Canon Pixma MX850 Office All-In-One Inkjet Printer (2436B002)
by Canon
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon Pixma MX850 Office All-In-One Inkjet Printer (2436B002)
Customer Review: Great Home Office All-in-One for Mac or PC
Summary: 5 Stars
Strengths: Outstanding text quality, built-in duplexing and automatic document feeder, two paper trays, Mac (Leopard) compatibility
Weaknesses: Big and heavy, networking/sharing support could be improved, photo quality not fantastic
I purchased the MX850 as a replacement for a similar HP Photosmart 3310 that I had been using for several years with my Mac and Windows PCs. I was generally satisfied with the HP; it included built-in wireless networking and had outstanding photo quality. After upgrading to OS X 10.5 Leopard, however, the HP model was rendered useless for anything other than basic printing on my iMac, even with drivers updated for Leopard. I was very happy, therefore, to find that Canon's MX850 works flawlessly with my iMac running Leopard.
The first thing you notice about the MX850 is its size; it's considerably larger and heavier than my HP multifunction printer. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you'll want to take note of the dimensions and make sure you have room for this device before purchasing. This is likely due to the added functionality Canon has squeezed into the device. It includes an auto duplexer, automatic document feeder, and two paper trays (one at bottom front and one on the back). If you frequently scan multi-page documents, print double-sided materials, or switch between two types/sources of paper, then this machine will undoubtedly prove very convenient.
Printer output is very good, with a few caveats. Everyday printing is very speedy, and the text output of the MX850 is fantastic, giving some laser printers a run for their money. There is one caveat pertaining to duplex printing which causes duplex-printed text documents to appear dark gray instead of black. In order to reduce bleeding through on double-sided documents, the printer uses only colored inks (no black) for double-sided printing. If you prefer to print most of your documents using black ink only (which I would recommend in order to conserve the expensive colored inks), know that you won't be able to do so when printing in duplex mode. Unfortunately, the photo quality of the MX850 is not as outstanding as the text quality. It produces nice-looking (even frame-worthy) prints on photo paper, but you won't mistake them for professional prints. This is the one area where the Photosmart beats the MX850 hands-down.
The other features of this device also work very well. Scan quality is very good, and the automatic document feeder makes it very easy to scan multiple-page documents. Fax capabilities are built in as well, and I was pleased to note the inclusion of speed dial and a standard telephone-style number pad for inputting numbers.
The MX850 also includes network connectivity in the form of an ethernet port, but it would have been nice to see built-in WiFi networking included as well. Even though Canon includes fully-featured drivers for both Windows and Mac OS X, it's not possible to attach the device to a Mac and share it with Windows PCs (I was able to use Bonjour printer sharing and a generic driver to allow my Windows PCs to print to the device, but you don't have the ability to scan or to set or use any advanced device functions such as the duplexer or print quality settings).
The MX850 is clearly designed with a home office environment in mind, as its advanced document-handling abilities and unexceptional photo quality suggest. If you're looking for a full-time photo printer, then you should look elsewhere; but if your scanning and printing needs routinely call for excellent text quality, convenient duplexing, scanning multipage documents, and the flexibility offered by two paper trays, then the MX850 will fit the bill perfectly.
Customer Review: Another great product from Canon !!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This printer is an upgrade to my Canon Pixma iP6000. The iP6000 is excellent for printing photos as well as all daily stuff. I was concerned that a multi-function printer would not print photo's as well. I was wrong!!!
This multi-function printer is as good, maybe even a little better at photos than the iP6000 was. I have only had it a couple of days, so I have not tried everything out yet. Regular print quality is excellent. Copying is great. Scanning should come out just as good as copying, but I've yet to try it. Photo printing is excellent.
If your looking at this just remember to consider its size. I don't think it's really any bigger than most other all-in-ones but it is bigger than my last printer.
I went with the MX850 for 2 reasons. (1) Networking capability and (2) Canon technology. I am very pleased with my decision!!
The set-up went without any problems at all. The first computer I hooked it up to is a desktop running XP home via USB. Installed perfectly.
