Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw Wireless Printer ReviewThe Latest Guide

Printers often get a bad rap for being those grumpy office machines that either guzzle ink like a dehydrated marathon runner or turn into divas right when you need them the most. But today, let’s chat about a printer that’s poised to change that narrative – the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw Wireless Printer. Now, that’s a mouthful, but it’s got a lot to offer. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into what makes this printer a potential game-changer for your office needs.

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A First Look: Design and Build

When you first set eyes on the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw, you might think, “Hey, this doesn’t look half bad for a printer!” It’s got a sleek, professional design that screams “I’m here to get stuff done.” The white exterior with clean lines makes it blend into any office setting without looking like an eyesore. It’s not one of those clunky, outdated monstrosities that you’d rather hide in a back room. Instead, it’s compact and modern, fitting comfortably on a standard desk or a dedicated printer stand.

One of the standout features is the 5-inch color touchscreen. It’s like having a mini tablet right on your printer. This screen isn’t just for show – it’s highly functional and intuitive, making it easy to navigate through the printer’s settings and features. You won’t need a degree in rocket science to figure out how to print double-sided documents or connect to your Wi-Fi network. The touchscreen is customizable, which means you can set it up in a way that makes the most sense for your workflow.

Aesthetic Appeal

The Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw isn’t just a pretty face, though it certainly doesn’t hurt that it has one. Its sleek design is complemented by a user-friendly interface. The physical buttons are minimized, giving way to a clean, touchscreen-driven experience. This minimalist design approach helps in reducing the learning curve for new users. Plus, it just looks cool sitting on your desk.

Build Quality

In terms of build quality, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw feels solid. It’s built to withstand the rigors of a busy office environment. The sturdy construction means it’s less likely to suffer from the common wear-and-tear issues that plague lesser machines. Canon has clearly put thought into the durability of this device, ensuring it can handle a high volume of prints without faltering.

Setup and Connectivity: Getting Started

Setting up the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw is a breeze, even for those who might not be tech-savvy. Remember the days when connecting a printer to your Wi-Fi network felt like deciphering an ancient language? Well, those days are over. The LBP674Cdw simplifies the process with a straightforward setup wizard that guides you step-by-step.

Connectivity Options

You have multiple connectivity options: Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet. Whether you’re printing from your desktop, laptop, or mobile device, this printer has got you covered. It supports mobile printing solutions like Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and Canon PRINT Business, making it incredibly convenient to print on-the-go. Imagine printing a last-minute report from your phone while you’re rushing out the door – it’s possible with this printer.

Mobile Printing

Mobile printing is particularly noteworthy. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to print directly from your smartphone or tablet is a game-changer. The Canon PRINT Business app is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing you to print documents and photos directly from your mobile device. This feature is perfect for those moments when you need to print something quickly without having to boot up your computer.

Easy Network Setup

The network setup process is also impressively simple. The printer comes with a detailed guide that walks you through each step. Whether you’re connecting via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, the process is straightforward. For those who prefer a wired connection, the Ethernet port provides a reliable and stable connection. If you’re going wireless, the Wi-Fi setup is equally painless, with the printer quickly detecting available networks and prompting you for the necessary credentials.

USB Convenience

For those who prefer a direct connection, the USB option is available. This is particularly useful for environments where network security is a concern, or for users who prefer a straightforward plug-and-play setup. Simply connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable, and you’re good to go. No need to worry about network configurations or wireless signals.

Performance: Speed and Quality

Now, let’s talk about what really matters – performance. The Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw doesn’t disappoint. With a print speed of up to 35 pages per minute (ppm) for both color and black-and-white documents, it’s like having your very own printing wizard. The days of waiting impatiently for your documents to print are over. This printer is designed to handle the demands of a busy office, churning out high-quality prints at lightning speed.

Print Speed

The print speed is one of the standout features of the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw. Whether you’re printing a lengthy report or a full-color brochure, this printer gets the job done quickly. The first page out time is approximately 7 seconds, which is impressive for a color laser printer. This means you won’t be left waiting around for your documents to start printing.

Print Quality

But speed isn’t the only impressive feature here. The print quality is top-notch. Whether you’re printing text-heavy documents, colorful charts, or high-resolution images, the output is crisp and vibrant. The printer uses laser technology, which ensures that your prints are not only fast but also smudge-proof and long-lasting. No more worrying about accidentally smudging that important contract before your big meeting.

