I bought this unit as my laser printer was just too much wrt toner costs. I also wanted a wireless printer to share between all my computers (PC and Mac/iphone).
It is low cost (really low cost), and the print quality (at this price point) is great.
The reason that I'm not happy with this product, like I should be is just how poorly thought out the software is. During install, you basically are going to be loading up with a number of bloatware features (trying to not install these resulted in weird artifacts/or the software you need just not installing).
Also there's a little bubble that sit's on your desktop - really annoying. After all, I wanted a printer and a printer really should just work in the background without the need to be seen by me every time i use my computer.
Finally, the settings. The settings are crazy. First - no matter what I try, I can't get the printer to print in the proper order. Out of the box with all the defaults, I found that when I print a document - it prints in reverse order. Unacceptable. Going through the settings - I can't find the setting to lock this down. So I have to remember each time that I print to 'reverse' print order.
Also, there's a 'silent' feature. I haven't a clue what this does. It does make the printer a bit more silent, but it's not default. If there's some software to make the printer work just as well, but with less noise - shouldn't this be default?
Again, the install was a mess. Installing across computers (PC or Mac) was not fun. The fact that the settings were/are not correct out of the box, not fun. The bloatware/and the weird bubble that shows up on my desktops - really NOT fun. If the unit printed at lightening speed or completely silent, perhaps then I could overlook the poorly designed software - but it doesn't. The printer is just average.
I'm giving the OK rating because the print quality is average, the cost overall is great, and the software is poor. So it's just so/so. Canon PIXMA MP495 Wireless Inkjet Photo All-In-One (4499B026)
1) Choosing a printer:
Need a new printer, one to replace my HP D1660 that has been nothing but problems, you get what you pay for. Shopping around and reading consumer reviews, and Consumer Reports gave both Canon and Epson printers high marks. Cheap ink price with Canon was the selling point, see the ** at the bottom of review. While I do shop a lot for electronics online, and got most of my stuff through Amazon, Amazon did not have the lowest price for the printer, Wal Mart priced in at $59.99. For its price, even if you pay the six dollar's more with Amazon, you still get a great deal for what this printer can do.
2) Setting up printer:
Setting up the printer was easy for me, and there are two ways to set it up to use on you Wireless Network. The faster way is using the USB cable that comes with the printer by plugging it in to your computer. When you start installing the driver for the printer, asks you if you would like to us it on WLAN Network. If you choose yes the driver install does the rest, grabbing the PSK from your computer. The other way is to much work if you ask me, and that involves WPA using thing maintenance button on the printer.
3) Using printer
Copying using the printer, while it is not the kind of copier you find in an office, it does however copy every well. The only choose you have for enlarging the document is the Fit to Page button: In my opinion that is all that is needed for home use and most office use. You can choose the number of copies to make, with the number being displayed on the LED display. A plus when copying with the printer, it auto detects the right shade level to use. Scanning with the printer, takes a bit more work when setup for Wireless use, and there are a few ways to scan documents and/or pictures. One: Is the Scan button on the Printer, (Note this feature does not work if you have the printer setup via the WLAN). Two: Using the auto scan via Canon Solution Menu EX located in the Taskbar. Three: Using scanners driver via the MP Navigator EX 4.0 and using the scanners driver you can set the scanning dpi resolution higher. Using the Auto Scan feature does yelled good scans, and the only time that I have found that I needed to use the scanners drive, was when scanning older pictures. *Note; if you using the print via the WLAN then you will need the scanning software that comes with the printer, otherwise Windows Live Photo Gallery can be used to scan. Other thing is, if you scan other things then photo then you will like the scanning software for the printer, lettered and graphic documents can be converted to PDF, which I find very handy. Printing with the printer, yields good results better than any printer I have had mostly due to the fact that page comes out evenly, and it does use about one cent extra ink. Documents that have simple graphics, printer very well under fast mode, the only time that I have a need to set it higher is when printer multi-color documents that need to have a higher dpi. Photo printing with the printer, is what makes this printer a great buy; and best thing about this printer is how photo's come out looking like photo lab pictures. You can print with or without borders, though I find without borders to look the best. The software that comes with the printer is a bit clucky, and is unneeded if you are already using a program to organize you photo's. If you do not do any hardcore photo editing, other than getting read of redeye, or gray scaling, then Windows Live Photo Gallery is all you need. Picasa is another great program for organize you photo's, that does a little more; and it is free. One thing that I found with printing great looking photo's, is picking the right kind of photo paper, and using the right photo print settings. I use HP Glossy Premium Photo Paper, and have great results.
4) Pros:
a) Wireless printing
b) One touch Auto Scanning, (does not work when printer is setup on a WLAN Network.
c) Photo Printing
d) iPhone and Android printing by way of a printer app for the phones.
e) Cheap in price, but not in quality, $59.99 at Wal Mart.
f) *Low ink indicator LED for both color and black ink on printer.
g) **Low ink cost.
h) WPA and WPA2 and 802.11b/g/n
5) Cons:
a) Auto Scan via the printer does not work when printer is setup to work on WLAN.
b) Clunky software for photo printing and scanning.
c) ***Ink not refillable.
d) Scanning default set at 300dpi.
6) Overview:
When shopping around for a printer, found that Canon printers had happy users, and for the price this one is a must have if you looking for a multifunction (printer, scanner and copier). Even if you are in the market for just a printer, go ahead and get this one; you will not be disappointed.
* The My Printer program can also be used to indicate when ink is low, but the indicator LED's means one less program needs to be installed.
** Amazon has the Black PG-210XL at $16.99 and the CL-211XL at 21.99. Wal Marts price is $21.98 for the PG-210XL, and for the CL-211XL $28.84. Plus with Amazon the shipping for ink is free, and there is no tax.
*** Due to the ink level indicator of the ink cartridge of this type being unable to be rest, there is a high defect rate of refilled PG-210 and CL-211. However the cartridges can still be recycled at your local printer ink store. - Canon Printer - Inkjet - All In One Printer - Multifunction Printer'
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