Canon Pixma MX860 All-In-One InkJet Printer
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- Black Print Speed: 8.4 inch/min
- Color Print Speed: 5.6 inch/min
- Output Type: Color Printer
- Technology (Detailed): Inkjet
- Printer Type: All-In-One Printer
- All-in-One Functions: Copier Fax Machine Scanner
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Canon's "All-in-One" is All That and Some.
Pros
It ain't heavy. It's not my Brother.
Cons
You must be gifted at following instructions. Or not.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you want something reliable and affordable, then Canon's All-in-One PIXMA MX860 will do the job.
I rarely write about gadgets, possibly because I’m a gadget-phobe, or because too much work goes into drafting an article on techno-junk (I’m not quite a geek). I’m not sure I believe that more is better, but I’ve been chastised in the past for my inadequate depth of detail in my articles about technical purchases. I stand by my defense that because the real way to get to know how something works is to read the instructions, I don't want to bore you by reciting them verbatim. So--I’ll just say what I want to say, and you can grade me accordingly.
I bought my Canon Multifunction PIXMA MX860 series Office all in One... thing? I mean, what is it? It copies, it prints, it faxes and scans - so just what is it? The Canon instruction manual cover doesn’t say, either. It just says that it’s a series. Perhaps they can’t decide what it does best, so in deference to all its abilities, I guess it’s up to you to decide. Well, I call it a printer and fax machine.
Returning to my original sentence started in the paragraph above, I bought my Canon [printer/fax machine] at the same time that I bought my Apple MAC. I was given a $100 rebate, which was duly executed about 2 months after purchasing the machine. In fact, the Apple store filled it out and sent it from its store to ensure that it would be honored. Trust me, I would have lost it by now.
I wasn’t sure how I would be able to use it because I signed up for the device without thinking, overwhelmed was I by the price tag of my machine, wondering if I made a mistake. I brought it home and let it sit around for a couple of weeks on the floor, so overwhelmed at the prospect of being able to use my Vonage account with the fax modem of the machine.
I hated putting everything together. The ink cartridges go into a narrow space that’s hard to reach and the impulse is to open the cover very wide (but I dare not for fear that I can break it). So, it’s quite awkward putting the cartridges inside. In fact, you feel like a dentist, putting in a filling. The instructions aren’t helpful, even with the pictures. I think the manual could have magnified the pictures a bit more. There’s something to be said for accurate drawings; there’s another thing to be able to use the drawings to find what you’re looking for in the real machine. There’s so much white space on the manual that it’s a shame that the pictures are so small. It took me about 1 hour to figure out where the print cartridges actually go, and what makes it more intimidating is that you have to insert the print head where the cartridges are supposed to go. That’s a bit much, I think. I used a magnifying glass (okay, my eyesight is bad) in hopes that it would help, but it didn’t really. I had a lot of trial and error and was terrified that I’d break something that I laughed when every thing kind of “clicked” into its proper place.
Although I was on auto-pilot when I bought it, in retrospect I am glad that I did. It does so much automatically, itself, you barely have to be conscious when you use it! That’s an overstatement, but it really is quite wonderful. Oddly, the manual instructions are quite difficult to understand. Yet, once it’s plugged in, you can intuit how to use it because it has a button for practically everything. When in doubt, push a button.
Honestly, I thought it was going to be a piece of junk; after all, it was a concession prize for having to pay so much for my 24” iMAC. After that debacle of putting in the cartridges, I told myself to keep it simple now, and I ignored the issues surrounding connectivity between two computers, and using wireless this with router that, etc. I just plugged it in to see if I could copy a page on it--it worked. Okay, so it’s now worth its $100. I can make copies. But I have a copier. A Sharp AR i68S for office use so technically, I don’t even need the Canon. Truthfully, I just left the Canon machine alone for another month or two, and after returning from a long absence from it, decided it was time to get it working.
If you care to, and there's no reason you should, you can read my earlier epinion about my Brother Phone/Fax. However, I was excoriated for not telling more about its features. That earlier purchase was a tepid one, and I didn’t really like the machine, again, because it had about 40 pages of instructions. So here I am again, with another contraption, and I'm still nervous about linking my new Canon THING to my Vonage VOIP telephone account. It was simpler than I thought, however, because as long as I could take the fax line from the Brother Fax/Phone to the Canon device, it would turn out okay (and it did).
