Warning: LONG review ahead - prepare for detour if not seeking the details on this tour! You've been warned. :-)
The decision to go with this Canon D480 all-in-one printer was a gamble for me. My previous printer was a Canon color all-in-one ink jet unit (MP360 ) that died prematurely and went to an early grave after barely 3 years of very lite use. I was really concerned about buying another Canon device or ink jet model. The root cause for failure on the MP360 was it's uncorrectable ink pump/head issue, so I opted to return to the B&W toner cartridge models. I learned that no matter how easy it might be to take off a few cover panels, these Canon's are NOT designed for easy service and repair (even with my tech background). No wonder they try to charge $$$ if you consider getting one fixed instead of replacing it. They don't want to fix 'em either! HA
I need the capability for an occasional fax and scan in addition to the obvious printing. Deciding not to buy the individual components, I reviewed all the multi-function units I could find. Unless I was willing to shell out some serious $$$ and buy a business model, my choices all hovered in the $300-500 range. This model might be ok for a small or home office (SOHO), but the plastic materials and strength of the components are NOT like those found on previous devices. With any type of heavy use, I can NOT see this model standing up to any bumps or long term wear. For example, this unit has a flimsy tab that extends at the end of the output tray (necessary to use or the papers end up on the floor) and one little bump could break it right off. The ADF and scan cover on top feels like it was made as lightly and cheaply as possible. You'll have to treat this unit easily and carefully or it probably won't hold up. It might be a move to reduce weight and material costs, but it borders on the overdone effort. Sadly, many/most of the models in this price range have the same anemic disease of reduction.
So far, printing output has been of a decent quality, as expected for a toner model, including the handy duplex/2-sided feature. Definitely not publishing grade or quality but ok for internal business/office use or at home. I'm still on my "starter" cartridge (why couldn't they just put a full cartridge in when shipping?!) after a few months of lite printing. Power-up from a cold start is quick and just a little noisy for around 10 seconds. Wake-up is also quick when tossing over a print request. The unit is not very quiet, but can be tolerated if the duty cycle is short.
In order to use the web-access features for checking the settings, you need to install the TCP/IP-Networked connection. If you use the USB connection, you won't get this functionality (I've installed both USB and TCP/IP connections on my system). Even though I downloaded all the latest patches and software from Canon's site, I didn't need to update the firmware as it arrived with the latest version available. Supposedly this fixes the bug for setting a default mode (copy vs. fax vs. scan) for those printing over a network. I didn't find the included software to be great, user-friendly, or with helpful features, but your mileage may vary. You won't be missing out on much if not installed at all. Others have noted issues (confirmed) with an indexing feature in one of the programs (takes forever on app startup, best to avoid).
I've have problems with the very temperamental faxing capability as well as the volume control when attempting to fax. Even though there are settings to turn down the volume, the choices do NOT make a difference. Either the speaker is on at a very loud volume (maybe useful for troubleshooting, but annoying for anyone nearby) or muted. My previous Canon didn't have nearly the issues when sending and using a voip (vonage's version) connection for a phone line. However, if you run an Internet search, you'll find that for most people now using a G3-mode fax unit on voip, it is gamble. Sometimes it's going to work if you drop down the speed to transmit at 9600 baud and turn off ECM (error correction), and many times it will not work at all when trying to send. For being able to handle an analog quality connection and all the "within spec" (ITU, T-38 spec) noise in doing so, I find this unit just isn't cutting it on voip. I called Canon's tech support and reached a helpful and courteous person in the afternoon. Another call to Canon's tech support in the early evening left me disappointed with the attitude and help received - so 50% grade, not so good (but typical). To be fair, it's not all Canon's issues when dealing with phone connections. However, it looks like I'm stuck with a less-than-acceptable grade for these issues.
Scanning worked for basic 8.5x11 sheets, but I ran into problems initially with the set-up and configuration of the software to receive scans. It would not automagically configure in Windows as it didn't want to recognize the supported device. Oddly enough I didn't receive an error when the software was installed the first time. The software's testing feature confirmed the communication was not working. Deleting the software and rediscovering the device again was necessary before I could install and use the software to take in a scan. Scan quality at 300 dpi was a bit poor, but no surprise there. I think the whole scanning feature also dropped in quality from the previous model. *sigh* I didn't test it much and realize others have put it to more rigorous use and also found a few other concerns.
Reading the user manual left me seeking additional sources for answers. I even installed and tried the more inclusive "e-manual" on my computer. I was still left wondering about a few things, and thus my calls to tech support. Documentation is written in understandable English, but don't expect any detailed explanations whatsoever. The same goes for the unit's limited display window. Most features and setting seem to be randomly organized, but able to be hunted down if you take the time to search. A "secret" feature that wasn't mentioned anywhere in the documentation was reached by pressing the " menu " key followed by the " # " key. It's an extended listing and group of advanced settings. Be careful what you change in here or you may find yourself talking with a grouchy tech support person @ Canon for poor-quality help.
By the way, I inquired and was told there is NO command or button to reset your device back to defaults or to erase all your personal information in the unit. Today's electronic devices, not just computers, use chips and drives to store or cache your data and use logs. My fax log shows all the numbers I've attempted to send to (and most in failure!). It supposedly rolls over after the 60th fax, but no way to clear the log. I was told to leave the unit unplugged for "a couple hours" to possibly erase all settings (??!!??). I haven't tried it yet or proved this to be correct. Keep this in mind should you be considering giving this unit back, selling it, or giving it away - your info may be still inside. This is a known and documented security issue for today's intelligent, data-handling products, so keep it in mind. Contact the manufacturers for info and procedures for clearing a device to protect yourself. It might be an "all or nothing" wipe, so apparently Canon wasn't concerned about your time in set-up or your privacy/data protection either. Shame!
A huge rebate was available at the time I purchased this model at it's discounted "sale" pricing. It is a JOKE that this product is passed off as a $1,000+ MSRP unit and then discounted heavily for it's "normal" retail/sale price. This model may have a lot of features (as all-in-one printers all do!), but no way would I put it in that category or ranking of a $1000+ machine.
The unit works for now, but I would reconsider if I had to do it again. Definitely not the worst choice, but room for improvement.