Not quite an 'All-In-One'...but close!. Review on Canon MP730

''The Canon MultiPASS MP730 photo printer, copier, fax and scanner is designed for performance and creativity.'' This machine uses a unique 'Canon Think Tank System?', which makes it easier to use and more affordable.

Set up of Canon MP730:

Relatively easy. Comes with large color brochure with easy picture diagrams. Installation of programs: CD walks you through the process step-by-step with relative ease as well.

Size:

Base is about 12''H X 16''W X 16''L (need a few more inches for clearance of paper feeder)

Printing:

Canon's exclusive Easy-PhotoPrint software makes it fairly easy to print digital photos. You can print directly from your digital camera memory card. The photos produced are ''quality borderless 4'' x 6'', 5'' x 7'' and 8.5'' x 11'' output without a PC''. Canon's advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology? gives you up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution. ''This technology features smaller, more precise ink droplets and provides consistent droplet quality.''

You can print high-quality legal and letter-size copies with speeds up to 22 copies-per-minute(cpm) in black and white, and 14 cpm in colour. Black text comes out with almost laser-like quality. 4 separate ink tanks make it easy to refill or change cartridges.

Graphics come out crisp and clean! And I personally print a lot, so this is very important to me. I also like the gravity-fed paper/document feeder at the back. It even comes with a cover to keep your paper dust-free!

Scanning:

The MP730 flatbed platen glass scans documents (up to legal size)up to 9600 dpi in brilliant 48-bit colour. It takes a few minutes to warm up but once it's ready, it is fairly quick. There are editing features too, which make this scanner very versatile.

Faxing:

The MP730's fax with Canon's Super G3 high-speed facsimile technology and 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder, is excellent for sending fax documents. For someone new to the fax world, I found this feature very easy to use, with visible instruction for the most part. Although, setting up your fax modes/features can be a bit confusing at first.

Problems with the Canon MP730:

My biggest 'beef' with this otherwise super machine is that, after installation, we discovered that the MP730 is NOT COMPATIBLE WITH CALLER ID or CALL DISPLAY! In fact, we found that there are very few (3) multifunction machines that ARE CID compatible!

Tech Support:

After first reaching a US long distance number, I was given a 1-800 number, but it was automated and I was not very patient. Eventually I went online and answered some questions in their Tech Support page, and that is where the ONLY reference to CID was.

Now if I wasn't so happy with all the other features and the quality I'd take it back and get an HP x7130 So if you DON'T have Caller ID and you are looking for an All-In-One multifunction printer/scanner/copier/fax, then the Canon MP730 is for you! As I play with it, I'll let you know if I find any other features or problems.

We have decided to use another line without CID in order to run this machine...for awhile anyway.