We had no trouble setting up the Pixma MX512, which offers triple-threat connectivity--USB, ethernet, and Wi-Fi. Canon provides its usual stable driver and software bundle, which includes OCR and many photo-publishing features. MS, MS Duo, Secure Digital, and USB/PictBridge ports are provided for offloading scans and direct photo printing. The Windows printer properties dialog is exceptionally well laid-out, placing all the basic options on the main tab. (The Mac dialog follows the same inefficient multipage template that Apple forces on everyone.)
But while its software is nicely designed, the Pixma MX512's control panel has a aspect to it--and that's being a bit harsh on Rube's designs, which, though comically convoluted, are not confusing. Among the control panel's foibles are three intermittently used function buttons, an odd-feeling four-way rocker, an inefficient layout that requires too much hand movement, and a keypad whose numbers are backlit only when needed--though the buttons have no other use. The like-priced has a far better control panel design though it still suffers from the three dubious function buttons. Still, the 2.5-inch nontouch LCD display is nice to have.
The Pixma MX512's paper handling features are adequate for light use, with a 100-sheet paper tray, automatic duplexing, and a 30-sheet automatic document feeder for the scanner. However, scanning is single-sided only. The output tray is oddly designed: It's short, so that paper hangs over the edge and is stopped by the catch extending from the input tray below it. This arrangement works most of the time, but occasionally a sheet printed in the unit's speedy draft mode will sail to the floor.
The Pixma MX512 uses Canon's 240 and 241 series ink cartridges. The PG-240 and CL-241 cartridges that come in the box are very low-capacity--delivering just 180 pages apiece--and they are currently not for sale in the United States. The replacement black ink costs are well above average, but replacement color can be relatively affordable. The PG-240XL Extra Large black cartridge ($21) lasts for 300 pages, which works out to a pricey 7 cents per page. Meanwhile, at 6.3 cents per page, the 600-page PG-240XXL ($38) black cartridge isn't much cheaper.
The unified-color (three colors in one cartridge) CL-241XL costs $30 and lasts for 400 pages, or 7.5 cpp. Added to the XXL black that comes to a relatively affordable 13.8 cents for a four-color page. Of course, the cost per page will increase if you don't use the three colors evenly, as you must replace the unified-color cartridge when one of them runs out, even if plenty of the other two colors' ink remains.