Multi-function devices are all the go at the moment, busily printing, scanning and faxing their little socks off. But many people just want a quality printer that can handle A4 paper and sizes right down to business cards, as well as offering the opportunity to label a pile of CD/DVDs.
These tasks the Canon iP6600D six-colour inkjet printer does with aplomb and will appeal to photographers and general office types alike. The printer also has a dual-paper path so you can load different types of print media and use it for double-sided printing without removing and reloading the paper.
If you have a small office always desperate for desk space you will be happy the Canon represents a relatively small footprint, but still manages to offer a generous 13-button top deck control panel to drive the machine. These controls surround the large 8.9 cm LCD screen, which tilts through a useful arc for operator viewing.
Setting up
Software drivers and PDF manuals are contained on the supplied CD-ROM, along with software. One of them, Easy-PhotoPrint, is an application program that aids printing as well as helping with image corrections and enhancements; another application, CD-LabelPrint provides a label-sized template to construct and print your CD and DVD labels.
The paper is loaded into a tilted rear tray and, once printed, the sheets issue from a slot at the front of the printer. To print CDs, a feeder tray is slotted into the lower front face; this accepts the printable CDs, which, in the printing process, are placed on a holder, slid into the printer and the final printed effort then returns to the same spot.
Features
Aside from the welcome ability to output prints up to A4 in size, the iP6600D is happy to tackle printable 8 and 12 cm CD and DVDs.
Resolution is a high 9600 x 2400 dpi, accomplished by the tiny drop size of one picolitre.
The range of inputs is impressive, right from the hard-to-find USB port at the rear of the printer to a stack of memory card slots, including CompactFlash, Microdrive, SmartMedia, SD/MMC/reduced MMC and mini SD (with optional adaptor), MS (Pro, Pro Duo), xD-Picture Card). These are located at the front, right next to the IrDA sensor and Bluetooth adaptor input. This printer does it all!
The large LCD screen gives access to a wealth of menu options: print numbers, trimming an image for printing, printing an index print and the making of a sample sheet showing nine colour options.
Performance
On test, the printer took one minute 35 seconds to print a full colour photo that filled an A4 sheet of Canon’s Photo Paper Full Glossy paper. The output colour quality was full-blooded, with sharp text resolution and impressive gradients on grey tones. A 10 x 15 cm print consumed just 46 seconds.
Conclusion
This is quite some printer; its minimal size conceals a power of features. A great machine for office and home.
Each cartridge costs $26.95. That?s a total $161.7) for the six required.
Reviewer: Byer Gair
