Canon ImageClass MF8180C Review

Overview:

Despite the success of the Canon ImageClass MF8170C, the next product numerically to roll off the assembly line, the Canon ImageClass MF8180C, was, and is, a huge disappointment. Riddled with design flaws and mediocre performance specs, this lemon is not really even worth a second glance.

Pros:

On paper, the Canon ImageClass MF8180C seems very similar to a handful of other models in its class. I has good optical scanning specs, decent print quality, and solid paper storage numbers. With 19 prints or copies per minute, the unit is also only marginally below average when it comes to print speeds.

The unit’s fax functionality is intact, complete with a Super G3 modem and a transmission speed of 33.6 Kbps. PC faxing is limited to send only, but this is forgivable. An error correction mode, remote fax retrieval, and a telephone/fax switching function round out the fax machine overall. The problem is what Canon is not telling you, which is that if you receive a fax on the Canon ImageClass MF8180C in the middle of the night, it will wake you up at home even if the machine is still at the office.

Cons:

Poor design is present throughout the Canon ImageClass MF8180C and shows itself in elements such its standby mode problem. This problem occurs when the printer is low on ink (not out of ink) and can still function, but will not cool down to standby. The device is also considerably louder than its competitors, both from Canon and other brands.

The upkeep on the Canon ImageClass MF8180C is costly. The system implemented in replacing the device’s consumables is not very individual cartridge friendly, so cartridges that are not completely warn out will often have to be replaced when other ones are.

When the unit needs a full warm up, it not only takes over a minute to do so, but is loud in doing it. This seemingly rushed out piece of hardware may look nice, but sounds awful. Power consumption is also far less than ideal considering what the unit is capable of, which could be tied to the loud noised the unit makes as un-streamlined hardware is wasteful. In sleep mode the Canon ImageClass MF8180C sucks up about 5 watts of energy but when operational it can jump up to as high as 1100 watts.

Copy speeds in black and white fall into the category of just barely acceptable, but when dealing in color, this quadruple pass monster pumps out only 4 pages per minute. Because the device uses the older, 4 pass color laser printing system, the print head must pass over each page four times and thus take about four times longer to execute. Not only that but with so many extra passes, the print head itself will wear out considerably faster on a unit such as this.

Overall, the Canon ImageClass MF8180C is not only dated, but was never a very solid piece of hardware to begin with. Unless the device is found for a considerable bargain, almost any buyer would be better off looking elsewhere.