What You Should Know Head2Head Hands-On Test Report
Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 All-in-One Printer
Table of Contents Executive Summary Background Information Image Quality Print Copy Scan Fax Ease of Use Client/Management Software Hardware Installation Software/Network Installation Maintenance Media Handling Cost Per Page And TCO Space/Power/Warranty Eco-Friendly Features Ratings Summary Chart 29
Canon PIXMA MX340 Wireless All-in-One Printer
Imaging Technology: Thermal Color Ink-Jet Functions: Color Print/Copy/Scan/Fax Print Speed (Normal): 6 (black)/4 (color) ppm Maximum Monthly Volume: 3,000 pages Suggested Retail Price: $99.00 Availability: Retail, www.HP.com Introduction Date: March 2010
Ratings Summary* Canon Score HP Score 4 Image Quality Print Copy Scan Fax Ease of Use Software Hardware Installation Software Installation Maintenance Media Handling Cost Per Page Space/Power/Warranty Eco-Friendly Features OVERALL SCORE 46 *From of 0 to 5, with 5 being best.
Imaging Technology: Thermal Color Ink-Jet Functions: Color Print/Copy/Scan/Fax Print Speed (Normal): 8.48 (black)/4.8 (color) ppm Maximum Monthly Volume: Not published Estimated Retail Pricing: $99.99 Availability: Retail, www.usa.Canon.com Introduction Date: January 2010

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 All-in-One Printer was the winner of this What You Should Know Hands-Test Report: Cost Per Page and Total Cost of Ownership The PIXMA MX3400s black ink cost per page is 0.9 cents per page higher and its color ink cost per page is 0.7 cents higher than the Officejet 4500s black and color cost per page. The Officejet 4500 also has a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than the PIXMA MX340. The Officejet 4500s TCO is lower at all monthly volumes, in both B/W, color and mixed black/color output. Overall, the PIXMA MX340 will be more expensive to own and operate than the Officejet 4500. Ink System The PIXMA MX340s black ink cartridge has a significantly lower page yield than the Officejet 4500s black inkcartridge page yield. Consequently, PIXMA MX340 users will have to spend more time replacing the black ink cartridge. The PIXMA MX340 may use more expensive color ink when printing black images, as stated in the systems User Manual. Single-Set Collation Since the PIXMA MX340 has a straight-through media path, by default it prints pages in incorrect order (10, 9, 8, 7 etc.), so that users must manually arrange pages so that they are in correct order, which increases total job time. Also, ink may still be drying, and users may inadvertently smear it when rearranging pages. In contrast, the Officejet 4500 automatically prints in the correct order (first-page-to-last-page), and theres no need to collate output. In order for the PIXMA MX340 to print a document in correct order, the user must check the Print from Last Page option on the print driver. The user may also check this option in Printer Properties in the Printer Folder. However, in testing Wirth Consulting found that print speed was slower when we selected correct first-page-to-last-page printing: for instance, it took 17.59 seconds longer to print a 10-page Adobe Acrobat B/W text document when correct first-page-tolast-page printing was selected.
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Friday, June 04, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500

