Canon SmartBase MP370 review

Verdict:

Review Date: 18 Aug 2004

Price when reviewed: inc VAT

Our Rating 6 stars out of 5

Review
Specs

If you want proof that a multifunction peripheral (MFP) can compete with a dedicated printer and scanner on quality as well as price, Canon's SmartBase MP370 provides it.

Based on the company's excellent i475D printer, it adds a high-quality photo scanner, a standalone copier function and all-format card reader slots for an extra £20. The fax-equipped MP390 costs £148, making for a capable all-in-one office peripheral.

For us the most exciting area of the MFP market is the low-cost inkjet models. Pricier laser-based MFPs are certainly useful, especially in small office environments where their fast copying abilities will prove especially useful, and Brother's DCP-8025DN is a superb example of this type. However, inkjet-based models such as the SmartBase MP370's ability to double as a high-quality colour photocopier is a fantastic extra.

Key to the MP370's success as a photo printer is its 2pl droplet size. This gives incredibly smooth prints, especially for a four-ink model. Borderless printing is supported and the photo index sheet system makes printing directly from memory cards a cinch. Speeds of 9.6ppm in mono and 4.7ppm in colour are decent speeds for the price, but running costs aren't great at 4.1p for mono and 10.6p for colour prints.

The scanner's high optical resolution gives sharp scans, while accurate colour reproduction means photos look great. Colour copying gives great results and although monochrome copies aren't quite aren't as impressive, a mono copy in just 11 seconds certainly is.

EXPERT'S VERDICT

"A good scanner and printer with excellent photo-printing features."

EDITOR'S VERDICT

"A dependable workhorse for all the paper-based jobs a home office requires."

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