Design and Features
Canon's Pixma MP460 is the 2006 version of the Pixma MP450, but we didn't find many changes to the photo-centric all-in-one printer (please refer to the MP450 review for additional details). The body of the MP460 keeps the same dimensions as that of its predecessor, though it weighs almost one kilograms more. Also, the shiny black exterior has been replaced by a shiny light gray. It still has the same A4 size flatbed scanner, basic paper handling (one input and one output tray), media card slots, a PictBridge port, and an IrDA port for wireless printing. The control panel remains unchanged, with the same 1.9-inch LCD. The MP460 supports both Windows and Mac platforms via USB. The MP460 also boasts a new dual colour gamut technology that wasn't included on the MP450. It automatically optimizes copy quality according to the type of original: text, photo, or mixed. Like the MP450, the MP460 is a great budget all-in-one for photo hobbyists. If you already have the MP450, you don't need to update your printer. But if you're buying a new printer, the MP460 prints photos slightly faster than the earlier model.
Performance
In terms of performance, Canon's estimated print speeds are the same for both models, with a slight improvement in printing borderless 4x6 photos (Canon estimates 55 seconds for the MP450 and 52 seconds for the MP460). This was more or less borne out in our Labs-based tests. The MP460 posted text print speeds of 5.8ppm and photo print speeds of 1.36ppm for a 4x6 photo. The MP450 scored a 6.78ppm and a 0.58ppm, respectively (the MP450 photo test speed is for an 8x10 print). The Pixma MP460's scan speeds are on a par with those of the MP450: 5.68ppm for black-and-white and 5.6ppm for colour. The MP450 scored 5.19ppm and 4.88ppm, respectively.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Copy speed | |
Color scan speed | |
Grayscale scan speed | |
Photo speed | |
Text speed |
N/A
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Color scan | |
Grayscale scan | |
Photo | |
Graphics on inkjet paper | |
Text on inkjet paper |
Print quality is on a par between the two models, as well. Like the MP450, the MP460 handled text beautifully for an inkjet printer. When viewing the results under a loupe, we noticed minor imperfections and jagged edges -- problems that are inescapable for an inkjet printer. But to the naked eye, the characters were clean, well formed, and legible down to very small point sizes. The colour graphic prints revealed clean, sharp edges; excellent colour handling (with only some minor banding in color gradients); smooth curves; and well-rendered photo elements. The photo prints showed sharp detail, great colour, and realistic flesh tones. We liked the scans from the MP450 better, though. The MP460's colour scans were overly dark and a bit muddy, though they had excellent detail. The same criticism applies to the black-and-white scan: compression on the dark ends resulted in lost details in the shadows.
Canon provides a one-year warranty for the MP460 all-in-one, as well as phone support. You can extend the warranty to three years for AU$99. You can also get tech support via e-mail, and Canon says it will respond within 24 hours. Canon's site has FAQs, a troubleshooting tool, downloadable drivers and software, and PDFs of product and software manuals.
6%
3%
Only 2 serious problems I have found with this machine:
1. It is far to expensive to run because of its excessive ink usage.
2. Canon%u2019s attitude to the ink usage misrepresentations it made which induced me to buy the thing.
This matter is to end up in the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia.
The good: SEE www.inkjetfraud.com for more info.
The bad: SEE www.inkjetfraud.com for more info.