Canon PIXMA MX340

In default copy mode, the PIXMA M340 also prints copies last-page-to-first page. The user must then spend additional time manually arranging the document in correct order. Again, ink may still be drying, and users may inadvertently smear it when re-arranging pages. The Officejet 4500 automatically produces output in the correct order. In order for the PIXMA MX340 to produce copies in the correct order (first-page-to-last-page), users must remember to select the Collate option at the control panel. However, testing showed that the PIXMA MX340s internal memory only accommodates up to 15 originals (at 5% page coverage), so that original documents longer than 15 pages cannot be reproduced in collate mode.
Image Quality Color photos printed by the PIXMA MX340 displayed an overly contrasted appearance versus color photos printed by the Officejet 4500. Software With the PIXMA MX340s OCR software, theres no option for preserving page layout or the capturing of images (its output is text only). This means users will have to reformat OCRed documents. In contrast, with the Officejet 4500, users can process scanned documents with OCR software, and documents will retain their page formatting. The PIXMA MX340s software consists of a disparate collection of utilities that are not consolidated into a single user interface as with the Officejet 4500s Solution Center. This makes accessing the PIXMA MX340s utilities somewhat more time-consuming. With the PIXMA MX340, two items run in the background, while with the Officejet 4500, only one item runs in the background. Ease of Use The PIXMA MX340S LCD display is not backlit, so that it is difficult to read in low-light conditions, such as home offices. With the PIXMA MX340s control panel, navigating the menu system requires more steps than with the Officejet 4500, as users must press not only arrow keys, but also Menu and Settings keys, so that specifying settings with the PIXMA MX340 is more complex and time-consuming. The PIXMA MX340s print driver has five tabs, versus the Officejet 4500 print drivers three tabs, making navigation of the PIXMA MX340 print driver more complicated. Eco-Friendly Features Canon does not publish energy consumption for the PIXMA MX340, so perhaps it is not a priority. In contrast, the Officejet 4500 consumes 17 watts of energy in active modeor less than half that of a 40-watt light bulb. Along with HPs product and ink-cartridge recycling programs, this makes the Officejet 4500 a very environmentally friendly green product. Canon does not have an ink-cartridge collection and recycling program. In contrast, HP has an ink-cartridge collection and recycling program, so that its helping ensure discarded ink cartridges do not contribute to landfills. Media Handling The PIXMA MX340 supports only up to 28 lb. bond; in contrast, the Officejet 4500 supports up to 110 lb. index stock. The Officejet 4500 also supports greeting-card stock, brochure paper and transparencies, which are not supported by the PIXMA MX340. Networking The PIXMA MX340 provides only wireless network connectivity. In contrast, HP offers two versions of the Officejet 4500, one with wired network connectivity, another with wireless network connectivity, so that customers can choose the configuration that best suits their needs. Fax The PIXMA MX340 does not provide fax forwarding, receiving faxes at the computer workstation, broadcasting or pollingall of which are provided with the Officejet 4500. The PIXMA MX340 does not provide fax-configuration software; instead, fax configuration must be performed at the

In order to evaluate image quality, Wirth Consulting uses: The highest image-quality settings. ImageXpert Printer 600 dpi Target Version 5.1. ImageXpert Test Target EP-PSv1. Northlight Images UK Grayscale Linearization Test Chart. Synthetic (photographic) test images derived from ISO Internal Standard 12640 Graphic Technology (Prepress Digital-Data Exchange CYMK Standard Color Image Data [CYMK/SCID]). 6. Hammermill 100/112+ Euro Bright, 28 lb. Color Copy Paper. 7. Hammermill Copy Plus 20-lb. bond with ColorLok Technology.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Image-quality samples contained in this report are raw TIFF, non-compressed photos that have been recorded using a high-end digital camera. They are intended to provide readers with our best approximation of image quality. However, all Wirth Consulting comments on image-quality are based on a visual examination of the actual printed image-quality samples themselves, not on the photographs.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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Image-quality originals used by Wirth Consulting when evaluating a devices image quality.
Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 RATING

Canon PIXMA MX340 RATING

STRENGTHS In testing, the Officejet 4500 Series produced crisp black text, and very good resolution and line and dot control for excellent text readability down to 4 pt. font size. The system was able to produce fine detail as well as nearly any digital printer/multifunctional peripheral tested to date. ISO raw TIFF test photographs displayed good detail, good color saturation, no banding, and realistic flesh tones, with photographs displaying a very attractive appearance and vibrant color. No media curling or ink bleed-through or smearing was observed. LIMITATIONS None.
STRENGTHS In testing, the PIXMA MX340 produced good black text, and good resolution and line and dot control for good text readability down to 4 pt. font size. ISO raw TIFF test photographs displayed good detail, good color saturation, and no banding, with color photographs displaying an attractive, although overly-contrasted appearance. No media curling or ink bleed-through or smearing was observed. STRENGTHS Color photographs displayed an overly contrasted appearance.
PRINT-MODE IMAGE QUALITY SAMPLES (RAW TIFF DIGITAL PHOTOS) (Best Mode)
Raw TIFF photo of the test target printed on HP bright white paper. Although this was printed on plain paper, fleshtones are very realistic, halftones are accurate, and color balance was very good.
Raw TIFF photo of the test target printed on HP bright white (plain) paper. Color balance displays a slight brown-gray caste.

