Agreed, but "all-in-ones" are also much cheaper.  I don't need a scanner or copier enough to warrant buying standalone ones for use at home, but if I can get it for say $70 more as part of an all-in-one printer that seems worth it to me for the convenience.

Given that we're talking about cost here as a major concern, I think that's a valid thing for folks to look at.  However, if you only want a inkjet, there are many solutions for you for under $50.

I felt the same as you did about integrated peripherals, but as prices have plummeted I actually prefer them now.  I'd rather have an integrated motherboard that costs $100 than a motherboard, SATA card, sound card, graphics card, networking card that are all separate and cost $300 total.  If a component breaks I don't mind shelling out $100 to replace the whole thing, and the lack of all of the connectors and sockets and impaired airflow is a huge plus for me.

But, YMMV.

Jeffrey.

On Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 3:35 AM, Leo Mauler <webgiant@yahoo.com> wrote:

Among the many reasons I do not own a Mac is that I am distrustful of "all-in-one" technology.  Printers need only print.  More "options" provide additional things which can break, sometimes before other options resulting in (for example) a printer which has a broken scanner, necessitating purchase of a separate scanner anyway or disposal of a perfectly good printer.  Integration often results in horrible mistakes like the entire line of Windows OSes after v3.11.

Yes I was annoyed about motherboards coming with on-board <anything>.  I don't buy any motherboard which has on-board technology (such as networking, video, sound, modem, hard drive controller, floppy controller, etc.) which cannot be switched off and replaced with an add-on card.




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"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." -- Thomas Paine