The IT Nerd

Society is going through a digital reset. After years of delighting in our devices, the pendulum is swinging back toward the physical. From the resurgence of printed photos, scrapbooking and journaling to growing concerns about screen time in schools and at home, consumers are rediscovering the value of putting something tangible in their hands — making printers more relevant than ever for busy families, memory-keepers, creative hobbyists and work-from-home professionals.

And with select models on sale during Black Friday and throughout December, now is the time to get a head start on the holidays.

The start of a new school year brings plenty of excitement. It also brings a steady stream of forms, assignments, work sheets and unexpected requests. As families prepare for the year ahead, Epson’s EcoTank printers are reliable home essentials that are as important as backpacks, pencil cases and a good pair of runners. From forgotten worksheets to study packages and last-minute projects, Epson is there when life inevitably throws you a pop quiz.

ET-2980 Wireless All-in-One Colour Supertank Printer (MSRP: $399.99 CAD)

For many parents, back-to-school season is all about finding ways to simplify busy routines. The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 is designed for the everyday printing needs that come with the school year and daily life, from science fair projects and study guides to family schedules and shipping labels.  Epson’s EcoFit bottles allow families to print worry free in colour, without the headache of changing cartridges. With enough ink included to last up to three years¹, it helps reduce the last-minute stress of running out of ink, which aways seems to happen at the worst possible moment.

Where to Buy:

• Epson.ca
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Walmart

ET-4950 Wireless All-in-One Colour Supertank Printer(MSRP: $599.99 CAD)

As school and work increasingly overlap at home, many families need a printer that can handle more than the occasional homework assignment. The Epson EcoTank ET-4950 is designed for higher-volume printing needs, with features such as automatic double-sided printing, copying and scanning to support both students and professionals. Its wireless mobile printing capabilities² also offer added flexibility for busy households where work and learning can happen from virtually anywhere.

Where to Buy:

• Epson.ca
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Staples

Every great Dad knows that life is about balance. With Father’s Day approaching and a summer of major sporting moments on the horizon, Epson is helping Canadians elevate both how they unwind and how they work from home. With soccer and basketball being the most popular sports among streaming audiences, demand for immersive at-home viewing continues to grow. From stadium-worthy viewing to reliable home office upgrades, these gift ideas are designed to deliver high-quality performance where it matters most. 

Whether it’s game nights, backyard gatherings or family events, below are two standout picks for Father’s Day roundups and sporting event-ready entertainment features.

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus Projector (MSRP: $1,299.99) 

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus Projector turns every match into a front-row experience, making it a standout Father’s Day gift for dads who want to bring the energy of live sports home. Ideal for watch parties of the biggest soccer event and beyond, it delivers a vivid viewing experience built for shared moments. 

With sharp 4K PRO-UHD picture quality¹ and immersive Sound by Bose technology, it transforms any space into a cinematic setting, projecting up to 150 inches on virtually any surface. Its adjustable stand and portable design make it easy to move from the living room to the backyard, so the entertainment goes wherever the celebration is. 

More than just a game-day upgrade, this projector is an entertainment investment. From family movie nights to gaming with friends across the world, it elevates a simple night into an epic experience. 

Where to Buy: 

• Epson.ca
• Staples
• Best Buy
• Amazon.ca 

EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless All-in-One Colour Supertank Printer (MSRP: $599.99 CAD) 

When playtime winds down and it’s time to get back to the corporate grind, dads deserve a home office setup that works as hard as he does. The EcoTank ET-4950 is a reliable, high-performance printer built for entrepreneurial dads who need office-grade productivity at home, without the hassle. 

Designed for worry-free printing, the EcoTank ET-4950 lets dads print worry-free in colour without the stress of running out of ink at the wrong time. Its high-capacity ink tanks reduce the need for frequent replacements, making it a reliable, low-maintenance choice for everything from work documents to family projects. 

It’s a practical, low-maintenance upgrade that delivers professional results while freeing up more time for what matters most, whether that is getting back to family time or planning the next moment of fun. 

 
Where to Buy: 

• Epson.ca
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Staples 

This holiday season is all about intentional gift-giving. From practical, eco-friendly picks to smart home tech that makes life easier, Epson’s curated gift guide blends sustainability with convenience, offering thoughtful options for premium gifting.