Again, the Canon manual was the equivalent of a Math exam as it had different set up flows based upon the type of connection. A USB connection required reading pages 26,30, and 43; a Wireless LAN connection required reading Pages, 16, 26, 31 and 43. Yikes. Do you know the difference between WPS and WCN? I don’t. And I was setting up a network. How I got through it is a blank, honestly. However, using the machine buttons itself seemed to be easier. Pressing the proper button for the type of connection required you to follow a sequence on the machine that somehow made it easier to set up.
Oh, wait. I forgot. I called CANON, who helped me set it up. In fact, they were excellent. That’s what you should do, too. Really. Save your self 2 hours of research. They are patient.
Okay, have I written enough?
No? Okay, here are my impressions: I like the machine although it copies pretty slowly and the tray at the bottom of the machine is a little nerve-wracking. It’s hard to know if you’re inserting it right after new paper is put in it, because it just kind of finds its place. Hopefully. I do think it’s a GREAT fax machine, however. It’s so easy to use. It scans your document and sends it, and gives you a record. I love the fax. It has totally replaced my Brother fax. Scanning? Nice, too. It’s pretty cool. Again, you hit the menu button and follow the instructions. It even asks you to which computer you wish to send the scan, if you’re on a network.
The Canon copier allows for black and white copies, and color copies. I have yet to find a button for default to black and white, so I don’t waste ink. So I just push the button for black copies before I print anything. I didn’t see anything in the instructions (but you know, by now, how far that gets me). Hey, I like the machine, but this isn’t a college assignment, so I’m outta here. But I hope you get the idea of the machine. It’s a very good one. If you can read instructions, it’s probably wonderful. And if you don’t, just push buttons. It’ll all come together after a phone call to Canon’s customer service department, which is excellent.
The End. I'm sure I could say more. But I'm tired of the voice in my head.
Post script: I had my first paper jam. The machine told me where to locate it using text, but no drawings. The manual can be downloaded, however, so I went to my desktop to find the reference pages to Paper-Jams. There the drawings were larger and it showed me exactly how to unjam it.
P.S.S. There are effectively 3 trays in which to store paper. One rear tray, a bottom tray and a document tray that loads two or more sheets of papers of the same size and thickness. I use it to fax. P.S.S.S. I had to call for tech support because my Canon would not print, yet it would receive faxes. I had downloaded the new upgrade to MAC's Snow Leopard and didn't check my printer. Luckily, I was walked through the instructions and it worked fine. But here's why I'm writing: DO NOT DISCARD YOUR INK WHEN IT SAYS "LOW INK." Keep your cartridge in until it doesn't print anymore. I have wasted hundreds of dollars taking the cartridges out at the earliest mention of low ink. NOT. Keep it in until the color doesn't print anymore. Wow. I will be saving even more money in the future. ALSO: This tech support guy showed me how to change my default to Black ink, so as not to waste the color ink. Go to a document, press Print, make sure the screen says Presets - black. Again, I could find no such instruction in the manual, but I haven't looked since learning the info. The Bottom line? Buy it and get the warranty and be sure to call frequently so you can know everything you can about it... especially as the instructions are so voluminous.
For the skeptics who didn't believe that it would take too long to describe the features of the buttons, knock yourselves out (this is from the online CanonMX860 series Basic Guide which is copyrighted by Canon -- it is displayed not to earn income but under principles of fair use, to provide the techno cognoscenti with the details they prefer when poring over techno reviews):
(1) ON button
Turns the power on or off. Before turning on the power, make sure that the Document Cover is closed.
Note
The machine cannot receive faxes when the power is turned off.
The power cannot be turned off while the machine is sending or receiving a fax, or when there are unsent faxes in the machine's memory.
(2) COPY button
Switches the machine to copy mode. Flashes when you turn on the machine.
(3) FAX button
Switches the machine to fax mode.
(4) SCAN button
Switches the machine to scan mode.
