I used to have a mutifunction HP printer. It did everything: Print, scan, copy, fax, iron the underwear. It worked pretty well, but after a while I grew annoyed with the print driver. It was a bit too fussy for my tastes. The bundled software wasn’t very impressive. I didn’t use the fax function at all. My overall impression was that it was time to try something new.
So when it came time to replace the HP, I opted for a Canon. I really enjoy using my Canon digital camera, and I’d read good things about the Pixma line. So I plunked down the cash (about $300, depending on where you buy). Setup was easy and fast, and Canon’s software just felt more Mac-like than the HP software. To be fair, HP’s printer software may have advanced since I bought the HP three or four years ago. But still, kudos to Canon.
The MP810 spits out print jobs quickly, and I’m happy with the print quality. These are both important qualities, because I find myself printing from home far more often than I thought I would when I first started law school. It’s no fun trying to read a 50-page journal article on-screen.
Just for the heck of it, I printed a file from iPhoto on normal multipurpose paper. I was astounded at how good it looked. I tried the same thing with photo paper and I was just as surprised. The image was properly saturated. The dark areas didn’t turn into black lumps, and the bright areas didn’t get blown out. While this printer isn’t designed for professional photography work, I’m not a professional photographer. I just like knowing that I can get nicely printed photos when I need them.
I have some old slides and negatives from the Dark Ages (aka the mid-1980s to mid-1990s), that I’ve long wanted to scan. The MP810’s clever transparency adopter won’t replace drum scanners any time soon, but for my purposes it works quite well. I’m particularly impressed with how well the scanning software and the transparency inserts for the MP810 work together. The directions are easy, the scans don’t take too long, and the results are good. I’ve scanned a few of the old transparencies so far, and with a bit of Photoshop work, I’ve even salvaged some really messed up, underexposed images. Again, this isn’t for professionals, but for an amateur like me it’s quite handy.
The copy function works quickly and efficiently, and the flip-up color display on the front of the MP810 is easy to navigate.
I use the Pixma MP810 over my AirPort network, and so far it has worked flawlessly in that regard. Unfortunately when I want to make scans I have to take out an Ethernet [correction: USB cable] and manually connect my PowerBook to the MP810. This isn’t really so terrible, but I’ve just grown used to living wirelessly. I’m spoiled, I know.
For other opinions about this printer, check out the reviews at Amazon.
15 Comments
I guess all the features mentioned are nice, but I bough a $130 laser printer from Samsung 4 years ago (ML 1430 I think), and it is amazing. Prints about 30 pages per minute, gets 3000 pages to a $50 ink cartridge, and is generally a fantastic deal.
That sounds like a sweet deal. I actually looked into a laser printer but decided that I really wanted the ability to scan negatives. However, I recognize that this is not a need for most people.
I wish I could glow as much bout my iP4200 Canon printer. The printer itself is fast but the costs incurred with the cartridges are prohibitive, especially since Canon, some 18-24 months fter releasing the printer, still does not offer a color multipack to save it’s customers some money. I literally have to spend $50 to get it to print color every 4-6 months, nevermind the seoerate $30 every 7-8 motnhs for two separate types of black cartridges.
The final insult has to do with printer drivers. Canon does not support wireless network use of its printer driver on the MAC (but does on the PC). This is sometimes is an unacceptable PITA, especially when it’s late and your paper is due in 6 hours….
Michael,
Thanks for the comment. A couple of things about printers bother me:
1) It’s difficult to get clear comparisons about how much it really costs to use a particular printer, because there are no truly useful sources of information that offer detailed comparisons between various printers. So far I feel that my Canon is putting out more ink per cartridge than my old HP did, but that’s just a feeling that I haven’t quantified.
2) Print drivers are so variable. This seems to be particularly true for multifunction printers. I have yet to hear of a printer company that delivers truly solid drivers across their entire lineup. Maybe I need to dig further, though.
I’m having a similar problem getting my cannon mp180 to network with my powerbook. Why is it that mac’s seem to be in the dark ages when it comes to interfacing with peripherals? I’m soo frustrated!