Next was a laptop running Vista via network. NOTE: As instructed by the instructions you must attach the USB cable to the FIRST computer that is being installed on the network before you connect it via the network. After it is completely installed you no longer need that USB connection. It will connect via the network. Yes, my laptop is connected wirelessly. It works great!!! For any additional computers on the network all you have to do is install the software and connect it via the network. NO USB required for all additional network computers. The installation software is very easy to understand. There are only 3 install options. (1) Install to computer via dedicated USB connection. (2) Install FIRST computer on a network (must use USB this ONE time only). (3) Install additional computers on network. Thats it...
As I said it's only been a couple of days so I have yet to try everything out, but so far NO disappointments. It seems to be a very well built simple to use machine. Software seems to be running fine on XP and Vista. Not sure where the pricing will go on this unit but, Amazon dropped their price $45 only a couple days after I ordered it. I was happy at full retail, but at $235 you can't go wrong !!!
The one thing I do recommend is to use Canon photo paper when printing photos. I found that I got the best results this way. That was on the iP6000, but I'm sure the MX850 will be the same way.
Good luck with your purchase. Hope this helps a little.
EDIT:
It has been a few more days since original install.
During set-up on another computer on the network it would not install. I called tech support for help. The problem was my computer NOT the printer. Tech support was great!!!!!! They walked me through step by step checking everything till we found the problem. Canon has their support in the US and they have a dedicated department for networking. It was actually a pleasure calling them for help. Usually I hate to call for support. You never know where the call is being routed. Very nice to know you can get quick easy help if needed.
Also since I got a chance to play a little more with the printer I discovered how quick it is. I was happy with the iP6000 print speed, but the MX850 makes me realize how slow it was. I didn't time it, but it printed a 4x6 photo very quickly!! Another nice feature is the door where the paper comes out will open automatically when you print.
So far no regrets!!! Don't be afraid to call tech support if needed. They are great!
Customer Review: Awesome printer...
Summary: 5 Stars
I think the Canon Pixma MX850 is great. There's a bit of a learning curve to figure out some of the features and somethings you may have to refer to the manual in order to use them until you familiarize yourself with the printer. I made sure I used all of the functions of this printer and everything works well. I'm really impressed with the speed in which all the functions are carried out and the print and scan quality. The Canon Pixma MX850 has a lot of positives but this product is not perfect so of course it has some negatives.
Positives:
- All the controls are in the front. You don't have to get up out of your chair to do anything. Everything is at your fingertips.
- It's wireless. I've got my MacBook hooked up to this printer wirelessly, though it wasn't an easy setup. However, the Canon rep. I talked to was very helpful in walking me through the process. Once it was set up, documents print out flawlessly just as if it were connected to the printer via a USB connection. I also have my HP desktop computer hooked up via a wired network connection.
- It takes most types of media cards so if you don't want to hook up your camera via USB cable and you would rather take out your media card and view and print your pictures that way, you can.
- Prints quietly
- The printer has a bright color LCD screen, which is especially useful when you put in your media card and you want to view or make any adjustments to your photos before you print them.
- Fast 20-22 sec. 4x6 photo prints
- Photos print out beautifully
- Prints documents almost immediately, no long thinking or waiting time and they print out fast. One color documents print out fast even in the standard setting.
- The text prints out clear and crisp. The ink dries fast so there isn't any smudging.
- Auto two-sided printing(Duplex printing)
- Comes with software that allows OCR(optical character recognition) meaning you can scan a document then the program will translate it into editable format. In other words, the document you scan in will become a text document that you can edit. Instead of having to type over a whole document, you can scan it and make changes to it once transformed into text format. This program is a part of the Canon Utilities bundle that is included with this printer. The bundle also contains other neat programs with a variety of features.
- Too many other great features to numerous to name
Negatives(a very short list):
- The size. The Canon MX850, as has been said, is enormous and very heavy. This printer takes up quite a bit of space on my small desk. Though this wasn't a deal breaker for me, I do wish it was smaller. Canon really has to work on reducing the size of their all-in-ones.
- I also don't like the fact that when I open the lids of the print, whether it's the scanner lid or the cover that you have to open to put in the ink, doesn't slam down softly or smoothly. I always feel like I'm slamming them down even though I'm not plus the lids are not exactly light either.
