Canon PIXMA iP3000 Review

Overall Rating

Excellent print quality
Dual paper trays
Duplex printing
CD/DVD printing
Quiet operation

Slow duplex printing

Rather than listing the technical features of the Canon Pixma iP3000, which can be found on the Canon website, I thought it might be more helpful if I described my own findings from everyday use.

Firstly, to choose between this model and the more expensive iP4000, I took up Canon's 'try before you buy' offer and uploaded a good quality digital image to the Canon website. I requested a print from both models, and after receiving them back I showed them to friends for their opinions regarding print quality. Comments varied between no differences, to a slight preference for the colours on the iP3000 image. I also examined the images closely through a magnifying glass and could not discern any difference in print resolution. So, unless you really need a parallel printer port, I would recommend the iP3000, which will save yourself about £20. In practice the extra black cartridge seems to make little or no difference in print quality, and the speed advantage is minimal.

Although colour photo prints on this and the iP4000 are very good, they are not quite up to the standard of the professional Fuji prints obtainable from our local shop. Since 6x4 prints are only 15p each, and photo paper and ink cartridges are expensive, I do not consider it cost effective to print digital photos on a home printer. However, it is possible that larger print sizes, such as A4, might be cost effective.

Normal B&W, and colour printing on A4 ink jet paper is excellent. This printer is quite fast and very quiet in operation. Although duplex printing is on the slow side, in normal use I find this doesn't matter. This is because the paper feed is very reliable, so I can set it going and return later to a pile of sheets, beautifully printed on both sides. Duplex printing is slower as the printer has to allow the ink to dry and turn the paper over.

Printing on CDs/DVDs is excellent, and the software provided is excellent too. If you have used Microsoft's WordArt, then you will feel comfortable using the CD print software. There is a separate feed tray for printing on discs, which have to be fed in by hand one at a time, which is perfectly adequate for home use.

Having a paper tray below the printer is very handy too. I keep A4 ink jet paper in it, and feed envelopes in via the upper tray. This keeps any paper stored in the lower tray free from dust. Also, when the printer is not in use the top and front covers can be closed to keep dust out.

The printer driver software has a couple of useful features that I use. One is the option to power the printer off after it has been out of use for a preset time. The other enables the printer to default to using the lower tray for A4 paper, and the upper tray for other paper sizes. This enables me to print letters and envelopes without having to tell the printer each time which tray to use.

Overall, the iP3000 is an excellent and well designed home printer. So far, I have had no problems with either its print quality or reliability.