Scanning without Ink Cartridges

[Ben Tolosa]

Hi there!

I am looking to purchase a scanner. I just want to go, pick one up from a local store. My local Walmart and Best Buys does NOT have scanner only units on their stores. Only all in ones. Which I rather not the get because I do NOT want neither need a printer. But, they have good deals on them. Two of them are 49 dollars each (HP and Canon models). However, I do have an all in one (HP Photosmart 3300 series) which will NOT scan if I don't get it new cartridges. It just doesn't do it. I tried everything I know. At any rate, buying ink cartridges for that old monster is more money than one of these new all in ones cost. So, it makes no sense for me to invest money on an older all in one. However, I do not want to buy a new all in one and have the same issue when I ran out of ink!
I cannot find THAT particular piece on information on the all in ones they have at one of the stores (mentioned bellow). So, I guess I need the rely purely on somebody else's experience on this one.

Models they have in one of those stores:
Canon PIXMA MP495 ($49)
HP Deskjet 2050 ($49)
HP Deskjet F4580 ($69)
HP Officejet 4500 Desktop ($69)
HP Photosmart wireless ($don't remember)

Does any one know of an all in one that can scan just fine even if you ran out of ink??!?!

Input very much appreciated!

Thanks ;)