Despite the size of the Canon MX850, it's very attractive looking and pretty easy to use. There are plenty of menu options for you to adjust the printer the way you want it to function. I even got it to work as a CD label printer by hooking up a a removable CD label tray. This can be purchased on the net. All in all, this is a fantastic printer with excellent features and I'm glad I decided to purchase it.
Customer Review: Great product and value
Summary: 5 Stars
I was initially going to buy an HP all-in-one (L7580, L7680, or C7280) to replace my HP OfficeJet G85, which would not scan with Vista. I was not comfortable with the HP customer reviews, though, as they confirmed some of my own doubts from seeing the products in stores. I kept looking and came across the new Canon MX850 and decided this was what I had been looking for. This product is worth the full list price, so Amazon's discount and great shipping made it an even better value.
I set up the MX850 on my home network, which includes a Linksys Wireless G router, a Vista laptop, and an XP desktop. The setup worked perfectly the first time, and all functions work flawlessly from both PCs. You use a cable connection from the MX850 to the router, but this is not a problem for my setup. I did not have to call tech support, but it appears from other reviews that it is excellent, and in English.
Print speed is excellent, and the photo quality is also excellent. I printed some photos using the sample 4x6 paper that came with the printer, and they are as good as the same photos printed by the Kodak Gallery web site. I also like the included duplex (two-sided) printing, which is extra on many other products in this price range. The control panel is well designed and intuitive. The unit seems to be solid, durable, and well-constructed.
There a few minor points for improvements. First, the Canon takes a little more overhead time than the HP OfficeJet to clean or check the print heads or ink tanks, so sometimes you wait a short while before it actually starts to print. Second, when you set up your printing specs on your PC, the specs are not communicated to the MX850, so you have to set them up there as well. For example, if you've been printing on regular paper and now you want to print photos, you have to set the paper size, paper type (glossy, etc.), and print quality on your PC and then also set them on the MX850. Third, the standard print quality for text is not quite as dark black as the HP OfficeJet, but you only notice it if they are side by side. Last, the setup process adds a ton of software to your PC, including eight new desktop icons, two system tray icons, and five new Canon folders in the start menu. None of these are real problems, just observations.
Overall, I rate this as an excellent product for price, functionality, and construction. Buy it!
Customer Review: Great for photo archiving & light home office needs!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my pixma mx850 for almost a month and I must say I love it so far. My main reason for buying was to archive over a thousand family photos (mostly 4x6 but other sizes as well). I did a lot of shopping and wish I had read an amazon review for what I wanted so I'm doing this for others. I'm a home user happy with a simple USB hookup (USB cord NOT included so order at least a 6ft cord separately if you don't have a spare) - I didn't need wireless or networking, etc. It was important to me that in addition to a fast quality scanner (which it is) that it be a true all-in-one with printer, copier AND fax. Decent size and weight (read the specs before ordering) but that's expected for a printer that does all this. Machine setup was quick and easy and the scanner software makes good quality scanning more automatic in case you're not an expert. I'm satisfied with how the scans came out. Nice resolution options so you can zoom in for a closer look. Although I really wanted the feature to scan negatives, I did not miss it once I got started since I had all the corresponding 4x6 prints. flatbed allows two 4x6 photos scan at a time and each scan takes about 30 to 45 seconds. I will be done with my project in no time. Although i haven't used the printer much, it works fine - has a top document feed to print 2 sided, has a small tray to hold about 25 sheets and back load for single print jobs. Decent quality doc prints with lots of features but easy to use. I don't plan to do much photo printing since their are too many other ways to show digital photos these days. Therefore, the cost of replacing the 4 or 5 print cartridges is really not an issue for me right now. Has a place to input small SD chip to print from camera although I found the small slot a little tricky to access. Also, the guide warns not to plug the printer in a power strip with other plugs but only comes with a short 3 or 4 foot cord so the warning can't be taken seriously. I turn the printer and strip off when not in use. Over-all a very good printer for the money that scans all my photos plus any other little printing, copying and faxing that i might need in the future. I'm more than satisfied.