PRINT PRODUCTIVITY AND FUNCTIONALITY RATING RATING
HP rates the Officejet 4500s print speed at 28 (B/W)/22 (color) ppm in draft mode and 6 (black)/4 (color) ppm in normal mode. Draft Print Speed : 28/22 ppm PictBridge Port: No 6/4 ppm Bluetooth: No Normal: Wireless: Yes* USB Print Port: 2.0 Yes** Media Card Slots: No Ethernet Networking: CPU: 192 MHz USB Convenience Port: Yes 64 MB Max Print Res.: 4800x1200 dpi Max. Printer Memory: *Officejet 4500 Wireless All-in-One is equipped with Wireless 802.11 b/g connectivity. The tested version was equipped with wired 10/100BaseT Ethernet network interface. **10/100BaseT Ethernet
Canon rates the PIXMA MX340s print speed at 8.4 (black)/4.8 (color) ppm in normal mode and does not publish a rating for print speeds in draft mode. Normal: 8.4/4.8 ppm Wireless: 802.11b/g No Ethernet Networking: CPU: * * Max. Printer Memory: MS Win/Apple Mac: Yes *Information not published. ** BU-30 Bluetooth Adapter ($49.99). PictBridge Port: Yes Bluetooth: Optional** USB Print Port: 2.0 Media Card Slots: No USB Convenience Port: Yes Max Print Res.: 4800x1200 dpi
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TESTED PRINTING PERFORMANCE (PCL 3 GUI Normal Mode) FPOT Job Time PPM (sec.) (sec.) Test Document 1-Page Photo 43.33 43.33 1.38 10-Page Adobe Acrobat Color 40.02 204.86 3.28 10-Page Adobe Acrobat Text 22.46 98.17 7.13 10-Page Power Point Color 48.00 410.00 1.49 10-Page B/W Word Text 19.97 97.14 7.00 PCL 3 GUI PRINT-FILE SIZES (MB) Native File Print File Size Size Test Document 1-Page Photo 2.011 8.12 10-Page Adobe Acrobat Color 0.568 1.37 10-Page Adobe Acrobat Text 0.146 0.51 10-Page Power Point Color 3.641 6.18 10-Page B/W Word Text 0.069 0.35 STRENGTHS Printed output was printed in the correct order, from first-page-to-lastpage (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). No manual collation is required. Choice of wired Ethernet or wireless connectivity, the latter of which provides users with flexibility when choosing the systems installation location. LIMITATIONS None.

