The Canon MegaTank GX2020 is an all-in-one inkjet printer designed to handle printing, scanning, and copying needs while offering a unique, high-capacity ink system. As part of Canon's "MegaTank" series, the GX2020 is built to provide users with an affordable, high-volume printing solution, boasting the convenience of wireless connectivity and the performance expected from a reliable office machine. In this review, we’ll explore the GX2020's design, features, performance, pros and cons, and compare it to similar options in the market.
Key Features & Specifications:
- Printing, Copying, Scanning: The GX2020 is a multifunction printer that handles print, copy, and scan operations, making it a versatile option for both home offices and small businesses.
- MegaTank Ink System: The GX2020 uses Canon’s MegaTank technology, which replaces traditional ink cartridges with refillable ink tanks that provide an extremely low cost per page.
- Wireless Connectivity: It supports wireless printing via Wi-Fi, as well as mobile printing options like Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Canon’s own Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app.
- LCD Touchscreen: The 2.7-inch color LCD touchscreen allows for easy navigation of settings and functions, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Auto Duplex Printing: This feature enables the GX2020 to automatically print on both sides of a sheet of paper, saving time and reducing paper waste.
- Auto Document Feeder (ADF): The ADF can hold up to 35 sheets of paper, making it convenient for batch scanning or copying multiple documents without constant intervention.
- Print Speed: The GX2020 can print up to 13.0 ipm (images per minute) in black-and-white and 6.8 ipm in color, which is fairly average for an inkjet printer.
- Print Resolution: It offers a high print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, ensuring sharp text and vibrant images.
- High Ink Yield: The MegaTank ink system offers a massive yield of up to 6,000 black and 14,000 color pages on a single refill, dramatically lowering your per-page printing cost.
- Print Media: It supports various media types, including plain paper, photo paper, envelopes, and more, with a standard paper capacity of 100 sheets in the input tray.
- Size and Weight: The printer has compact dimensions (17.3 x 14.6 x 6.6 inches) and weighs 18.7 lbs, making it manageable for most desks and workspaces.
Design and Build Quality:
The Canon GX2020 features a functional and straightforward design that’s meant to prioritize usability over aesthetics. Its compact footprint makes it suitable for environments with limited space, such as home offices or small businesses. The printer’s matte black finish is unobtrusive, and its build is solid, though not as premium as some higher-end models in the Canon lineup.
One of the standout design features is the MegaTank ink system, which is clearly visible at the front of the printer. The transparent ink reservoirs allow users to monitor ink levels at a glance, a handy feature to ensure you never run out of ink unexpectedly.
The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is responsive and fairly intuitive, offering quick access to the printer's settings, such as adjusting print quality, copying, scanning, and managing ink levels. While not the largest display, it is adequate for the tasks at hand and provides good contrast for visibility.
Performance:
The Canon GX2020 performs well across a range of tasks, particularly in high-volume environments.
Printing:
Print quality is generally good, with text appearing sharp and clear thanks to the high resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi. Colors are vibrant and accurate for a wide range of document types, though photo printing may not be as vivid or sharp as with dedicated photo printers.
One of the biggest advantages of the GX2020 is the MegaTank ink system, which delivers an incredibly low cost per page. Canon estimates that a single set of ink bottles can yield up to 14,000 color prints and 6,000 black-and-white prints, which makes the GX2020 a cost-effective solution for those who print in bulk.
Print speed is decent, with black-and-white prints coming out at 13.0 images per minute (ipm) and color prints at 6.8 ipm. While these speeds are not the fastest in the industry, they are competitive for home and small-office use. The printer's ability to handle larger print jobs efficiently is boosted by the auto duplex printing feature, which allows it to print on both sides of a sheet of paper without manual intervention.
Copying and Scanning:
The Auto Document Feeder (ADF) is a big plus for productivity, especially when copying or scanning multiple pages. It holds up to 35 sheets and works seamlessly for everyday tasks. Scanning quality is solid, with good clarity and color accuracy. However, like most inkjet printers, the GX2020 is not geared for professional-level scanning of high-resolution images.
The copying function is also reliable, offering easy-to-read copies that maintain the integrity of the original document. The ADF also assists in this regard, reducing the time spent refeeding paper.
Wireless Connectivity:
Setting up wireless printing on the Canon GX2020 is simple, whether you’re connecting via Wi-Fi, Apple AirPrint, or Google Cloud Print. Canon’s PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app offers a seamless connection for mobile printing, and the printer is compatible with multiple devices across different operating systems. Printing from a smartphone or tablet is just as easy as from a computer, making it a versatile machine for modern workflows.
Pros:
- Incredibly Low Printing Costs: The MegaTank system offers an extremely low cost per page, making the GX2020 ideal for users who print high volumes of documents.
- High Ink Yield: With the ability to print up to 6,000 black and 14,000 color pages on a single refill, you can go longer between ink refills, reducing the hassle of frequent maintenance.
- Auto Duplex Printing: Saves paper and time by automatically printing on both sides of the page.
- Wireless Connectivity: Easy wireless setup for printing from computers, tablets, and smartphones.
- Auto Document Feeder (ADF): Adds convenience for batch scanning and copying, enhancing productivity.
- Compact Design: The GX2020 is smaller and lighter than many other all-in-one printers, making it ideal for cramped spaces.
- Simple Setup and Use: With its intuitive LCD touchscreen and accessible ink tank design, this printer is user-friendly.
Cons:
- Slower Print Speeds: At 13.0 ipm for black-and-white and 6.8 ipm for color, the GX2020’s print speeds are slower than some competing printers, especially those designed for high-speed office use.
- Limited Color Depth for Photos: While fine for document printing, the GX2020’s photo print quality may not be suitable for professional-grade photography or high-end color work.
- No Fax Function: While the GX2020 is an all-in-one machine with print, scan, and copy capabilities, it lacks a fax function, which may be a dealbreaker for some businesses.
- No Ethernet Port: While it supports wireless connections, there is no option for a wired Ethernet connection for those who prefer a more stable, wired network setup.
Comparison to Similar Printers:
Compared to other printers in its category, such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2720 or Brother INKvestment MFC-J995DW, the Canon MegaTank GX2020 stands out for its very low cost per page thanks to the refillable ink tanks, which can offer up to 14,000 color pages from a single set of ink bottles. While the Epson EcoTank models typically have slightly better photo quality printing, the GX2020 is more cost-efficient for bulk text printing. The Brother MFC-J995DW, while competitive in price, has slightly better print speeds and offers more features like a fax machine and better scanning resolution.
Conclusion:
The Canon MegaTank GX2020 is an excellent choice for users who need a reliable, low-cost solution for high-volume printing in a home office or small business. Its easy-to-use design, long-lasting ink system, and wireless capabilities make it an attractive option for those who prioritize efficiency and affordability. While the print speeds and photo quality may not be top-tier, the GX2020 excels in areas that matter most for everyday document handling, including cost per page, convenience, and functionality. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly all-in-one printer that can handle large print jobs with minimal maintenance, the Canon MegaTank GX2020 is definitely worth considering.
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