The Best Portable Printer and Scanner

In the fast-paced world we live in today, many people find that they need to work while traveling. For this reason, technology has produced portable computers, smart phones, and hundreds of other devices to make our lives more efficient and convenient while traveling.

To be portable with a scanner and printer, you would best consider looking at the Canon range of portable printers that can accommodate a scanner cartridge as an optional extra. The older Canon BJC 80, BJC 85 and BJC 50 and the BJC 55 are older versions that can be used for that purpose.

Portable printer scanners are simply not there to be found, but Canon do have these older models as well as the Canon Pixma iP100 which has superseded the other models and all of which offer you the benefit of being able to scan on the road. It can be very annoying when you’re equipped to print on the road but then you have to go searching for somewhere to scan.

The Older Versions

[easyazon-image-link asin="B00000JFKT" alt="Canon BJC-80 Portable Printer" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61VP7YX629L._SL160_.gif" align="left" width="160" height="65"]The Canon BJC-80 Portable Printer is hard to find new but on Amazon, you can pick up used models for around $119. If you’re seeking an affordable portable option this is an excellent choice. It is somewhat slow with print speed of 4.5 ppm black and 2ppm color. For better portability, you may purchase its battery NB-300, however, it is not always available on Amazon but can be purchased direct from Canon for $84.99.

[easyazon-image-link asin="B00004SGBW" alt="Canon BJC-85 Portable Color Bubble Jet Printer" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412R65MYK2L._SL160_.jpg" align="right" width="160" height="129"]The Canon BJC-85 Portable Color Bubble Jet Printer is no faster and same resolution of 720 x 360 dpi and obtainable from Amazon at the alarming price of $425 new but can be found cheaper if you keep checking on Amazon as prices always vary depending on availability. Same battery applies to this model as the BJC 80.

Again a better option may be to look for used or refurbished, on Amazon used models is as little as around $70 and refurbished at around $250. These models have IrDA (FIR) port lets you print without connecting up cables.

[easyazon-image-link asin="B00000JH71" alt="Canon BJC-50 Color Bubble Jet Printer" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/614C42512JL._SL160_.gif" align="left" width="160" height="68"] The Canon BJC-50 Color Bubble Jet Printer and the BJC 55 are again are models that may be a little difficult to find new but used models are available from Amazon. Again keep checking the link as new models and other used choices can become available at any time. All these models take the same battery.

Now the way to be able to scan using these models is to add the IS-12 Color Image Scanner Cartridge which is not always available on Amazon but keep looking to see when they become available. They may be difficult to locate.

The print speed of all these models are around the same but the BJC 50 and BJC 55 are a little quicker than the BJC 80 and BJC 85.

Unfortunately although older models the price is a little high but used models of all these can be obtained at excellent prices. All have convenient wireless printing from compatible computers or hand-held organizers. All have a sheet capacity of 30 sheets.

Up To Date Best Selection

[easyazon-image-link asin="B0012W9APQ" alt="Canon PIXMA iP100 Mobile Photo Printer" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gQQLeshQL._SL160_.jpg" align="right" width="160" height="160"]On the older models it can be somewhat difficult as regards availability and a good choice would be the latest of the Canon Portable printers, the Canon PIXMA iP100 Mobile Photo Printer. This model prints at a far quicker speed of 20 ppm black and 14 ppm color. Resolution is 600 x 600 dpi black and 9600 x 2400 dpi color. Possibly, the most popular color printer on the market at the moment, and capable of printing a 4″ x 6″ borderless photo at approximately 50 seconds.

Always highly rated and giving excellent quality prints and photos. Has an attractive sleek and stylish design and considering everything without doubt the best value for the quality you are getting. It comes with built in scanning software and adding the Image formula P-150 scanner, gives you the option of being able to scan on the road.

Convenient size for the on the road user, with dimensions of 12.7″(W) x 2.4″(H) x 7.2″(D) and weighing a mere 4.4 lbs.

Has OS computability with Windows®7, Windows Vista™, Windows XP/2000 and Mac OS® X v.10.3.9 to 10.5. It is quiet fast and the print quality attracts few complaints.

On Amazon, you can find new models for less than $200. This, being only a little more costly than a used or refurbished machine.

For full portability you need to add the Canon LK-62 Printer Portable Kit Battery & Attachment available from Amazon for less than $100 as well as the Canon BU-30 Bluetooth Adapter at Amazon which can usually be found for less than $50.

[easyazon-image-link asin="B003HJ114A" alt="Canon imageFORMULA P-150 Portable Document Scanner(Scan-tini)" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31qNZj61teL._SL160_.jpg" align="left" width="160" height="129"]To be able to scan, simply add the Canon imageFORMULA P-150 Portable Document Scanner(Scan-tini) which will be quite an additional expense at around $265 from Amazon. You can scan a batch of up to 20 sheets at 15 pages per minute or 30 images per minute.

So in all, as it’s not possible to buy a portable printer with ready-made scanning, this is the way to achieve your needs. The quality of all the named printers would not disappoint you and for the best portable printer and scanner option then look to Canon.