd better get myself a backup printer for the 640 because it might be quite some time before 3rd party carts became available for the newer Canon printers. So I paid $59.99 from Canon direct for a refurbished MP640 with free FedEx shipping. I feel that that's a pretty good deal considering that I paid $99 for my current 640. Once it arrives I'll open the box to get the ink carts out and then seal it back up and store it until my current 640 dies. Of course in so doing, I've almost guaranteed myself that my current 640 will run troublefree for 10 to 15 years making this new purchase unnecessary . That's the way things go for me but at least I won't have to worry knowing that I've got a backup should the need arise. One just can't have too many printers you know. 
