Canon Pixma MX340 Inkjet

The Canon Pixma MX340 color inkjet multifunction printer (with print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities) looks like a bargain ($100 as of June 1, 2010) until you factor in its pricey inks. If you
don't print much, however, this machine offers just enough of everything else to enable a small or home office to get by. It's definitely a better deal than the HP Officejet 4500 Wireless, which has similar strengths and a few more weaknesses.

The Pixma MX340's two standout features are Wi-Fi connectivity, which requires a temporary USB connection during setup but is otherwise painless; and a 30-sheet automatic document feeder. The configuration also includes a letter-size flatbed scanner; a vertical, 100-sheet, rear input slot; and a front, foldout, 50-sheet output tray. The front control panel's buttons for primary functions are clearly labeled. You use two arrow buttons to navigate menu items on the one-line, monochrome LCD. We had a hard time reading the LCD in dim lighting conditions, and the viewing angle is rather narrow. A backlight would have helped immensely. If you're looking for a color LCD, media card readers, or ethernet, check out the $150 Canon Pixma MX350, which is otherwise similar.

Canon bundles a plethora of useful scanning and printing programs with the Pixma MX340. The abundance of software could be overwhelming, except that Canon makes it easy to choose between loading everything upon installation or cherry-picking what you want. Uninstalling is easy, too.