Final Take On The Canon Pixma MX310
A few years ago, I received a Canon Pixma MX310 All-in-One Printer as a graduation present. I have owned one for several years and would like to take this moment to share my opinion on the printer's worth to establish a buying suggestion.
The MX310 handles printing, scanning, copying and faxing. I have used all of the fairly extensively with the exception of the Fax feature. Each feature will be discussed separately and I will then talk about about a few other pertinent topics to the printer.
Printing with the MX310 is a snap. The software and manual are comprehensive and simple to get through and I was able to successfully connect the printer and print off a test document within minutes of opening the printer. The printing is fairly speedy and isn't as jam-prone as other printers I've used. The ink usage is fairly high, unfortunately, and the cartridges cannot be refilled, but replacement ink is modestly priced and can be found online for as little as $22 at a reputable dealer like 4inkjets. For the tech geeks, it prints up to 600x600 dpi in monochrome at 22 pages/minute and 4800x1200 dpi in color at 17 pages/minute.
Copying is also easy. The document feeder holds up to 30 pages and the automatic feeder (ADF) works well. As would be expected from the quality Canon brandname, the copies and very crisp and clear. The copying of photos to high-quality photo paper results in photos that are almost impossible to pick out from professionally-developed stills.
The scanner is of similar high quality. My only issue with the printer, it seems, is when it comes to using the scanner feature. I have always had issues getting the printer to shift to the scan function. It will generally take several attemps of pressing the 'scan' button before the machine ambles into the scan function. After the scanning is complete, the quality, however, is great.
My experience with the fax is nonexistent. Online reviews seem to be mixed. The MX310's lack of fax options is a high point of dismay, but the 20-number fax storage capacity is appreciated. Frankly, I would suggest looking elsewhere for reviews about the fax if you really care about its capabilities.
The largest complaint I have with the printer is its awkwardly large size. The thing is huge. It extends over most of my desk! I can't fit my laptop on my desk if the printer is on it. The printer is also very loud. Also, when the printer indicates it is low on ink, there are actually 30-40 pages left (from my experience). I don't know if this in intentional on Canon's part, but it's not very eco-friendly.
Pros: Quality prints, efficient functioning.
Cons: High ink usage, inability to refill ink, unwieldly wize.
Final Verdict: A 3 out of 5. Even given the higher productivity, the negative features of large ink consumption and physical size are really unfortunate. It's a good printer, but I will be looking for smaller, more efficient models when I buy my own.
Try inkcartridges.com for great deals on cheap ink cartridges.