It doesn't seem likely that one device could be all things to all people, but the Canon PIXMA MP780 is the closest thing we've seen yet. It has a feature set that would leave few wanting, and is capable of professional results. Not only that, but this is by far the quickest inkjet in this roundup. It aced every test except for the OCR scan, and even then was only beaten by three seconds.
As an all-in-one device it shares a lot of features boasted by other peripherals in the Canon range, such as CD printing and a full CCD scanner rather than the cheaper CIS- or LED-based engine. It is billed as the ultimate office solution but it would also be suitable for amateur digital photographers. In fact, it is the equal of the photo-specific Epson when it comes to digital prints, but with additional SOHO features and at the same price. It was certainly the most consistent of the MFDs when it came to print and scan quality.
It is easy to maintain, and it has five separate ink tanks, as opposed to the HP's two, which makes it be more economical to run. The unit is very rugged, but the only minor problem is that there is an external cable connecting the lid of the scanner to the body; it's well shielded but it does stick out.
The MP780 is also the largest and heaviest unit here at over 13 kilograms -- you'll need a fair amount of space to accommodate this printer. In the usability stakes the buttons are well laid out, the paper trays work seamlessly, and the software is very to use
This is a superior machine, with more than enough features to keep most people happy, and is easily the winner of this month's roundup.
