🖨️ A Thorough Look Back: Reviewing the Canon PIXMA MX860 Wireless All-In-One Office Printer (Renewed)
The world of office technology evolves rapidly, often leaving yesterday's high-end machines behind. However, for budget-conscious consumers or those seeking a reliable workhorse without the latest price tag, a Renewed unit of a classic model can be an excellent choice. The Canon PIXMA MX860 Wireless All-In-One Office Printer is one such model, a feature-rich multifunction printer (MFP) that, despite its age, still offers substantial utility for a home or small office environment.
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| A Thorough Look Back: Reviewing the Canon PIXMA MX860 Wireless All-In-One Office Printer (Renewed) |
Originally positioned as a high-end office MFP, the MX860 combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into one robust unit. Let's delve into what makes this renewed veteran a compelling option today.
🛠️ Key Features and Design Overview
The PIXMA MX860, while bulky by modern standards, was designed for maximum productivity.
Core Specifications
Functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax (All-in-One)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Ethernet (Wired LAN), USB 2.0, Memory Card Slots, PictBridge
Print Resolution: Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi (Color)
Ink System: 5 Individual Ink Tanks (Pigment Black, Dye Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)
Document Feeder: Integrated 35-Sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF) with Auto Duplex Scanning
Duplexing: Built-in Auto Duplex Printing (Two-sided printing)
Display: 2.5-inch Color LCD
Design and Build
The MX860 has a decidedly office-first aesthetic. It's large and boxy, measuring approximately 19.4 x 17.1 x 8.9 inches and weighing a hefty 26.4 lbs. This size is necessary to accommodate its features, particularly the fully integrated 35-sheet Auto Duplex ADF and the dual-paper-path system (a front cassette and a rear vertical tray). The control panel features a functional, albeit small, 2.5-inch color LCD and a dedicated numeric keypad for faxing, along with specific function buttons for Copy, Fax, Scan, and Memory Card access.
✨ Performance: Quality Over Speed
In terms of performance, the MX860 shines in output quality but falls short on pure speed compared to contemporary business inkjets.
Print Quality
This is where the PIXMA name earns its stripes.
Photo Quality: Excellent. Utilizing a 5-ink system (including both pigment black for sharp text and a dye-based black for rich photos), the MX860 produces stunning, richly saturated, and detailed photos, with a maximum color resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi. The 1 picoliter minimum ink droplet size contributes to virtually grain-free prints.
Text Quality: Exceptional. Text documents are sharp, clean, and near laser-quality thanks to the dedicated pigment black ink.
Graphics Quality: Very good, with solid colors and smooth transitions, though some users noted minor blotches on plain paper with complex color gradients.
Speed
Print speeds are relatively slow for a business-oriented machine:
Mono Documents (ESAT): Up to 8.4 images per minute (ipm)
Color Documents (ESAT): Up to 5.6 ipm
4x6 Photo: Approximately 41 seconds
For general document printing in a low-volume environment, this is acceptable, but for high-volume tasks, a modern business printer would be significantly faster.
💼 Office-Centric Features: The MX860's Strength
What truly set the MX860 apart then, and makes it valuable now, is its array of productivity features:
Duplex ADF & Printing: The inclusion of an Auto Duplex ADF is a major benefit for an all-in-one of this vintage, allowing users to automatically scan, copy, and fax two-sided documents without manual intervention. This feature alone drastically improves office efficiency. Combined with Auto Duplex Printing, it's a paper-saving machine.
Networking: Offering both Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and Ethernet connectivity, the MX860 is fully network-ready, allowing it to be easily shared among multiple users in a home or small office. While setting up the wireless connection can be cumbersome compared to today's instant setups, the wired Ethernet offers a reliable alternative.
Fax Functionality: A built-in Super G3 High-speed Fax, complete with a 250-page memory and 100 speed-dial locations, ensures all traditional office needs are covered.
Dual Paper Paths: The ability to load up to 150 sheets of plain paper in the cassette and simultaneously use the rear tray for specialty media (like photo paper or envelopes) offers great versatility.
♻️ The "Renewed" Factor: Important Considerations
When purchasing a "Renewed" MX860, potential buyers must keep a few things in mind:
Software and Drivers: The MX860 was released around 2009. While Canon has excellent long-term support, ensuring driver compatibility with the latest operating systems (like Windows 10/11 or recent macOS versions) can sometimes be a challenge, potentially requiring generic or older driver installations. Always check Canon's support page for the most recent compatible drivers.
Wear and Tear: As a renewed unit, the printer has been used. Check the renewal process description. A reputable seller will have replaced major worn parts (like the print head or rollers) and fully tested its functionality.
Connectivity Setup: Older Wi-Fi protocols (802.11b/g) are less secure and slower than modern standards. Initial wireless setup can be less intuitive than newer models.
Ink Cost and Availability: The 5-ink CLI-221/PGI-220 system is well-established, meaning both OEM and third-party compatible cartridges are widely available, which helps keep running costs competitive.
⚖️ Conclusion: Is the Renewed MX860 Worth It?
The Canon PIXMA MX860 Wireless All-In-One Office Printer (Renewed) is a compelling option for a specific user.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent photo and document quality | Large and bulky design |
| Full office functionality (Print, Scan, Copy, Fax) | Relatively slow print speeds |
| Auto Duplex ADF and Printing (High productivity value) | Wireless setup can be cumbersome |
| Dual paper path versatility | Driver compatibility with the latest OS may be challenging |
| Competitive ink running costs | Uses older Wi-Fi standards |
If your priorities are high-quality output, full duplex functionality (both printing and scanning), and a budget-friendly price for a renewed unit, and you can tolerate its bulk and slower speeds, the MX860 remains a solid, feature-packed choice for any home or small office that values utility and quality above raw speed and sleek design.