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TESTED COPIER PERFORMANCE (ISO MODE USING AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT FEEDER)*
FPOT (sec.) Job Time (sec.) Print Speed (PPM) Test Document Simplex Black 38.01 222.67 2.92 Simplex Color 39.88 242.02 2.67 Duplex Black ---Duplex Color ---*Copy productivity was tested using a 10-page test original composed of B/W and color text with 5% area coverage.
FPOT (sec.) Job Time (sec.) Print Speed (PPM) Test Document Simplex Black 17.57 172.03 3.50 Simplex Color 7.59 226.00 2.47 Duplex Black ---Duplex Color ---*Copy productivity was tested using a 10-page test original composed of B/W and color text with 5% area coverage.
TESTED COPIER PERFORMANCE (PLATEN GLASS)
FPOT (sec.) Job Time (sec.) Print Speed (PPM) Test Document Simplex Black 25.12 103.01 14.93 Simplex Color 29.63 189.45 8.92 *Copy productivity was tested using a 1-page original with 5% area coverage composed of B/W and color text and placed on the flatbed platen glass.
FPOT (sec.) Job Time (sec.) Print Speed (PPM) Test Document Simplex Black 9.95 72.03 8.70 Simplex Color 30.54 231.03 2.69 *Copy productivity was tested using a 1-page original with 5% area coverage composed of B/W and color text and placed on the flatbed platen glass.
STRENGTHS Documents are automatically produced correctly, from first-page-tolast-page. Officejet 4500s copy speed was nearly twice as fast as the PIXMA MX340s copy speed when copying via the flatbed platen. Standard automatic document feeder. Includes business-class copier features such as automatic collation of copies, preset reduction/enlargement, 25-400% image reduction/enlargement, media type, quality mode, etc. Legal-size (8.5x14) originals may be scanned using the automatic document feeder. LIMITATIONS None.
STRENGTHS Standard automatic document feeder. Includes business-class copier features such as automatic collation, media type, preset reduction/enlargement ratios, 25-400% image reduction/enlargement, quality mode, etc. Legal-size (8.5x14) originals may be scanned using the automatic document feeder. LIMITATIONS In default copy mode, a document is produced last-page-to-first page (10, 9, 8, 7, etc.). The user must then spend additional time manually arranging the document in correct order (1, 2, 3, etc.). This can also be problematic, as ink may still be drying, so that when shuffling printed output, users may inadvertently cause smearing. In contrast, with the Officejet 4500, printed output in both print and copy mode is automatically produced in the correct order. In order for the PIXMA MX340 to produce a document in the correct order (first page-to-last), the user must remember to select the Collate option at the control panel. However, in testing, Wirth Consulting observed that system memory only accommodates up to 15 originals (at 5% page coverage), so that original documents longer than 15 pages cannot be reproduced in copy mode.

An Effects tab provides options for adjusting image quality.
The Printer Services button located on the Features tab opens Printer Toolbox. Here users can check ink levels, perform maintenance procedures (below) or check/set network settings.
The Maintenance tab provides options for printer status, cleaning the print head, roller cleaning, performing printer alignment, etc.
Printer Toolbox Device Services.
The View Printer Status button indicates current system status; users can also view ink-level status and the print queue.
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Friday, June 04, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 CONTROL PANEL Canon PIXMA MX340
The Officejet 4500s control panel includes a one-line text LCD display, numeric keypad (left), and hard keys (right). Press the arrow keys in the upper right to select a function (fax, copy or scan) and the indicator on the LCD display indicates the selected function. The Setup (Wrench icon) key in the upper right corner launches setup and maintenance menus. The control panel is very easy to use; one advantage is that the LCD display is backlit, so that it can be easily read in low-light conditions. The red X key is used to both stop printing and clear/cancel menu selections. STRENGTHS Straightforward, easy-to-use control panel with one-line, backlit text LCD display. We did not observe any glare on the LCD display, it is very clear, and text is large and easy to read. Navigating the menu system is simple via two arrow keys on the right of the control panel. The user presses the arrow key until they enter the menu for the desired function (copy, scan or fax), then presses the OK key. Use the arrow keys to view available settings, and press the OK key to select a setting. Users can utilize the numeric keypad when entering number of copies and reduction/enlargement numbers, eliminating having to repeatedly press the arrow key. After the Copy function key is selected, advanced copy functions are accessed by scrolling through them with the and keys. LIMITATIONS None.
The PIXMA MX340s control panel appears straightforward. The fax numeric keypad and fax keys are located on the right, as are black and color copy keys. On the left of the LCD display, press the Copy, Fax or Scan to use any of these functions. To access advanced settings, the user must press the Menu and Settings keys to the left of the LCD display, as well as the and keys under the LCD display. The PIXMA MX340 incorporates a two-line LCD display. However, the LCD display is not backlit, so that it can be difficult to read in low-light conditions. STRENGTHS Easy copy, fax and scan function selection (keys are prominently displayed on left of control panel). Users can utilize the numeric keypad when entering number of copies and reduction/enlargement numbers, eliminating having to repeatedly press the arrow key. LIMITATIONS The PIXMA MX340s LCD display is not backlit, so that it is difficult to read in low-light conditions. The use of the menu selection keys is not intuitive. For example: in order to check network settings, the user must press the Menu key. Conversely, in order to select copy, fax and scan functions, the user must press the Settings key. In order to select advanced settings, the user may have to use either the Menu or Settings key, and must also use the and keys. To select a setting, press the OK key. Text entry using the numeric keypad is not intuitive. In order to switch between uppercase, lowercase, numeric and alphanumeric characters, users must press the Tone key. With the OfficeJet 4500, text entry is exactly the same as using a phone keypadrepeated pressing of the key cycles through both numeric and alphanumeric characters. The Stop key is located on the extreme right of control panel, and its used to both stop printing and cancel menu settings. However, because of the way its labeled (Stop), its not clear that it can also be used to cancel settings.