Consistency

One of the hallmarks of a good printer is consistency, and the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw excels in this area. Whether you’re printing a single page or a multi-page document, the print quality remains consistent. This is crucial for businesses that rely on professional-looking documents. Inconsistencies in print quality can make a bad impression, but with this printer, you can be confident that every page will look just as good as the last.

Handling Graphics

For businesses that need to print high-quality graphics, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw delivers. Whether you’re printing marketing materials, brochures, or presentations, the color accuracy and detail are impressive. The printer handles complex graphics with ease, producing sharp and vibrant images. This makes it a great choice for creative professionals and marketing teams.

Text Quality

Text quality is equally impressive. The printer produces sharp and clear text, even at smaller font sizes. This is important for businesses that need to print detailed reports, contracts, and other documents where clarity is crucial. Whether you’re printing in black and white or color, the text remains crisp and easy to read.

User Experience: Intuitive and User-Friendly

User experience can make or break a printer’s appeal. Fortunately, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw excels in this department. The 5-inch color touchscreen is a game-changer. It’s responsive, easy to navigate, and offers a range of customization options. You can set up shortcuts for your most frequently used functions, making your printing tasks more efficient.

Touchscreen Interface

The touchscreen interface is one of the standout features of this printer. It’s large, responsive, and easy to use. The menu layout is intuitive, with clear icons and labels that make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Whether you’re setting up a print job, checking the toner levels, or configuring network settings, the touchscreen makes the process quick and easy.

Customization Options

One of the great things about the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw is the level of customization it offers. You can set up shortcuts for your most frequently used functions, which saves time and makes your workflow more efficient. For example, if you often print double-sided documents, you can set up a shortcut that allows you to start a duplex print job with just a few taps.

Quiet Mode

The printer also features a quiet mode, which is a thoughtful addition for office environments. Let’s say you’re working late and don’t want to disturb your coworkers with the sound of a busy printer. Simply switch to quiet mode, and the printer will operate at a lower noise level. It’s a small feature, but it shows that Canon has thought about the user experience in a real-world context.

User-Friendly Software

The printer comes with Canon’s MF Scan Utility, a user-friendly software suite that simplifies scanning tasks. Whether you’re scanning documents to email, saving them to a cloud service, or converting them to PDFs, the software makes the process easy and efficient. The utility is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, ensuring broad compatibility.

Remote Operation

For those times when you’re not at your desk, the Canon PRINT Business app provides remote operation capabilities. You can check the status of your print jobs, monitor toner levels, and even initiate print jobs from your mobile device. This is particularly useful for busy professionals who are always on the go.

Paper Handling and Capacity: Ready for Business

If you’ve ever had a printer run out of paper in the middle of a big print job, you know how frustrating it can be. Thankfully, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw is well-prepared to handle your paper needs. It comes with a 250-sheet standard cassette and a 50-sheet multipurpose tray. For those who need even more capacity, there’s an optional cassette (PF-K1) that

expands the total capacity to 850 sheets.

Multipurpose Tray

The multipurpose tray is versatile, allowing you to print on various media types and sizes, from envelopes to labels to heavy cardstock. This flexibility is a boon for businesses that need to print a variety of documents without constantly switching paper trays. The tray’s design is intuitive, making it easy to load and adjust for different media types.

Duplex Printing

Auto-duplex printing is another standout feature. This means the printer can print on both sides of the paper automatically. This not only saves paper but also gives your documents a professional look. And let’s be honest – who doesn’t love saving trees while looking good?

High Capacity

For high-volume printing environments, the expandable paper capacity is a lifesaver. With the optional cassette, you can have up to 850 sheets ready to go. This reduces the frequency of paper refills, allowing you to focus more on your work and less on maintaining the printer. Whether you’re printing large reports, marketing materials, or everyday documents, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw can handle it.

Paper Handling Reliability

The printer’s paper handling capabilities are impressive. It can handle a variety of paper sizes and types, from standard letter and legal-sized paper to envelopes and labels. The paper trays are designed to minimize jams and misfeeds, ensuring a smooth and reliable printing experience. This reliability is crucial for busy offices where downtime can be costly.

Output Tray

The output tray has a capacity of 150 sheets, which is sufficient for most office needs. The tray is designed to keep your printed documents neat and organized, preventing them from spilling onto the floor. This is a small but important detail that enhances the overall user experience.

Maintenance: Keeping It Simple

Maintenance is often where many printers lose their charm. Frequent toner changes, complicated drum replacements, and endless troubleshooting can turn any printer into a source of frustration. However, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw aims to keep things simple.

