Canon PIXMA® MP530 All-In-One InkJet Printer

Recently, the HP T45 Multifunction machine that I had relied on for many (7) years, began to make the death rattles and errors associated with imminent demise. Also, since it hasn t been made for many years, the ink cartridges were becoming a bit of a hassle to find and, though findable on Ebay, etc, they tended to be old ones in their original packaging and not especially reliable. Therefore, it was time to find a new all-in-one for my home and small office use. I searched out professional reviews, compared features and prices and, of course, consulted with my fellow consumer reviewers. All said and done, I decided on this Canon Pixma MP530 and am pleased to report that, as of the first week or two, I am quite pleased with each of it s functions, printing, copying, scanning and FAXing and have found some fault in only four areas. They are 1) it is VERY noisy and shakes a bit as it operated; 2) the setup is more complex than I am used to and though I am not a novice, it took me almost an hour to get it fully set up and programmed, 3) the inkjet cartridges ARE expensive though the quality of the printing especially of photos may make the additional expense well worth while and 4) the machine is large, weighing over 28 lbs. and measuring, with paper trays retracted, 18.4 (W) X 18.4(D)X10.4 inches (H.)

I can offer some initial impressions based on my experiences with each of it s features as well as the overall operation of the device that you may find of some help in making a good decision for yourself.

The Cost(s)
The machine, itself, is priced quite reasonably. At well under $200., it offers a nice range of features, is an attractive design (though admittedly rather large in both weight and dimension compared to HP machines with similar features). It comes with everything you need to set it up in the box except for the necessary USB2 cable a deliberate omission I found particularly irritating as it is obviously intended to artificially lower the cost of the unit. Canon s responses to my questions about this were entirely rote and unsatisfactory. This is, I realize, an increasingly common practice to not provide new cables with new printers. A marketing and public relations error, in my view, for most of the major manufacturers of printers and multifunction machines. So, nearly an hour into the set up, I found myself running out to a local store to buy the cable it requires to connect it to my computer. I got over it when I started to use the machine.
Frequently criticized for the expense of the inkjet cartridges (it holds a total of 5 of them One large Black, one small one, and three colors ,Yellow, Majenta and Cyan) and will not operate (any of the functions) if any one of the cartridges is empty making back up ink supply a necessity rather than a convenience option. COSTCO offers competitive prices for the ink, as do many online resellers. As with all equipment, I would recommend that users avoid the temptation to save money by buying refilled/refurbished cartridges. Besides their intermittent reliability, they may both foul your machine as well as void the warrantee. The ink IS expensive, but, on the other hand, the quality is excellent and FAR surpasses my various HP experiences.

The Set Up
This is one of the more complicated set ups I have encountered. It requires both patience and time. However, the reasons for the complexities are logical and, ultimately, helpful. Unlike my old HP T45, there are MANY subsets of choices in setting up each of the functions. So, if you take the time to do it carefully, the machine will work exactly as you want it to. All default settings are not necessarily correct or desirable for all users! As I mentioned, it took me nearly an hour, including the time to research, in the included printed manual, what each setting actually controls and then altering ones I had misunderstood and set initially incorrectly. This is real life when setting up ANY reasonably complex piece of hardware and price notwithstanding, this PIXMA is that. Included in the box is a standard and clearly illustrated Quick Set-Up Guide which allows for a relatively quick and efficient set up especially for users for whom the default settings are most appropriate.

Printing
By far, this is the feature I most often use. The actual speed of the printing, while somewhat faster than that which is posted, is slowed by the duplexing function in and of itself, a lovely paper-saving feature. Print quality tend to be one of the most important features of any such machine to the average user. IN this regard, I have been MORE than satisfied. There are three print definition settings, Fast for quick personal usage, Standard for most routine text printing needs and High used primarily for printing high definition photos. The Fast is easily legible but doesn't copy, fax or scan as well as the higher settings, so I use it only when I am actually preparing a Draft for my own eyes only. More commonly, I have settled on the middle setting. Set on this Standard setting, the print is quite clear and saves ink over using the more consuming high definition setting. The print is not absolutely jet black but about as dark a shade of gray as one could imagine and is nicely clear, sharp and easily dark enough to be easily read, scanned, faxed or copied. I reserve the latter High for documents being printed for sending out and, of course, for photographs.
A few common specs for comparison with other machines:
Printing resolution: 9600 X 2400 dpi. Max.
Print speed: Black: 15-29 ppm depending on setting
and needed resolution.
Color: 11-19 ppm
Print width: 8 (8.5 for borderless option)
Paper capacity: Two: One main drawer type holding about 100 pages of paper, and a rear auto-feed that holds another 75 or so.

Copying
Copy speed: Black & White fast mode: approx 28cpm
Color fast mode: approx 19cpm
Copy Capacity: 99 copies
Density adjustment: 9 levels from which to choose
Zoom: 25% to 400%

FAX
Modem speed(s): 2400 33600 bps
Transmission speed:B&W: About 3 secs. Per page at 33.6 Kbps
Color: About 1 min, 20 secs per page at
33.6 Kbps
Settings allow for: Automatic redialing
Distinctive Ring Pattern Detection
Remote reception by phone
Non-ring reception
Activity Report (after every 20
transactions.
Non-delivery report
TTI (Transmit Terminal Information)

Scanner
Flatbed, one page at a time OR auto-feed
Compatibility: TWAIN/WIA (Windows XP)
Not compliant with Windows VISTA
Scanning resolution: 1200 dpi X 2400dpi (optical)
19200 X 19200 dpi(enhanc)
Image processing: Halftones: 256 levels of gray
Color: 16,777,216 colors (but whose counting?!)

A PictBridge program is also included allowing for direct photo printing from a USB cable without requiring the use of the computer. I have not tried out this function yet, but am looking forward to it. I HAVE used all the others and they have worked flawlessly. It is nearly identical to the more expensive model MP580, but that it lacks 1) networkability and 2) card reading slots: two features I personally did not need or want.

So, for a large, inexpensive but well functioning all-in-one, it is a really good deal. It DOES shake, rattle and roll a bit so I have mine set on a table next to the computer and desk rather than on the same table: no big compromise there as it does fit where I had the old HP mounted. From a former HP devotee to a Canon convert in one purchase. Check it out!