CLIENT/MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE RATING RATING
The Officejet 4500 All-in-Ones Printers client and management software includes Hewlett-Packard Digital Imaging Monitor, Solution Center, Toolbox utility, OCR software, Smart Web Printing utility, and Document Manager. An embedded Web home page is also available.
STRENGTHS OCR software for converting files into editable text files. formatting is not lost. Page
The PIXMA MX340 client and management software includes Setup Software, MX340 Printer Driver, Easy-PhotoPrint EX, MP Navigator EX, Easy-WebPrint EX (Windows Only), and Solution Menu.
STRENGTHS My Printer icon is installed on the Microsoft Windows task bar, so that with just a quick glance, clients can see the PIXMA MX340s
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Digital Imaging Monitor icon is installed on the Microsoft Windows task bar, so that with just a quick glance, users can see the Officejet 4500s current device status without launching software. Provides easy-to-use software for scanning from the computer desktop, and convenient sending and receiving faxes at the computer workstation. Solution Center provides users with easy network and wireless configuration, as well as easy fax and scan setup from the convenience of the computer workstation. Its easy and straightforward to navigate. One plus is that the Help resources include video clips that explicitly show how to perform tasks such as loading paper and installing ink cartridges, so that even novice users will be able to easily perform these tasks. Document Manager software enables users to annotate, fax, e-mail, and annotate both scanned and saved files, as well as scan from the computer desktop, and provides an easy-to-use workspace at the computer desktop.
current device status without launching software. Provides easy-to-use software for scanning from the computer desktop. My Printer utility provides tools for: Diagnosis and Repair; configure Printer Settings; view Printer Status; and Troubleshooting. Its straightforward and easy to navigate.

LIMITATIONS None.

LIMITATIONS OCR software converts text documents into plain text only, so that formatting is lost. My Printer utilitys Diagnosis and Repair is only available when the system is connected directly to the computer workstation via USB cable, not when its installed as a wireless network device. In contrast, the Officejet 4500s network diagnostics tool can be used whether the device is connected via Ethernet, wireless or USB cable. With the default installation, the PIXMA has two utilities running in the background (Canon My Printer and Canon IJ Network Scan Utility) as opposed to the Officejet 4500s single Digital Imaging Monitor. This means that with the PIXMA MX340s two running utilities, more computer resources are required, which tends to slow down computer performance (for instance, rebooting may be slower). The PIXMA MX340s software utilities consist of a disparate collection of utilities that are not consolidated. The utilities either appear automatically when executing a function (e.g.: Canon MP Navigator EX appears during a scan process), or are accessed through the Windows Start menu, or via the plethora of icons installed by default with the Easy installation procedure.