Toner Cartridges

First off, the printer uses high-capacity toner cartridges (Toner 069/069 High Capacity). This means fewer interruptions for toner replacements, allowing you to focus more on your work and less on maintaining the printer. The cartridges are easy to replace, and the printer provides clear notifications when it’s time to do so.

Drum Unit

One of the standout features is that the LBP674Cdw doesn’t require periodic drum unit replacements. This not only simplifies maintenance but also reduces the long-term cost of ownership. It’s designed to be a reliable workhorse that doesn’t demand constant attention.

Maintenance Notifications

The printer provides clear and timely notifications when maintenance is needed. Whether it’s time to replace the toner or clean the printer, you’ll receive alerts on the touchscreen display. This proactive approach to maintenance helps to prevent issues before they become problems, ensuring that your printer remains in optimal condition.

Easy Access

The design of the printer makes it easy to access the toner cartridges and other components. This simplifies the process of replacing toner and performing routine maintenance tasks. The clear instructions provided by Canon further enhance the ease of maintenance, making it a hassle-free experience.

Cost of Ownership

While the initial cost of the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw may be higher than some other printers, the low maintenance requirements and high-capacity toner cartridges help to reduce the long-term cost of ownership. This makes it a cost-effective choice for businesses that require a reliable and efficient printer.

Energy Efficiency: Good for the Planet

In today’s world, energy efficiency is more important than ever. The Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw is designed with this in mind. It’s ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Silver certified, which means it meets stringent standards for energy efficiency. Not only does this help reduce your office’s carbon footprint, but it can also lead to cost savings on your energy bills.

Energy-Saving Mode

The printer also features an energy-saving mode that kicks in when the printer is not in use. This helps to further minimize energy consumption without sacrificing performance. It’s a small but meaningful step towards a more sustainable office environment.

Reduced Power Consumption

The energy-saving mode significantly reduces power consumption during periods of inactivity. This is particularly useful in office environments where the printer may not be in constant use. By reducing energy consumption, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw helps to lower your overall energy costs.

Environmentally Friendly Design

Canon has designed the Color imageClass LBP674Cdw with the environment in mind. The printer’s components are made from recyclable materials, and the toner cartridges are designed for easy recycling. This commitment to sustainability is an important consideration for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.

Energy Star Certification

The ENERGY STAR certification is a testament to the printer’s energy efficiency. This certification is awarded to products that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency. By choosing an ENERGY STAR certified printer, you’re making a choice that’s good for both your business and the environment.

EPEAT Silver Rating

The EPEAT Silver rating further underscores the printer’s environmental credentials. EPEAT is a comprehensive environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental impact of electronic products. The Silver rating indicates that the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw meets a high standard of environmental performance.

Special Features: Bells and Whistles

Beyond the basics, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw comes packed with a range of special features that enhance its functionality. One such feature is the secure print option. In a business environment, confidentiality is key. Secure print ensures that sensitive documents are not printed until the correct PIN is entered at the printer. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to confidential information.

Secure Print

The secure print feature is particularly useful for businesses that handle sensitive information. Whether you’re printing financial reports, legal documents, or confidential contracts, secure print ensures that your documents remain private. This added layer of security is a valuable feature for any business.

USB Printing

Another useful feature is the ability to print directly from a USB drive. Imagine you’re in a hurry and need to print a presentation saved on your thumb drive. Simply plug it into the printer’s USB port, and you’re good to go. No need to transfer files to a computer first. This feature adds a level of convenience that’s hard to beat.

Direct Connection

The USB printing feature is especially useful in environments where network security is a concern. By allowing users to print directly from a USB drive, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw provides a secure and convenient way to print documents without the need for a network connection.

Network Ready

The printer is also network-ready, which means it can easily be integrated into your office network. Whether you’re using a wired Ethernet connection or a wireless Wi-Fi connection, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw can handle it. This makes it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes.

Mobile App Integration

The integration with mobile apps like Canon PRINT Business, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service adds another layer of convenience. These apps allow you to print documents and photos directly from your mobile device, making it easy to print on-the-go. This is particularly useful for busy professionals who need to print documents quickly and efficiently.

Cloud Connectivity

Cloud connectivity is another valuable feature. The printer supports printing from popular cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. This allows you to access and print your documents from anywhere, adding a level of flexibility that’s ideal for modern businesses.

Troubleshooting and Support: Peace of Mind

Even the best printers can encounter issues from time to time. That’s why having reliable support is crucial. Canon offers a 3-year limited warranty on the Color imageClass LBP674Cdw, giving you peace of mind. Should you encounter any problems, Canon’s customer support is known for being helpful and responsive.

