Regular Cheapskate readers know of my weird affection for multifunction printers, especially those of the Wi-Fi variety. There's just something magical about scanned and printed documents traveling wirelessly between PC and printer. You'd think that kind of magic would cost a small fortune, but nuh-uh: Canon has the refurbished Pixma MX340 Wireless multifunction printer for $39.99 shipped.
This is a compact, entry-level model, one best suited to homes and very small offices. It prints (in color, of course) at resolutions up to 4,800 by 1,200, scans or copies up to 30 pages at a time (thanks to its auto document feeder), and even sends and receives faxes (remember those?). Because it supports Wi-Fi, you can print and scan without so much as a USB cable. In fact, Canon's Easy-PhotoPrint app for iOS lets you beam photos (4x6-inch borderless ones, if you like) directly from your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. That's mighty cool.
Other features include a 100-sheet paper input tray, two-cartridge printing (one black, one multi-color), and even a USB cable (which is ironic given that most users will probably go wireless). CNET hasn't reviewed the Pixma MX340, but half a dozen users rated it very highly. And over at Amazon, where it sells new for $70, the 160-plus user ratings average out to four stars. Bottom line: nice little MFP, especially for 40 bucks. Because it's a refurb, however, the warranty expires after 90 days. I don't have a problem with that, but some buyers might.
Bonus deal: Don't have the Wi-Fi router you need to print wirelessly in your home? Or maybe you're just looking to upgrade that old 802.11g model? Newegg has a Zyxel NBG416N router for $16.99 shipped. That's one of the best prices I've seen on an 802.11n router. Amazingly, it's new, not refurbished, and doesn't come with a rebate!