Actually......... the Canon is a tremendously higher yield,
if you figure it as "pages per irritation". I wouldn't buy
a printer based on the capacity of the ink.

You may not, but others who consider buying a ip1500, now I know you
are talking about the ip1500, might be concerned about the yields. I
dont remember the yield on the ip1500, but we're talking the sub 300p
range for black. I do remember it's 9.5ml for the black. Given that
average joe user is going to likely be buying OEM ink... it's important
for them to understand that while the printer may cost $50ish or in
your case $25ish that they'll be spending a huge premium on refills the
likes of which would exceed the cost of more costly model. But you
plan to refill those tanks, and more power to you.

I think canon may have abandoned these microyield tanks. the new
ip1600 claims 500p, on par with the ip3000/4000/5000. I don't know if
that is measured by 5% yield or 1500char/page.

But ouch! The ip1600 black costs $20.00 (pg-40 16ml) where the ip4200
black costs $16.25 (PGI-5bk 26ml)... same estimated yield and the same
ink (chromalife100) but more money for less volume.