(5) MEMORY CARD button
Switches the machine to memory card mode.
(6) FAX Quality button
Selects the scan contrast and resolution of the fax you are sending.
(7) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
Displays messages, menu selections, and the operational status.
Note
(8) Menu button
Displays the menu screen.
(9) Settings button
Changes the available settings in each mode such as page size, media type, image correction, etc.
(10) Numeric buttons
Used to enter numerical values such as the number of copies, as well as fax/telephone numbers and characters.
(11) Redial/Pause button
Displays the list of numbers dialed with the Numeric buttons to redial the selected number.
Also, used to enter pause time between or after numbers when dialing or registering numbers for example International calls.
(12) Coded Dial button
The list of registered names appears in the Search TEL number screen, and use the button to display the coded speed dial codes in the list. You can specify the destination's number from the list of registered names or the list of coded speed dial codes.
In the list of registered names, enter the first letter of a pre-registered name to search a pre-registered fax/telephone number or group. You can also use the (Up) or (Down) button to select a desired destination.
In the list of coded speed dial codes, enter a two-digit code to select a desired destination.
(13) Black button
Starts to make black & white print, copy, scan, fax, etc.
(14) Stop button
Cancels operation when print, transmission, or scan job is in progress.
(15) Color button
Starts to make color print, copy, scan, fax, etc.
(16) Hook button
Connects or disconnects the telephone line.
(17) Tone button
In the fax mode, switches to tone dialing temporarily or used to dial with the Numeric buttons, and also changes the input mode when entering characters.
In the memory card mode, used to crop a part of photo (trimming).
(18) Two-Sided button
Specifies the settings for duplex copying.
(19) (Up) (Down) (Left) (Right) buttons
Scrolls through menu selections and increases/decreases setting values, such as the number of copies.You can use these buttons when (Up), (Down), (Right), and (Left) are displayed on the LCD.Also, the (Left) button cancels the entered character, and the (Right) button enters a space between characters when entering characters.
(20) OK button
Selects a menu or setting item. See file:///Applications/Canon Utilities/IJ Manual/MX860 series/English/BasicGuide9n.help/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/Bg-AboutThisMachine3.html.
Resolves an error when printing is in progress or resumes the machine's normal operation after removing jammed paper or to eject documents remaining in the ADF.
(21) Back button
Cancels operations and returns the LCD to the previous screen.
(22) Change Display button
Switches the image display in the memory card mode to the full-screen display or four-image display.
(23) One-Touch Speed Dial buttons
Used to dial pre-registered fax/telephone numbers or groups with a simple operation.
I bought my Canon Multifunction PIXMA MX860 series Office all in One... thing? I mean, what is it? It copies, it prints, it faxes and scans - so just what is it? The Canon instruction manual cover doesn’t say, either. It just says that it’s a series. Perhaps they can’t decide what it does best, so in deference to all its abilities, I guess it’s up to you to decide. Well, I call it a printer and fax machine.
Returning to my original sentence started in the paragraph above, I bought my Canon [printer/fax machine] at the same time that I bought my Apple MAC. I was given a $100 rebate, which was duly executed about 2 months after purchasing the machine. In fact, the Apple store filled it out and sent it from its store to ensure that it would be honored. Trust me, I would have lost it by now.
I wasn’t sure how I would be able to use it because I signed up for the device without thinking, overwhelmed was I by the price tag of my machine, wondering if I made a mistake. I brought it home and let it sit around for a couple of weeks on the floor, so overwhelmed at the prospect of being able to use my Vonage account with the fax modem of the machine.
I hated putting everything together. The ink cartridges go into a narrow space that’s hard to reach and the impulse is to open the cover very wide (but I dare not for fear that I can break it). So, it’s quite awkward putting the cartridges inside. In fact, you feel like a dentist, putting in a filling. The instructions aren’t helpful, even with the pictures. I think the manual could have magnified the pictures a bit more. There’s something to be said for accurate drawings; there’s another thing to be able to use the drawings to find what you’re looking for in the real machine. There’s so much white space on the manual that it’s a shame that the pictures are so small. It took me about 1 hour to figure out where the print cartridges actually go, and what makes it more intimidating is that you have to insert the print head where the cartridges are supposed to go. That’s a bit much, I think. I used a magnifying glass (okay, my eyesight is bad) in hopes that it would help, but it didn’t really. I had a lot of trial and error and was terrified that I’d break something that I laughed when every thing kind of “clicked” into its proper place.