Network settings and configuration can be configured using Network Settings and a Network Toolbox utility.
To access the My Printer utility, select the Canon My Printer icon in the task bar. Users can configure system settings with the My Printer utility.
The Officejet 4500s network diagnostics tool is identical to that of all of the other Officejet products and can be used whether the device is connected via Ethernet, wireless or USB cable. This is not the case with the PIXMA MX340 howeversee screen shot to the right.
Unlike with the Officejet 4500, the PIXMA MX340s Diagnose and Repair Printer utility is only available when the PIXMA MX340 is connected directly to a computer workstation via USB cable.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION RATING RATING
Hardware-Installation Time: 18 minutes STRENGTHS Hardware setup of the Officejet 4500 was easy. One person will be able to remove the system from its shipping carton and place it on a desk or table. As is routine, protective tape must be removed. There is no print head to install (each ink cartridge incorporates its own print head), and there are only two ink cartridges to install. As is usual with Officejet systems evaluated by Wirth Consulting, hardware setup was intuitive and easy. The Start Here guide provides all necessary guidance, as well as graphic instructions to make hardware setup very easy. The process of installing ink cartridges is virtually fool-proof and only takes a few minutes. Because both ink cartridges and the slots where
Hardware-Installation Time: 16 minutes STRENGTHS Hardware setup of the PIXMA MX340 was easy. One person will be able to remove the system from its shipping carton and place it on a desk or table. As is routine, protective tape must be removed. There is no print head to install (each ink cartridge incorporates its own print head), and there are only two ink cartridges to install. The Getting Started guide provides all necessary guidance, as well as graphic instructions to make hardware setup very easy. The process of installing ink cartridges is very easy, although cartridges are not color-coded, they are clearly labeled. Simply lift up the platen cover/document feeder and insert the cartridges. The cartridges snap easily into their slots, and the process of installing

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the two cartridges are installed are color-coded, theres little chance that users will load cartridges in wrong slots. The area that houses the cartridges is located on the front of the system for easy access; the user just lowers the front door to insert them. The cartridges snap easily into their slots, and the process of installing them is easy and takes just a few minutes. Each cartridge contains a print head, so there is no need to install a print head upon initial installation. LIMITATIONS Ink cartridges load from the front of the device and the user must press up to latch them into place. The first time the user encounters this, it may seem rather unintuitive, as other ink cartridges we have installed require that the user press down on the cartridge in order to secure it into place.
them is easy and takes just a few minutes. Each cartridge contains a print head, so there is no need to install a print head upon initial installation. LIMITATIONS None.
Network Setup Troubleshooting Guide, Getting Started Guide, CD-ROM, etc. included with the PIXMA MX340.
Getting Started Guide, CD-ROM, Savings booklet, etc. included with the Officejet 4500.
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Friday, June 04, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 Canon PIXMA MX340 SOFTWARE AND NETWORK INSTALLATION RATING RATING
The Officejet 4500 Series ships with a CD containing the The PIXMA MX340 ships with a CD containing the installation utility and the software shown in the screen installation utility and the software shown in the screen shot below: shot below:
In a custom installation, the user chooses which software to install. HP Imaging Device Functions is required for using scan and PC fax.
The PIXMA custom installation requires installation of the MP Drivers in order to provide basic print, scan and PC fax functions.
Full Software And Network Installation Time:
32 minutes Full Software And Network Installation Time:

24 minutes

STRENGTHS Installing the Officejet 4500s software was very easyjust follow the automated installation utilitys prompts. Very easy and quick fax setup using the provided fax-installation utility. LIMITATIONS None.