And with select models on sale during Black Friday and throughout December, there’s no better time for Canadians to get a head start on their holiday shopping.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 Wireless All-in-One Colour Supertank Printer (MSRP: $399.99 CAD)  

Designed for easy use, the ET-2980 is perfect for busy homes with a variety of printing needs.  With Epson’s innovative cartridge-free EcoTank technology, families can print thousands of pages in black and colour without worrying about expensive, wasteful ink refills, which is useful when printing anything from end-of-year reports to holiday cards.

EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless All-in-One Colour Supertank Printer (MSRP: $599.99 CAD)

For the ultimate home office upgrade, gift yourself the ET-4950. This printer has a sleek and sophisticated design and comes with enough ink to last up to 3 years . This model offers advanced productivity features like auto duplex printing, copying and scanning, helpful for both students and professionals alike.

Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-speed Photo Scanning System (MSRP: $849.99)

The sentimental family member is always one of the hardest people to shop for. The Epson FastFoto FF-6680W photo scanner is the perfect gift to help them embrace their nostalgic side. In addition to quicky scanning and digitizing old photographs, users can enjoy the Epson FastFoto app, providing the ability to add voice and text over their photos, or create slideshows, right from their smartphone.

As back-to-school season kicks off, busy parents and students are turning to reliable brands they trust to power them through, and well beyond, the year ahead. Epson has just introduced its latest EcoTank printer— a sleek, high-performance model that doubles as a smart home office investment and an essential tool for academic success. 

 EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless All-in-One Colour Supertank Printer(MSRP: $599.99 CAD) 

The ET-4950 is the ideal all-in-one printer for busy households, perfectly suited for both students and parents. Whether you’re working from home during the day or your kids need to print homework at night, the ET-4950 delivers reliable, high-quality performance whenever you need it.  

The ET-4950 offers a modern design that fits seamlessly into any space. It provides outstanding print quality and the convenience of printing thousands of pages, including colour¹, without worrying about ink levels thanks to Epson’s high-capacity ink tanks and innovative cartridge-free printing. This new model also offers auto duplex printing, copying and scanning for advanced productivity, something any student or work-from-home warrior can appreciate. 

ET-4850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $599.99 CAD)  

The ET-4850 is a tried-and-true EcoTank printer perfect for post-secondary students. Print up to approximately 5,000 pages, eliminating the fear of running out of ink the night before a major assignment is due. This EcoTank printer is perfect for students on a budget as they can save up to 90 per cent with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges ². With premium productivity features like an Auto Document Feeder and a high-resolution flatbed scanner, this printer will benefit students long after graduation and into the workforce. 

Epson has plenty of deals throughout the back-to-school season, so be sure to check Epson.ca for weekly specials and savings!  

If you are in the market for high-quality, long-lasting tech for Dad this Father’s Day, Epson has them covered with major sales on select printers and projectors. As a trusted name in consumer technology, Epson is a go-to brand known for performance and durability — qualities any father figure can appreciate.

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Portable Smart Laser Projector (MSRP: $1,149.99 CAD)

Spending quality family time together has become a rare occasion in 2025. If you want to invest in a piece that Dad can enjoy with the whole family for years to come, The Epson EpiqVision EF21 is crafted to encourage family bonding. With built-in Google TV¹ and stunning picture quality, everyone can binge watch their favourite TV shows, enjoy big sporting events or even play video games together. The projector is currently on sale for $849.99, making it more attainable if everyone contributes to the gift (everyone will be enjoying it).

Where to Buy:

·       Best Buy

·       Epson

·       Amazon

ET-4850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $599.99 CAD)

The Epson ET-4850 is a cartridge-free printer ideal for the work-from-home dad who needs an office-grade printer to support his job or business. This model is packed with time-efficient features for the dad with no time to waste, like its high-speed printing, auto-document feeder and 2.4″ colour touchscreen for faster navigation. If Dad is a businessman, he understands a good deal and will appreciate that he’ll save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles compared to traditional ink cartridges². The ET-4850 is also currently on sale for $100 off at participating stores. Keep an eye on the links below as offers update.

Where to Buy:

·       Epson

·       Amazon

·       Staples

ET-2850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $399.99 CAD)

The Epson ET-2850 is another cartridge-free printer designed with the simple dad in mind. If he’s been looking for a reliable, low-hassle printer, this one’s for him. The entire household will benefit from worry-free colour printing, no matter the printing job. This printer comes with up to two years of ink in the box³, designed for long-term savings that won’t put a hole in Dad’s wallet. Plus, it can also print up to 5000 pages⁴, making it a smart investment. Select printers are currently on sale for $100 off at participating stores. Keep an eye on the links below as offers update.