Snoova,
When you say “networking” do you mean wireless? Are you using AirPort? I’ve never had any difficulties using AirPort with a wireless-capable printer, so I’ve never tried wirelessly connecting to the printer through other means.
Erik,
How exactly is your MP810 connected to AirPort network?
Hi Norton,
I have the MP810 connected to an AirPort base station (snow), via USB. The printer and base station are in my office, and my wife and I can print to it from anwhere in the house.
Hi Erik,
This is the bit that confused me: “Unfortunately when I want to make scans I have to take out an Ethernet cable and manually connect…” Maybe you meant USB cable? It would be great if the MP810 had and ethernet port!
Cheers
D’oh!
Ethernet cable? What was I thinking. You’re right of course, I meant USB.
Well, my ideal one would’ve been an MP810R, but that doesn’t exist. It’s big isn’t it? The other strong candidate would’ve been the wireless b/g + ethernet hp C7180, but it doesn’t print directly on CD/DVDs.
I will most likely get the MP810, rather than spending more on the MP960. While the extra two colours (colors) may appeal to some, I think the MP810 is enough of a winner. Why can’t you give us the R version, Canon?? I was that close to hunting down an MP800R but the scanning optical resolution was poorer.
Thanks for your input, Erik – much appreciated.
well ive bought this thing but i cant scan anything with it.
i have a macbook pro and ive test this printer on windows and it works great but when i use it on my macbook pro i cant scan anything . anyone has any idea ?
Farhad, could you be a bit more specific?
What sort of problem is the scanner giving you? Does the Canon MP Navigator software not show scanning as an option? Does it show scanning as an option, but fail to start scanning once you tell it to?
Have you tried the Canon tech support page?
Very helpful review! I was curious about this printer’s scanning capabilities when working with a Mac, and you answered my question completely. Now I’m ready to pull the trigger.
You’ve done me a great service with this review. Thanks!
Following are the instructions I received from Canon after experiencing set up problems. Hope it helps.
Thank you for your inquiry. We value you as a Canon customer and
apologize for the printing issues you are having with your PIXMA MP810.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee communication with our printers
through a USB connection with an Airport device. We can only guarantee
communication with a direct connection to your computer via USB.
However, please try the following to resolve your issue:
1. Click the Apple at the top and choose ‘System Preferences’.
2. Open the ‘Print and Fax’ menu.
3. Highlight and delete any copies of the Canon Printer listed on the
left by clicking the minus (-) sign.
4. Click the plus (+) sign.
5. Click ‘Default’ on the upper left corner. Wait a few moments, then
highlight the USB version of the printer.
6. Click ‘Add’ on the bottom right corner when it becomes available.
6-1. If using OS 10.4 or earlier, select ‘More Printers’ on the
upper right or bottom right corner.
6-2. Make sure ‘USB’ is selected in the top drop down menu.
6-3. Highlight the printer when it appears and click ‘Add’.
The setup should be complete. Try printing a document to test this
connection.
If this is successful, reconnect the printer to your Airport and perform
the following:
1. Return to the System Preferences window.
2. Open the ‘Print and Fax’ menu.
3. Highlight and delete any copies of the Canon Printer listed on the
left by clicking the minus (-) sign.
4. Click the plus (+) sign.
5. Click ‘Default’ on the upper left corner. Wait a few moments, then
highlight the Bonjour/Airport version of the printer.
6. Click ‘Add’ on the bottom right corner when it becomes available.
6-1. If using OS 10.4 or 10.5, select ‘More Printers’ on the upper
right or bottom right corner.
6-2. Make sure ‘Bonjour/Airport’ is selected in the top drop down
menu.
6-3. Highlight the printer when it appears and click ‘Add’.
If this is successful, try printing a document to test the connection.
If you encounter any errors with the USB connection, please document the
exact error that appears and also tell us what version of OSX is
installed on your computer.
If the USB connection is successful but the Airport connection continues
to fail, please contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 for additional
assistance.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we
can be of any further assistance with your PIXMA MP810.
Thank you for choosing Canon.
Sincerely,
Michael
Technical Support Representative