STRENGTHS Replacing ink cartridges is very easy; ink cartridges are clearly labeled. Lift up the platen/document-feeder assembly to install them in the cartridge carrier. The cartridges snap easily into their slots. Each cartridge contains a print head, so theres no need to install a print head upon initial installation. To load media, open the tray and unfold the paper support. Slide the paper trays paper guide to the left, slide in the paper, and then adjust the paper guide to fit the paper width. Easy access to misfeed-access areas. No misfeeds occurred in testing. Prints even when ink cartridge is low. LIMITATIONS None.
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Friday, June 04, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 Canon PIXMA MX340 INSTALLING PRINT HEAD AND INK CARTRIDGES
The Officejet 4500 uses a black ink cartridge and tri-color ink cartridge. The inkcartridge carrier is accessed from the front of the unit and is located under a dropdown panel that is pulled down. Next, un-wrap the black ink cartridge.
The PIXMA MX340 uses a black ink cartridge and tri-color ink cartridge. The ink-cartridge carrier is accessed by lifting up the platen cover/document feeder assembly and ensuring that the Scanning Unit Support prop latch is secured. Next, un-wrap the black ink cartridge.
Next, remove a protective strip, and insert the color-coded cartridge into its colorcoded slot. Press up so that the cartridge snaps into place. Next, remove a protective strip and lift up the latch. Insert the color-coded cartridge into its color-coded slot and press down the latch.
Ink cartridges installed.
Solution Centers Help page contains a How Do I? link that provides video clips demonstrating how to perform common tasks and maintenance. Heres a video clip for replacing ink cartridges. Wirth Consulting has found that video clips such as these tend to be much more effective than text or graphics for showing users how to perform tasks.
The PIXMA MX340s ink-cartridge replacement procedure is detailed in the On-screen Manual.
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Friday, June 04, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 MISFEED ACCESS Canon PIXMA MX340
Officejet 4500 ADF misfeeds are accessed by lifting up the ADFs top cover. In order to access certain types of misfeeds in the media path, lower the front panel (right photo). Note that no misfeeds occurred in testing.
PIXMA MX340 ADF misfeeds are also accessed by lifting up the ADFs top cover. Note that no misfeeds occurred in testing.
On the back of the system, press this latch in order to remove the media inverter to access any misfeeds that may occur in this portion of the media path.

With the Officejet 4500, users can print on a broad range of paper types, including plain paper, various HP Premium and photo papers, transparencies, iron-on transfers, brochure paper, greeting-card stock, etc. STRENGTHS Standard automatic document feeder. Borderless printing up to 8.5x11. Print on custom media up to 8.5 x 30. Print on heavier weight mediaup to 110 lb. index stock. Broad range of media-type support includes greeting-card stock, brochure paper, and transparency films.
The PIXMA MX340s Media Type selections contain more settings for Japanese media than the Officejet 4500. STRENGTHS Standard automatic document feeder. Borderless printing up to 8.5x11. Dedicated output tray. Print on custom media up to 8.5x26.21. LIMITATIONS Maximum media weight is only up to 28 lb. bond versus the Officejet 4500s ability to handle up to 53 lb. bond (110 lb. index).
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LIMITATIONS There is no dedicated paper-output tray. However, this is a minor disadvantage, as Wirth Consulting did not observe any functional problems.
Moderate media support includes Japanese media types, but does not include transparency films, brochure paper, or greeting-card stock. Despite a prominent display on the PIXMA MX340s carton (see photo below), there is no automatic duplex printing (as with the Officejet 4500, duplexing is manual).
Although the PIXMA MX340s shipping carton (left) advertises that automatic duplex printing is provided, duplexing is manual only (right).
COST PER PAGE AND TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP RATING RATING
901XL Black Ink Price/Yield*: 901 Tri-Color Ink Cartridge Price/Yield*: *Pages at 5% area coverage per color. $31.99/700 pages $28.99/360 pages Black/Color Supply Cost Per Page: 4.57/12.62* cents *Using 901XL black ink cartridge. Highest-yield cartridges available. STRENGTHS Both the Officejet 4500s black and color cost per page (4.57 and 12.62 cents per page respectively) are lower than that of the PIXMA MX340 (5.48 and 13.32 cents respectively). The Officejet 4500s black ink cartridge has a much higher page yield than the PIXMA MX340s black ink cartridges (700 versus 401 pages). That means PIXMA MX340 users will have to spend more time replacing ink cartridges. The Officejet 4500 has a lower Total Cost of Ownership at all monthly page volumes when printing B&W, color, and mixed color/B&W output compared to the PIXMA MX340. LIMITATIONS None.

