Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 225
 Great for Macs, but setup is a slight tricky November 22, 2009
N. Agarwal (Cedar Falls, IA USA)
I bought this printer recently for use as a replacement for my aging Photosmart. This was the first time I bought a Canon and the first time I invested in a multi-function printer. Currently, I have a mid-2007 MacBook with Snow Leopard, so I will write this review from a Mac user perspective.
Packaging
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The printer is packed firmly between molded styrofoam and wrapped very well in plastic. Be prepared to spend a few minutes removing all of the "orange" tape that is used to secure plastic wrappings on the printer and secure any opening parts. It may seem like an inconvenience, but I was very pleased at the fact that Canon took the extra effort to make sure that the risk of damage during transport was minimal. Here's the best part, almost all of the packaging is recyclable - including the plastic. Unfortunately, my community cannot recycle styrofoam, but everything else that was in the box can be recycled.
Set-up
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Inside the packaging, you will find detailed instructions that clearly explain how to install the software for both Windows (XP & Vista) along with Mac (Tiger & Leopard). I want to point out that Canon includes a separate printed guide to installing the printer on a Mac. I would suggest you use this guide rather than the other guide which is printed in color. In addition to the instructions, you have a setup CD that will work on both a PC or Mac. If you choose to install the software on a Mac, please be aware that you need to be logged into an administrator account. On my Mac, I have 2 accounts. One account is an admin account and the other account is just a regular account. If you try to install the Mac software on a non-admin account, it will not work.
If you are plan on installing this on your Mac with Snow Leopard, things are a bit tricky. Here's how I went about setting up this printer on my MacBook with Snow Leopard.
1) Visit Canon USA support website and download all of the software updates for the Mac OS X
2) I installed all of the software updates (English ones) - It's not very clear which ones you need and don't need, but I installed them all
3) Make sure that you install the software using an administrator account
4) I would suggest that you ensure that MP Navigator is installed on your Snow Leopard machine so that you can use the scanning function
5) Follow the normal Mac setup guide that is included with the printer.
Initially, the printer has to be setup via USB (USB cable is included in the box) and every machine that you want to be able to print to the MX860 needs to have the software installed. The software is actually very well designed and not bloatware. Once the initial setup is complete via USB (your printer will still not function 100% at this point), it will then ask you how you plan on using your printer. This is where you can tell the software that you plan on using the printer wirelessly or with a wired LAN connection.
Should you decide that you want it to be wirelessly connected, it will go ahead and "measure" signal strength, ask you for the SSID of your wireless router access point, and a password if you have one. The printer supports WEP & WPA/WPA2. It just will NOT support WPA-Enterprise. Once your printer is configured, you no longer need a USB connection. If you want to setup the printer on other computers, just set it up using the software you downloaded for Snow Leopard. There is NO need to hook the printer into the other machines via USB. For Windows users, just use the enclosed CD and follow the on-screen instructions. The software will ask if you want to configure the printer for initial use or if it is already configured.
So as you can see, the initial setup on a Snow Leopard machine is slightly tricky, but not impossible. I do recommend that after you install your printer, do a Software Update as there is a good chance that Apple will push a Canon driver update. Go ahead and install it.
Printing
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Overall, my impression of the printing is amazing. I was very pleased with how the print quality rivals that of many laser printers and bests that of my Photosmart. I was amazed at how fast the printer prints too. I did print a photo (8.5" x 11") and I was blown away at how crisp the colors looked. When I look at the printed image on photo paper, it is impossible to tell if the image was printed on a photo printer at home or in a lab. I do want to point out that duplex printing will be slower. How much slower? It is significantly slower, but the fact that this printer can do duplex printing at this price point more than makes up for it.
Scanning
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I did do a bit of light scanning (I've only had the printer for less than 3 days) and I was impressed. However, I feel that a dedicated scanner has better results. I did not have a chance to try out duplex scanning, but the top loading tray makes it so much more convenient to scan a 10 page document.
Fax
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Sorry, I don't use faxing.
Conclusions
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As a Mac user, I'm very pleased with my purchase. I know that if I still had Leopard, initial setup would have been a breeze. My only gripe is that the instructions do not do a good job of telling you that you need to use an administrator account to install the software. Furthermore, it is NOT Canon's fault that they did not include Snow Leopard software. It is more than likely that the printer I have was made well before Snow Leopard was even available. However, I have to hand it to Canon for making the software available to users on their website.
If you use Snow Leopard, do not hesitate to purchase this printer, however, be prepared to spend an extra 15 minutes downloading additional software. I highly recommend this printer! For the price and the features (duplex printing for almost $150), this printer - to me at least - is a no brainer.
Nice machine overall but ink tanks smaller than MX850 November 21, 2009
Robert (phx, AZ)
If it turns out to be reliable then the deal is good being that there are many features, I had an MX850 which died prematurely and thought the ink tanks would be the same... This was a small and helpful reminder about what happens when you ASSUME things!!! Unfortunately they've made the ink tanks smaller so they'll have to be replaced more often - thus >> $$$. Overall the machine is fast, not flimsy, features are up to date, plentiful and more than I'll ever really need anyways.
Canon MX860 Printer November 21, 2009
Steve Kemp
Really like this printer, can't beat wireless. I do not agree with some people regarding slowness or loudness - I have not found that to be the case at all. Nice quality on pictures, but the colors aren't perfect. I suspect I have to spend some time tweaking my choices. I think this printer can produce better pics and I will continue trying. I don't need the fax so I can't comment, the scanner works great and I love having duplex printing. Nice software also (Easy PhotoPrint EX). I did experience when I printed labels the page shifts slightly. My biggest concern is I still can't get the printer to recognize my IBM Laptop...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 Best Printer I've Ever Owned! November 20, 2009
Cavs Fan (Cleveland, OH)
The Canon Pixma 860 is an Excellent printer! It was very easy to set up for wireless printing. The scanning & copying features are terrific! Color copies are just like the originals! Simply put, this printer actually does what it claims! I'm so fed up with HP. They have terrible service, refuse to create new drivers for older printers or PCs. I'll never buy HP again. The Canon experience has been the complete opposite in every good way! The drivers were easy to install, and they already have Windows 7 drivers, unlike most HP hardware. The Canon is a little slow in printing, and the ink cartridges are small. However, I bought mine 6 months ago and haven't changed ink yet, so that's pretty good!
Canon's website is actually helpful. I also called their tech support for other supplies and received great service! If you want this type of multi-function inkjet printer, don't look any further. I rarely give reviews, but this is one product that has actually been better than my expectations! Get it!
Canon thought of everything on this one. November 20, 2009
jeanie35
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I did not need the fax or the wireless. It does come with an electric cord. At first I thought I might return it and get one without the fax and the wireless, but decided for the price I would just keep it. I am THRILLED that I did. This printer does everything and is so easy to use and understand. It also powers up ready fast and down fast, so no need to turn it on long ahead of time so it will be ready. I just love it. Also the ink directly from Canon is as good a price as I have found anywhere and you can get it for no shipping if you order two packs. So I will order 1 all black and 1 color. Then order two color the next time and that gives me all I need and I did not have to pay any shipping.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 225
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