gdgt

I finally got rid of my Epson WorkForce 600 after the black print head spontaneously stopped working, followed by software that stopped talking to each other. I was too busy to deal with trying to fix it (I even bought print head cleaner) so I treated myself to a new printer, plus I really needed an actual real working printer at my disposal.

I've only had my Canon PIXMA MX870 for around 12 hours now, and I don't know if I've only dealt with crappy crappy printers or if no one has mentioned that printing doesn't necessarily have to be all horrors that end up as popular web comics. This printer had me at two kinds of blacks—one dye and one pigment. It will magically open the paper output tray if it's closed and you've started to print, and I actually giggled upon my first duplex print job (yes, I know). I also found the Scanning Unit Support (AKA Thingy that holds the scanner part up when you need to pick at the innards) very thoughtfully designed. Okay, I guess you have to see it and have to have spent hours agonizing over your last broken printer to really appreciate it. It will also gift me with graph paper et al. on demand, but I guess that is almost standard now.

I could go on but something feels weird about writing so much about a printer. Other things I liked today: wireless printing, borderless printing, and direct from iPhone printing (so my phone can do exactly two things now). So far, the MX870 has been like a spa day compared to my last Epson which was like stabbing my eyes out after being pantsed.