Where to Buy:

·       Epson

·       Amazon

Epson’s recently launched EpiqVision Mini EF22 portable laser projector offers big entertainment in a small package and can make any event a truly epic experience. From a cozy movie night-in to a busy holiday get-together, the EpiqVision Mini EF22 is the perfect sidekick to help keep everyone entertained. 

Spoil your loved ones this holiday season with the NEW Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector (MSRP: $1,299.99 CAD) – a gift the whole family can enjoy. Get ready for a truly epic viewing experience with a screen size reaching up to 150”, full HD HDR picture quality and stereo speakers with Dolby audio. The Epson EpiqVision Mini is also portable, so you can easily set it up in any room of your house – or bring it with you on the road! Its new 360-degree swivel-stand with tilt ability maximizes your viewing options so you can always get the best picture. Hosting a holiday movie marathon? Stream all your favourites seamlessly with the projector’s built-in HDMI and Google TV with access to Netflix .   

For more information, check Epson.ca for weekly specials and even more savings! 

Tis the season for gift giving! As the holidays quickly approach, Epson has curated the perfect gift guide for any shopping list. And with Epson’s exclusive Black Friday deals, Canadians can get top notch printers, projectors and scanners at unbeatable prices.  

Black Friday Deals: 

• The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 projector will be on sale for $999.99 (Regular Price: $1,299.99) during Black Friday online and at participating stores.  
• The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Printer  will be on sale for $319.00 (Regular Price: $399.99 CAD) during Black Friday online and at participating stores.  
• The Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Printer   will be on sale for $399.00 (Regular Price: $599.99 CAD) during Black Friday online and at participating stores.  
• The Epson EcoTank ET-2800  Printer is on sale now for $229.00 (Regular Price: $329.99 CAD) and through Black Friday online and at participating stores.  
• The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Printer will be on sale for $699.00 (Regular Price: $1,099.99) during Balck Friday online and at participating stores. 
• The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Printer will be on sale for $729.00 (Regular Price: $899.99) during Balck Friday online and at participating stores. 
• The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 Printer will be on sale for $549.00 (Regular Price: $699.99) during Balck Friday online and at participating stores. 
• The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Printer will be on sale for $979.00 (Regular Price: $1,099.99) during Balck Friday online and at participating stores. 

Top Gift Picks:

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector (MSRP: $1,299.99 CAD) 

Get ready for a truly epic viewing experience brought to you by Epson’s newest laser projector with a screen size reaching up to 150”, full HD HDR picture quality and stereo speakers with Dolby audio. The Epson EpiqVision Mini is also portable, so you can easily set it up in any room of your house – or bring it with you on the road! Its new 360-degree swivel-stand with tilt ability maximizes your viewing options so you can always get the best picture. Hosting a holiday movie marathon? Stream all your favourites seamlessly with the projector’s built-in HDMI and Google TV  with access to Netflix . 

Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $399.99 CAD)  

The EcoTank ET-2850 is the perfect practical holiday gift for any busy parent. It can print just about anything, from financial documents to school projects and more. This printer is cartridge-free and uses high-capacity, easily refillable ink tanks, so, they won’t have to worry about black & white or colour printing, and save a lot on replacement ink . Plus, with its hands-free, voice-activated printing , parents will appreciate having one less thing to juggle.  

Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $599.99 CAD) 

For the parent or business owner who always runs a tight ship. The Epson EcoTank ET-4850’s innovative cartridge-free printing will bring joy to any type-A who works from home, with its premium productivity features like an Auto Document feeder and high-resolution flatbed scanner. You can feel confident that this gift will be used and appreciated over time. With up to 2 years of ink in the box, you’ll be giving a gift that spares loved ones the hassle of constant trips to the store. Each EcoFit bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges , so Canadian’s don’t have to worry about buying expensive cartridges refills.  

Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-speed Photo Scanning System (MSRP: $799.99) 

The Epson FastFoto FF-6680W photo scanner is the perfect gift for the family with lots of old photographs just waiting to be digitized. This scanner is speedy and can scan thousands of photos as fast as 1 photo per second. The FastFoto’s features are so easy to use, you don’t need to be tech savvy to operate it, allowing you to organize, auto enhance and colour restore even the most ancient photos that have been boxed up collecting dust. 

