Canon Pixma iP2870S is an ultra low cost printer, which was never designed to compete with big boys and makes no bones about it. Canon had a clear perception about target audience for the printer and it is for that specific user set that the Canon Pixma iP2870S works best. Before we proceed with our review, let’s take a look at basic specifications.
Key Specs
Model – Pixma IP 2870S
Dimensions – 13.4 x 42.6 x 23.5 cm
Weight – 2.3Kg
Max print resolution – 4800 x 600 dots_per_inch
Max print speed – 8 Image per minute (Black), 4 Image per minute (Color)
Print Media Size – A4, A5, B5
Input tray type – Standard cassette (250 sheets)
OS supported – indows: 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, Mac OS X v10.6.8
Box Content and Installation
Apart from the printer, the box contains 2 cartridges (Color and Black), 1 year warranty card, Power cord, USB Cable, A CD containing demonstration and software and other documentation. Installation is very simple. Even if you are not tech savvy, you can install this printer without any trouble. Just plug-in the USB cable in an apt OS running PC and drivers will automatically install. You can the start giving print commands.
Design and Build
Canon Pixma iP2870S has a simple and light design. Paper goes in and printed paper comes out. The low cost printer has been designed for home users, with occasional printing needs and feels a bit flaky, which is understandable and acceptable at this price point.
Canon Pixma IP 2870 Photo Gallery
Canon Pixma IP 2870 Performance
The printing quality was pretty good on A4 sheet for all documents or reports. Color printing is ok too. For home purpose uses, you don’t have to worry about DPI resolution as the printer is doing a fine job. Canon also mentions that you can use it to print photos on Glossy paper, but this is something we are skeptical about. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to test this with our review unit.
Printing speed is slow, but again, that shouldn’t be an issue at all for home users, since they don’t have to print 100’s of copies at once. The printer is also a bit noisy.
Consumables
Canon Pixma IP 2870S requires CL-746 and PG-745 cartridges which approximately cost 1300 INR and 800 INR respectively. Together, they are more expensive than the printer itself, but occasional home users will also have the option to refill them.
Moreover, no matter what type of printing you are doing, it is mandatory to install both cartridge and both should be in working condition, or else the printer will show a printing error.
The Bottom Line
Canon Pixma IP 2870S is a simple to use printer and the one you should buy if you feel the need to print stuff once in a while. If your printer will be gathering dust for weeks at large, maintenance could be more expensive than the printer itself. However, printing quality is better than what we expected at this price and overall, we think it is a good recommendation for casual home users and students.
