Canon Pixma MX700

Pros: Clean design, solid physical build, logical interface, amazing network scanning integration

Cons: Where is the duplex??? Bottom tray has B5 minimum (no 4x6 or envelope), abrassive noise while printing,

Summary: Perhaps a good choice, but not if you have had a Canon in the past. By this, I am referring to the standard features and quality that you might be accustomed to. For instance, I "upgraded" from a Canon ip4000 to this unit. This is the first AIO or printer in a while from Canon that has had an individual ink cartridge system, but no duplexing. It seems that this would have been an easy and logical thing to add, especially as its predicessor, the MP530 had this feature.

Although this is not a "deal-breaker" for everyone, it certainly is a disappointment. It should also be noted that STAPLES advertised "Automatic 2-sided printing" in its most recent Columbus Day 2007 national circular. Whoops.

Also noticed immediately was the rather abrasive sound that this unit makes while printing. As the unit is quite new, none of the local retailers have one on display yet to verify if my specamine is defunct or if it is just the nature of the unit's design. The source of the harsh, scraping sound seems to be the data ribbon attatched to the connects the cartridge assembly rubbing on the chassis. Not only is this annoying, but potentially problematic.
This aside, the print and scan quality seem to be up to par with Canon's signiture itty-bitty 1-2 picoliter ink droplet technology.

Another notable feature is the network scanning. As you press the scan button on the front of the unit, immediately it prompts you with the list of PCs that are connected to the unit and have the software installed. In my case it shows the Local USB machine and the laptop "Nichole" on the network. After selecting the recipient of the scan job, you are prompted with the option of document or photo scanning from the ADF or platen scanner. From this point, the final screen gives the option to save directly to the PC, save as PDF, attatch to Email, or open with Canon's application. This seems to work smooth as silk.

Multiple trays are something that, like duplexing, has been rather standard on medium- and high-end Canon machines. Although they didn't deprive this model of the dual trays, they did restrict the bottom tray to a limited range of paper sizes. Only B5 through Legal may be loaded. This discounts most envelopes, some photo paper, and various other small stocks that can only be loaded in the top tray.

What seems to be the moral of the story is that the MX700 is not a suitable replacement to the MP530 model, of similar price, size, and recommended use. It is, instead, laterally placed and perhaps slightly below the MP530.

I don't plan to keep my MX700 around too much longer. There's a 14-day return policy and the Office Depot where I purchased it, so it gets a few more days to prove itself. Hopefully they still have the MP530 or MP830 then.