You can also check Epson.ca for weekly specials and even more savings. 

I have to admit that I didn’t know what to expect when Epson sent me the EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector to review. But what I found was a very capable projector in a really compact size that allows you to take it anywhere so that you can stream your content anywhere. But before I get to the streaming part, let’s look at the projector:

Here’s a look at the business end of the projector.

This projector is tiny. I measured it to be 6.8 inches square 5.3 inches high. The fabric speaker enclosure with a logo that says that the sound is powered by Yamaha gives it a kind of retro vibe.

Connectivity is present and correct with the following:

• 2 HDMI ports. One of which has eARC support.
• 2 USB ports: one USB-A port and one mini USB port, the latter of which is for servicing only based on my Google searches.
• A Kensington lock to prevent theft.
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

There’s also a power brick, a remote control, and a pair of AAA batteries for said remote control in the box as well.

In terms of resolution, this is an HD projector. So that is going to put off some who insist on 4K resolution. But here’s why you should consider this projector. For starters it’s powered by Android TV. It felt snappy navigating through menus and starting up apps. Plus it has ChromeCast built in which I can see how that can be useful. The second reason is the picture quality. The laser-powered picture is colourful and clear, with a distinct lack of blurring in fast-moving images. Mostly. I tried playing a game via this projector and that didn’t go so well because there was a significant amount of lag. But that was one of the few areas that I could get this projector to trip up. Watching the European Football Championship Final was fine.

You’re best to use this projector in an environment where it is roughly 80 inches or less from the screen. I say that because picture quality seemed to suffer for me when I got beyond 80 inches. What I found really cool was the fact that when you first turn it on, or moving it while switched on, it will auto-keystone. Plus there’s auto focus which will work better than any human trying to focus will. Both of those features will help to keep the picture sharp at all times. The EF12 is bright enough to project in a room that isn’t completely blacked out. Which given the fact that this projector puts out 1000 lumens is a big plus. The projector supports HDR and to test that, I ran a couple of HDR movies using Netflix on this projector. HDR content that is really dark isn’t going to wow you. In fact, I found some scenes to be way darker than the SDR version of the same content. But everything else that I tried was pretty great.

In terms of sound, speech and music are both clear and crisp. There’s honestly nothing to complain about with the Yamaha powered sound. And for bonus points you can use the projector as a Bluetooth speaker.

There only one thing that I should point out. And that is the fact that there’s no optical zoom. Which means that you have to move the projector back or forth to get the picture size that you want. It’s not a deal breaker by any means as I wonder how you could put optical zoom in a projector this small. But other than that, I really have nothing negative or quasi negative to say about this projector.

The EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector is $1000 CDN. But if you look around, you can find it for less. Like I said at the start of this review, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting going into this review. But on the other side of this review I can say that I was impressed by this projector as it is small yet mighty.

When parents are planning their back-to-school shopping and narrowing down what’s essential, a high-quality printer should be at the top of the list. Epson offers reliable and affordable printer options that will help children and parents power through many school years to come. Epson’s line of EcoTank printers can support the entire family with their important printing tasks while offering long-term cost savings.

ET-2850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $399.99 CAD)

The ET-2850 is the ideal wireless all-in-one printer for any busy family with a variety of printing needs. It’s ultra-convenient at home or on the go, with smart device compatibility once connected to the internet. This comes in handy during the morning rush when someone forgot to print out their assignment the night before. Parents can rest easy knowing there’s one less cost to worry about since this printer is cost-effective, as it comes with a large supply of ink in the box. Plus, with each set of EcoFit ink bottles equivalent up to approximately 80 ink cartridges, the kids can print in colour as much as they want!

Where to Buy:

• Epson.ca
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Staples

ET-4850 Wireless Colour All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (MSRP: $599.99 CAD)    The perfect printer for post-secondary students is one that will last them through multiple semesters. The ET-4850 can print up to 5000 pages approximately, limiting the number of times they’ll ring home asking for a top-up on ink, and eliminating the fear of running out of ink the night before an assignment is due. With premium productivity features like an Auto Document Feeder and a high-resolution flatbed scanner, this printer will benefit students long after graduation and support them in the workforce.

Where to Buy:

• Epson.ca
• Amazon
• Best Buy

Epson has lots of deals throughout the back-to-school season, so be sure to check Epson.ca for weekly specials and even more savings!