Although I was on auto-pilot when I bought it, in retrospect I am glad that I did. It does so much automatically, itself, you barely have to be conscious when you use it! That’s an overstatement, but it really is quite wonderful. Oddly, the manual instructions are quite difficult to understand. Yet, once it’s plugged in, you can intuit how to use it because it has a button for practically everything. When in doubt, push a button.
Honestly, I thought it was going to be a piece of junk; after all, it was a concession prize for having to pay so much for my 24” iMAC. After that debacle of putting in the cartridges, I told myself to keep it simple now, and I ignored the issues surrounding connectivity between two computers, and using wireless this with router that, etc. I just plugged it in to see if I could copy a page on it--it worked. Okay, so it’s now worth its $100. I can make copies. But I have a copier. A Sharp AR i68S for office use so technically, I don’t even need the Canon. Truthfully, I just left the Canon machine alone for another month or two, and after returning from a long absence from it, decided it was time to get it working.
If you care to, and there's no reason you should, you can read my earlier epinion about my Brother Phone/Fax. However, I was excoriated for not telling more about its features. That earlier purchase was a tepid one, and I didn’t really like the machine, again, because it had about 40 pages of instructions. So here I am again, with another contraption, and I'm still nervous about linking my new Canon THING to my Vonage VOIP telephone account. It was simpler than I thought, however, because as long as I could take the fax line from the Brother Fax/Phone to the Canon device, it would turn out okay (and it did).
Again, the Canon manual was the equivalent of a Math exam as it had different set up flows based upon the type of connection. A USB connection required reading pages 26,30, and 43; a Wireless LAN connection required reading Pages, 16, 26, 31 and 43. Yikes. Do you know the difference between WPS and WCN? I don’t. And I was setting up a network. How I got through it is a blank, honestly. However, using the machine buttons itself seemed to be easier. Pressing the proper button for the type of connection required you to follow a sequence on the machine that somehow made it easier to set up.
Oh, wait. I forgot. I called CANON, who helped me set it up. In fact, they were excellent. That’s what you should do, too. Really. Save your self 2 hours of research. They are patient.
Okay, have I written enough?
No? Okay, here are my impressions: I like the machine although it copies pretty slowly and the tray at the bottom of the machine is a little nerve-wracking. It’s hard to know if you’re inserting it right after new paper is put in it, because it just kind of finds its place. Hopefully. I do think it’s a GREAT fax machine, however. It’s so easy to use. It scans your document and sends it, and gives you a record. I love the fax. It has totally replaced my Brother fax. Scanning? Nice, too. It’s pretty cool. Again, you hit the menu button and follow the instructions. It even asks you to which computer you wish to send the scan, if you’re on a network.
The Canon copier allows for black and white copies, and color copies. I have yet to find a button for default to black and white, so I don’t waste ink. So I just push the button for black copies before I print anything. I didn’t see anything in the instructions (but you know, by now, how far that gets me). Hey, I like the machine, but this isn’t a college assignment, so I’m outta here. But I hope you get the idea of the machine. It’s a very good one. If you can read instructions, it’s probably wonderful. And if you don’t, just push buttons. It’ll all come together after a phone call to Canon’s customer service department, which is excellent.
The End. I'm sure I could say more. But I'm tired of the voice in my head.
Post script: I had my first paper jam. The machine told me where to locate it using text, but no drawings. The manual can be downloaded, however, so I went to my desktop to find the reference pages to Paper-Jams. There the drawings were larger and it showed me exactly how to unjam it.
