Review Of The Canon MX310 Inkjet Printer
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 the features rather extensively except for the fax component. I will talk about each feature individually and then discuss a few other printer considerations.
Printing with the MX310 is a snap. Within minutes of opening the box, I was able to connect everything and print a test document, thanks in part to the comprehensive installation software and user manual. The print speed is pretty good and I’ve had limited trouble with paper jams compared to other printers I’ve used. Ink usage is rather high, unfortunately, and the ink cartridges cannot be refilled like many other popular models. Replacement ink is not badly priced online, however, where it can be found for as little as $22 from a reputable dealer. For the tech geeks, it prints up to 600×600 dpi in monochrome at 22 pages/minute and 4800×1200 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 brand-name, the copies and very crisp and clear. Copying of photos on photo-quality paper produces products almost impossible to distinguish from professionally developed photos.
Scanning produces similar high-quality results. The scanning feature, however, has always given me cause for an issue. I have a lot of trouble getting the printer into scan mode. Often, I have to press the ‘scan’ button several times before the machine moseys into scan mode. Once the documents are scanner, however, the quality is excellent.
My experience with the fax is nonexistent. From what I’ve seen online, opinions vary. The MX310′s lack of fax options is a high point of dismay, but the 20-number fax storage capacity is appreciated. I would really suggest you try elsewhere for information about the fax’s specific capabilities.
My biggest complaint about this printer is its size. It’s massive. It extends over most of my desk! I can’t fit my laptop on my desk if the printer is on it. I’ve used a variety of printers, so I can also say that the printer is relatively loud. The cartridge will probably still have around 30-40 pages of printing left in it when the low ink-refill light comes up. I don’t know if this in intentional on Canon’s part, but it’s not very eco-friendly.
Pros: Produces high-quality products, functions quickly and without jams.
Cons: Ink glutton, large size. Can’t use ink refills for printers.
My final rating is 3 stars out of 5. Although the printer has high productivity, I just can’t afford to keep replacing ink at the rate I do, and the large size makes it difficult to fit onto a desk. It’s a good printer, but I will be looking for smaller, more efficient models when I buy my own.
