The Canon Color ImageClass LBP674Cdw is a robust and efficient color laser printer designed to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses. This review delves into the key features, performance, design, and usability of the LBP674Cdw, offering an in-depth look at why this printer is a strong contender in its category.
Design and Build Quality
The Canon Color ImageClass LBP674Cdw boasts a sleek and modern design that fits well in a professional environment. The printer’s dimensions are 18.1 x 18.3 x 15.5 inches, and it weighs around 63.5 pounds. Despite its substantial size, the LBP674Cdw is relatively compact for a color laser printer, making it suitable for offices with limited space.
The build quality is excellent, with a sturdy frame that feels durable and capable of withstanding the demands of a busy office. The printer features a user-friendly interface with a 5-inch color touchscreen, providing easy access to various settings and functions. The touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, allowing users to navigate through menus and options effortlessly.
Key Features
Print Speed and Quality
One of the standout features of the Canon Color ImageClass LBP674Cdw is its impressive print speed. The printer can produce up to 28 pages per minute (ppm) for both color and black-and-white documents. This speed is quite competitive, ensuring that large print jobs can be completed quickly and efficiently.
The print quality is equally impressive. The LBP674Cdw delivers sharp and vibrant prints with a resolution of up to 600 x 600 dpi. The colors are vivid and accurate, making it an excellent choice for printing marketing materials, presentations, and other documents that require high-quality color reproduction. Text prints are crisp and clear, even at smaller font sizes.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Canon LBP674Cdw and Canon EOS R6 Stands Out offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile addition to any office setup. It supports both wired and wireless connections, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB. The printer also features mobile printing capabilities through Canon PRINT Business, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Mopria Print Service. This extensive connectivity ensures that users can print from virtually any device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
Paper Handling and Capacity
The LBP674Cdw is equipped with a 250-sheet paper cassette and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, providing ample capacity for most office needs. Additionally, the printer supports automatic duplex printing, which helps save paper and reduce costs. The multipurpose tray allows for flexible paper handling, accommodating various paper sizes and types, including envelopes, labels, and cardstock.
For offices with higher print volumes, the printer offers an optional 550-sheet paper cassette, increasing the total capacity to 900 sheets. This expansion capability makes the LBP674Cdw a scalable solution for growing businesses.
Security Features
In today’s digital age, security is a paramount concern for businesses. The Canon LBP674Cdw addresses this with several advanced security features. The printer includes Secure Print, which allows users to protect sensitive documents by requiring a PIN for release. Additionally, it supports network authentication, IP/MAC address filtering, and HTTPS encryption, ensuring that confidential information remains secure during transmission and printing.
Performance
The performance of the Canon Color ImageClass LBP674Cdw is consistent and reliable. During testing, the printer handled a variety of print jobs with ease, maintaining high speeds and quality throughout. The first-page-out time is approximately 7.5 seconds, which is quite fast for a color laser printer. This quick response time is beneficial for businesses that require prompt access to printed documents.
The printer’s monthly duty cycle is rated at up to 50,000 pages, making it suitable for offices with moderate to high print volumes. However, Canon recommends a monthly print volume of 750 to 4,000 pages for optimal performance and longevity.
Usability
Setting up the Canon Color ImageClass LBP674Cdw is straightforward, thanks to the detailed instruction manual and user-friendly setup wizard. The printer’s touchscreen interface simplifies operation, allowing users to easily manage print jobs, monitor supplies, and access maintenance functions.
The Canon PRINT Business app further enhances usability by enabling users to print and scan documents directly from their mobile devices. The app is well-designed and easy to use, providing a seamless experience for mobile printing.
Cost Efficiency
When evaluating the cost efficiency of the Canon LBP674Cdw, it’s essential to consider both the initial purchase price and the ongoing operational costs. The printer is competitively priced for its class, offering a good balance of features and performance.
In terms of operational costs, the LBP674Cdw uses Canon’s high-capacity toner cartridges, which help reduce the cost per page. The printer’s efficient design and automatic duplex printing feature also contribute to lower paper consumption, further enhancing its cost-effectiveness.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High Print Speed: The LBP674Cdw offers fast printing at 28 ppm for both color and black-and-white documents, making it ideal for busy offices.
- Excellent Print Quality: The printer delivers sharp, vibrant, and accurate prints, suitable for professional documents and marketing materials.
- Versatile Connectivity: With support for Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile printing options, the LBP674Cdw ensures seamless integration with various devices and networks.
- Robust Security Features: Advanced security options like Secure Print, network authentication, and HTTPS encryption protect sensitive information.
- Scalable Paper Capacity: The optional 550-sheet paper cassette expands the total capacity to 900 sheets, accommodating higher print volumes.
Cons
- Size and Weight: The LBP674Cdw is relatively large and heavy, which may be a consideration for offices with limited space.
- Limited Touchscreen Functionality: While the touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, it could benefit from additional functionality and customization options.
- Initial Cost: The upfront cost may be higher compared to some inkjet printers, but the long-term savings on operational costs often justify the investment.
Conclusion
The Canon Color ImageClass LBP674Cdw is a powerful and reliable color laser printer that excels in speed, print quality, and versatility. Its robust design, extensive connectivity options, and advanced security features make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses. While it may be larger and heavier than some alternatives, its performance and efficiency more than compensate for these drawbacks.
Overall, the LBP674Cdw offers a compelling combination of features and value, making it a worthwhile investment for offices that require high-quality color printing and dependable performance. Whether you need to print professional documents, marketing materials, or everyday office paperwork, this printer delivers consistently excellent results, helping to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.