Canon's newest PIXMA is a 4-in-1 printer (print, scan, copy and fax) obtainable for under 90 Euros.
Like a lot of the current PIXMA machines, the stream-lined MX340 is attractively designed in cream and black, and with the in and out trays closed it won't use up a lot space on a cabinet, measuring 458 x 415 x 198mm and weighing close to 8.6kg, and this certainly will not put your back out when lifting it into place.
This is plainly designed to be a small business, light use printer for places of work which don't need to create large quantities of documents. On top there is a valuable automatic document feeder which in turn holds up to 30 sheets plus the primary input tray at the rear contains at the most 100 sheets. The control panel beneath the ADF provides large, obviously labelled buttons furthermore printing details may be issued directly, via the mono, two-line LCD menus or by way of the provided software on your computer.
Although there is not any media card reader, a USB 2. port is supplied near the output tray designed for servicing flash cards or PictBridge digicam transfers. Possibly unexpectedly with this price bracket, the MX340 offers Wi-Fi along with an Ethernet connection, however establishing the Wi-Fi link requires a LAN cable to get you started. The manual is available as a hard copy and is also incorporated on the provided set up disk together with Canon's standard set of MP Navigator and Easy-PhotoPrint software.
In terms of print rate, Canon's boasts are definitely more precise than the majority. Black text documents of draft quality managed 7ppm (compared to the claimed 8.4ppm), although this drops to 2ppm at good quality. 10 x 15cm photos came up spot-on the advocated 43 seconds even the finest quality reached a decent 1 minute 20 seconds. A4 sized pictures needed just 1 minute 50 seconds with the standard level, climbing to 3 minutes 35 seconds at the premium setting, furthermore A4 copies zoomed out in 55 seconds.
Although the MX340's performance overall is notable (the top resolution is 4800 x 1200dpi), ink cartridge consumption coupled with print quality are much less stunning. In contrast to a number of other All-in-Ones, you will find just two ink cartridges: black, which is pigment based, along with a dye based colour cartridge that combines colours to create black on non-text output.
Black text documents are crystal clear, razor-sharp and striking however pictures have a clearly yellow hue plus copies turn out clearly more dark compared to originals. Additionally, the furnished black cartridge has only a 220 page life, plus the colour has 244 pages, so you'll likely be required to invest in more costly high-yield, but better value, alternatives.
Small businesses searching for an affordable all-in-one printer inclusive of fax functionality are going to be bowled over by the PIXMA MX340's flexibility, Wi-Fi connection and speed of operation, even though its ink consumption is expensive and its colour quality variable.
