Canon announced the release of the ImageCLASS MF8180c, a multifunction color laser printer. It replaces/updates the MF8170C, which has all the same features but is rated at 16 pages per minute while the MF8180c is rated at 20ppm (both generous estimates of course). The MF8180c prints 4ppm in color, faxes, and scans up to 1200 x 2400dpi, which is pretty good when compared with their competition. Other HP and Epson models similar to the MF8180c only scan up to 600 x 600.

This machine will be priced at $799.99, which makes it a good deal. There are not a whole lot of color laser multifunction machines on the market, but most that are conveniently have the exact same price. The three with the same price are the Epson AcuLaser CX11NF, HP LaserJet 2820 and the Brother MFC-9420CN. The Epson is slightly faster, but will cost you more to operate. Plus Epson really isn’t known for their laser printers. The LaserJet 2820 is similar to the MF8180c, but both the scanning and the print resolution are lower. The Brother MFC-9420CN could provide some competition, as it features the same resolution as Canon for scanning and printing, and prints up to 31ppm. Alas, as is the case with some Brother machines, the ink for it is difficult to find. At this point, you cannot even buy it directly from Brother’s website. So basically, what good is having a machine that’s slightly better if you can’t even find ink for it?

Based on the other machines on the market, you could argue that the MF8180c will be the top choice when it becomes available. It has a competitive price and good features and should be relatively easy and inexpensive to operate. We must emphasize “relatively” because when you are dealing with a color laser printer, there is no such thing as inexpensive. A new set of toner cartridges for this machine would run you about $440 if you bought them at the store. We just mean relatively inexpensive versus the other color laser printers on the market.

New Color imageCLASS MF8180c Color Desktop Laser Multifunction [Press Release]