Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

SETUP: Pretty much basic for a printer. Although Windows 7 didn't have drivers for the printer, the CD included did. Connection to the PC was uneventful. There is a USB cable provided but you can connect via WiFI. PROS: SMALL FOOTPRINT/size for a printer + scanner: This is a good choice if you don't want a huge printer taking up a lot of desk space. It is about the same size as my previous printer BUT it includes a scanner. DUPLEX PRINTING: -(aka double sided) printing. - for things such as archived TAX RETURNS. PRINT QUALITY: It has very good photo and document print quality. Don't forget to ALIGN the print heads! INK CARTRIDGES: When you replace the cartridge, you also replace the -heads- so the print quality doesn't deteriorate from extended use or time. There are only two (1-black and 1-color)cartridges so you aren't having to replace a a single cartridge as often. SIMPLE CONTROL PANEL: Easy to use control panel without multiple menus to complicate what should be a simple job. CONS: INK CARTRIDGES: (YES-PRO & CON) When you replace the cartridge, you also replace the -heads-. So you will pay MORE for ink cartridges. You may have to replace a color cartridge before all the colors are out. SOFTWARE: The software that is included is pretty much useless. What I like to do when printing pictures is print four pictures on a standard 8 1/2" x 11" sheet. (for obvious reasons - printing on separate 4" x 6" will cost you much more) The software provided, My Image Garden) does not allow this. However, other Canon software does. The product is EASYPHOTOPRINT and it works with this printer. OVERALL: If you want a small footprint printer/scanner this might fit your needs. This has an easy to use control panel for offline use but if you want a color LCD screen this is not the printer for you. INK USAGE: I am very disappointed by the ink use. Having used the printer for a while I can report that after printing exactly -10- 81/2x11 sheets of photos, the color ink ran out! I don't know how much more ink is in the XL cartridges or how much longer they last but the cost per page is very expensive at that rate. UPDATE: After installing a NEW ink cartridge I found that the one shipped with the printer was lacking in ink quantity. AND - there are now re-ink kits available should you choose to use them.