Comprehensive Documentation

The printer also comes with comprehensive documentation, including a user manual and quick start guide. These resources are well-written and easy to follow, making it easier to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Additionally, Canon’s website offers a range of support options, including FAQs, driver downloads, and live chat support.

Customer Support

Canon’s customer support is highly regarded. Whether you need help with setup, troubleshooting, or maintenance, Canon’s support team is ready to assist. The 3-year limited warranty provides additional peace of mind, ensuring that you’re covered in case of any issues.

Online Resources

Canon’s website offers a wealth of online resources to help you get the most out of your printer. From driver downloads to instructional videos, the online resources are designed to make your experience as smooth as possible. The live chat support is particularly useful for getting quick answers to your questions.

Troubleshooting Tips

For those times when you encounter an issue, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw includes a range of troubleshooting tips and diagnostic tools. These tools are designed to help you quickly identify and resolve common issues, minimizing downtime and ensuring that your printer remains in optimal condition.

Firmware Updates

Firmware updates are another important aspect of support. Canon regularly releases firmware updates to improve the performance and reliability of their printers. These updates are easy to install and ensure that your printer remains up-to-date with the latest features and enhancements.

Real-World Use Cases: How It Performs

Let’s take a moment to consider how the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw performs in real-world scenarios. Picture a small to medium-sized business with a steady flow of print jobs. This printer is designed to handle such environments with ease.

Marketing Teams

For example, a marketing team might use the LBP674Cdw to print vibrant brochures and flyers. The high-quality color output ensures that these materials look professional and eye-catching. Meanwhile, the finance department can rely on the printer for printing detailed financial reports and spreadsheets. The fast print speed and duplex printing capability make it easy to handle large documents efficiently.

Healthcare

Providers

Healthcare providers can benefit from the secure print feature, ensuring that patient information remains confidential. The printer’s reliability and high-capacity toner options mean it can handle the demands of a busy office without frequent interruptions.

Educational Institutions

Educational institutions can use the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw to print everything from student assignments to administrative documents. The printer’s versatility and ease of use make it a valuable asset in an educational setting. The high print quality ensures that all documents, whether black and white or color, are clear and professional.

Legal Offices

Legal offices will appreciate the sharp text quality and secure print features. Whether printing contracts, case files, or legal briefs, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw ensures that every document is clear and professional. The secure print feature adds an extra layer of confidentiality, protecting sensitive information.

Pros and Cons: The Final Balance

Like any piece of technology, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw has its pros and cons. Let’s take a balanced look at both.

Pros

Fast Print Speed: Up to 35 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white documents.
High-Quality Output: Crisp text and vibrant colors, suitable for a variety of print jobs.
User-Friendly Touchscreen: 5-inch color touchscreen with customizable interface.
Multiple Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, and mobile printing support.
Auto-Duplex Printing: Saves paper and gives documents a professional look.
High-Capacity Toner Cartridges: Fewer interruptions for toner replacements.
Energy Efficient: ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Silver certified.
Secure Print Feature: Protects confidential information.
Expandable Paper Capacity: Up to 850 sheets with optional cassette.
3-Year Limited Warranty: Provides peace of mind.

Cons

High Initial Cost: The initial investment is higher compared to some other printers.
Somewhat High Running Costs: High-capacity toner cartridges can be expensive.
Limited Paper Output Tray: The 150-sheet output tray may not be sufficient for very high-volume printing environments.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

So, after all this chatter, is the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw worth your consideration? In short, yes. This printer offers a solid blend of speed, quality, and user-friendly features that make it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses. It’s designed to handle a variety of print jobs with ease, from text-heavy documents to vibrant color prints.

The intuitive 5-inch color touchscreen, multiple connectivity options, and high-capacity toner cartridges make it a convenient and efficient tool for any office. Plus, its energy-efficient design and minimal maintenance requirements mean you can focus more on your work and less on managing the printer.

Final Recommendation

If you’re in the market for a reliable, high-performance printer that can handle the demands of a busy office, the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw is definitely worth considering. Its combination of speed, quality, and user-friendly features make it a standout choice in its category.

While it does come with somewhat high running costs, the benefits it offers in terms of performance and convenience outweigh this drawback. The printer’s robust design and reliable performance make it a valuable asset for any business looking to streamline their printing tasks.

So, there you have it – the Canon Color imageClass LBP674Cdw Wireless Printer Review. Whether you’re printing last-minute reports, vibrant marketing materials, or confidential documents, this printer is designed to make your life easier and your office more efficient. Give it a try, and you might just find that it changes your perspective on what a printer can do.