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In the case of the Canon PIXMA MX700, this product has been designed to deliver fax, print and copy functionality to the small office or home environment.  Following the standard arrangement, the flatbed scanner unit is positioned on top of the inkjet printer.  Adding further to the height of the PIXMA MX700 is an ADF (Automatic Document Feed) unit.

While I am unable to comment on how easy it is to install the ink cartridges – the review unit arrived with this task already completed – the rest of the procedure was trouble-free.  Leads are provided for power and fax but not for USB as is the usual practice.  Various items of software are provided on two CDs – mainly for Windows but some are for the Mac.  A wizard-led operation leads you through the steps that include opting for a single or network set-up plus whether to join an extended survey for providing information regarding the use of the device to Canon.  Included in the supplied software is an on-screen manual (more comprehensive that the printed version); Easy PhotoPrint project based tools; Scansoft OmniPage SE; and Presto! PageManager.

See also: Multifunction printers

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Combining shades of grey with black, the PIXMA MX700 could hardly be described as compact in size (480 x 463 x 239mm) but it does have a reassuring appearance if you are not put off by the mouth-like opening at the front of the unit.  This opening serves the purpose of provided paper input (this can also be carried out from the rear and top of the unit) and output sources while it also features a control panel.

Centrally positioned on this control panel is a 1.8-inch colour LCD screen which can be adjusted to different angles to help with viewing.  Buttons for on/off, copy, fax, scan, memory card content and an option to specify which paper source to use are laid out on the left.  To the right is a compass wheel navigation pad; alphanumeric telephonic keypad, plus buttons to select colour or monochrome output.

The front paper input can hold 110 sheets but does restrict you to a choice of A4, letter or B5 sizes.  For other page sizes you need to make use of the rear paper input which has a capacity of 150 sheets.  The ADF module can handle up to 30 sheets.  A flip-out arm helps retain printed sheets being ejected from the paper output opening.

Dual card slots, concealed behind a cover when not in use, provide support for most popular brands including CF, xD, SD, SDHC, Memory Stick and MultiMediaCard.  While there are two slots, only one can be used at a time.  You can view card stored images on the LCD screen and select the ones you want printed.

The PIXMA MX700 copy options include the ability to scale reproductions.  You can make use of 2 and 4-on-1 copies, borderless and collated copies.  When using the scanner (2400 x 4800 dpi), output can go straight to the printer in photocopy mode; a computer; saved as PDF; or attached to an email.  Fax operations are adequate if a little basic although you can store up to 40 numbers which can be activated by a special coded dial button.

Canon has rated the PIXMA MX700 as a 30/20ppm monochrome/colour device.  My tests produced less impressive figures.  Printing my standard 101-word document produced 23ppm in monochrome using Fast print mode.  This figure was reduced to 16ppm and 7ppm when switching to Standard and High print modes respectively.  Print quality was good in all modes although you might prefer not to use Fast print for important documents.  A half-page colour image churned out 5ppm in Fast mode with a slight drop to 4ppm in Standard mode.  A full colour A4 size image required 129 seconds when printing on photographic paper using High mode.  An A4 colour photocopy was produced in 25 seconds.

Canon has priced the PIXMA MX700 at £179. Replacements cartridges cost £11.99 for black and £9.99 each for the cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges used by this device.

Searching the Internet shows Amazon have the MX700 available for £123.67, including shipping.

Amazon have the Canon Pixma MX700 available for $89.99 including shipping.

Amazon have the Canon Pixma MX700 available for €189,98 including shipping.