P.S.S. There are effectively 3 trays in which to store paper. One rear tray, a bottom tray and a document tray that loads two or more sheets of papers of the same size and thickness. I use it to fax. P.S.S.S. I had to call for tech support because my Canon would not print, yet it would receive faxes. I had downloaded the new upgrade to MAC's Snow Leopard and didn't check my printer. Luckily, I was walked through the instructions and it worked fine. But here's why I'm writing: DO NOT DISCARD YOUR INK WHEN IT SAYS "LOW INK." Keep your cartridge in until it doesn't print anymore. I have wasted hundreds of dollars taking the cartridges out at the earliest mention of low ink. NOT. Keep it in until the color doesn't print anymore. Wow. I will be saving even more money in the future. ALSO: This tech support guy showed me how to change my default to Black ink, so as not to waste the color ink. Go to a document, press Print, make sure the screen says Presets - black. Again, I could find no such instruction in the manual, but I haven't looked since learning the info. The Bottom line? Buy it and get the warranty and be sure to call frequently so you can know everything you can about it... especially as the instructions are so voluminous.
For the skeptics who didn't believe that it would take too long to describe the features of the buttons, knock yourselves out (this is from the online CanonMX860 series Basic Guide which is copyrighted by Canon -- it is displayed not to earn income but under principles of fair use, to provide the techno cognoscenti with the details they prefer when poring over techno reviews):
(1) ON button
Turns the power on or off. Before turning on the power, make sure that the Document Cover is closed.
Note
The machine cannot receive faxes when the power is turned off.
The power cannot be turned off while the machine is sending or receiving a fax, or when there are unsent faxes in the machine's memory.
(2) COPY button
Switches the machine to copy mode. Flashes when you turn on the machine.
(3) FAX button
Switches the machine to fax mode.
(4) SCAN button
Switches the machine to scan mode.
(5) MEMORY CARD button
Switches the machine to memory card mode.
(6) FAX Quality button
Selects the scan contrast and resolution of the fax you are sending.
(7) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
Displays messages, menu selections, and the operational status.
Note
(8) Menu button
Displays the menu screen.
(9) Settings button
Changes the available settings in each mode such as page size, media type, image correction, etc.
(10) Numeric buttons
Used to enter numerical values such as the number of copies, as well as fax/telephone numbers and characters.
(11) Redial/Pause button
Displays the list of numbers dialed with the Numeric buttons to redial the selected number.
Also, used to enter pause time between or after numbers when dialing or registering numbers for example International calls.
(12) Coded Dial button
The list of registered names appears in the Search TEL number screen, and use the button to display the coded speed dial codes in the list. You can specify the destination's number from the list of registered names or the list of coded speed dial codes.
In the list of registered names, enter the first letter of a pre-registered name to search a pre-registered fax/telephone number or group. You can also use the (Up) or (Down) button to select a desired destination.
In the list of coded speed dial codes, enter a two-digit code to select a desired destination.
(13) Black button
Starts to make black & white print, copy, scan, fax, etc.
(14) Stop button
Cancels operation when print, transmission, or scan job is in progress.
(15) Color button
Starts to make color print, copy, scan, fax, etc.
(16) Hook button
Connects or disconnects the telephone line.
(17) Tone button
In the fax mode, switches to tone dialing temporarily or used to dial with the Numeric buttons, and also changes the input mode when entering characters.
In the memory card mode, used to crop a part of photo (trimming).
(18) Two-Sided button
Specifies the settings for duplex copying.
(19) (Up) (Down) (Left) (Right) buttons
Scrolls through menu selections and increases/decreases setting values, such as the number of copies.You can use these buttons when (Up), (Down), (Right), and (Left) are displayed on the LCD.Also, the (Left) button cancels the entered character, and the (Right) button enters a space between characters when entering characters.
(20) OK button
Selects a menu or setting item. See file:///Applications/Canon Utilities/IJ Manual/MX860 series/English/BasicGuide9n.help/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/Bg-AboutThisMachine3.html.
Resolves an error when printing is in progress or resumes the machine's normal operation after removing jammed paper or to eject documents remaining in the ADF.
(21) Back button
Cancels operations and returns the LCD to the previous screen.
(22) Change Display button
Switches the image display in the memory card mode to the full-screen display or four-image display.
(23) One-Touch Speed Dial buttons
Used to dial pre-registered fax/telephone numbers or groups with a simple operation.