WEIGHT

POWER REQUIREMENTS Electrical Supply: 100-240 VAC (+/- 10%), 50/60 Hz (+/- 3 Hz) 17 watts Max. power consumption: Power Save Mode: 7 watts 7 watts Standby Mode: MAINTENANCE ACCESS Access Requirements: Top, front, rear
WARRANTY The Officejet 4500 Series has a one-year warranty. Hewlett-Packard also provides 24-hour, 7 days per week Web support, and business-hour phone support within the products warranty period.
WARRANTY The PIXMA MX340 has a one-year warranty. Canon provides technical support via e-mail and phone.
Hewlett-Packards Officejet 4500 as tested by Wirth Consulting. STRENGTHS Exceptionally low operating power consumption of just 17 watts. Low power consumption of just 7 watts in both Power Save and Standby modes, and less than 1 watt in off mode. One-year limited hardware warranty backed by HP Customer Care, service and support, and one-year technical phone support. Customers may upgrade to two- or three-years warranties with nextbusiness-day exchange and Enhanced Technical Phone Support. LIMITATIONS None.
Canons PIXMA MX340 as tested by Wirth Consulting. STRENGTHS Document, media and output trays fold up, saving space and giving the unit a sleek appearance.
LIMITATIONS Canon does not publish energy consumption for the PIXMA MX340.
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Friday, June 04, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 Canon PIXMA MX340 ECO-FRIENDLY FEATURES RATING RATING
STRENGTHS Energy Star-certification means the system meets U.S. EPA powerconservation standards for low power consumption in standby mode. The Officejet 4500 Series consumes a maximum of 17 watts of power when operating, or less than half that of a 40-watt light bulb. This is lower than that of most ink-jet All-in-Ones, and considerably lower than laser All-inOnes power consumption. A look at Wirth Consultings database indicates that color laser systems typically consume at least 400 watts of power during operation (with many consuming up to 500 and 700 watts). This means that the Officejet 4500 consumes approximately less than 10-percent the energy of color laser All-in-Ones. Users will not only pay less for energy consumption, but will contribute less to carbon emissions. HP provides an ink-cartridge recycling program, Planet Partners, which is available in 42 countries and territories around the world. HP will not refill, resell or send cartridges to landfills, but will instead recycle them. The company will also recycle used HP printers and other HP imaging equipment via its HP Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program. With this program, customers can avoid contributing to landfills, as HP will provide prepaid shipping for the return of the products for recycling. HPs Smart Web Printing utility helps users reduce paper consumption when printing Web content. This free Web utility enables users to select and combine Web pages from different Web sites, so that users do not print pages with only small amounts of content (with pages being mostly blank), saving paper. LIMITATIONS None.

April 2010 Wirth Consulting, LLC Denville, New Jersey USA www.wirthconsulting.org Page 29
HP Officejet 4500 vs. Canon PIXMA MX340
Hewlett-Packard Officejet 4500 All-in-One Series
ABOUT WIRTH CONSULTING Wirth Consulting was founded in order to provide independent competitive evaluations of digital-imaging equipment. Founder Terry Wirth has over 30 years of experience in the evaluation and testing of business-imaging equipment, and as former chairman and member since 1989 of the American Society for the Testing of Materials (ASTM) F05 Committee on Business Imaging Products, he has authored numerous, published ASTM test methods. ABOUT WIRTH CONSULTING RATINGS When Wirth Consulting rates imaging devices, it assigns the device one of the following ratings: Outstanding, Well Worth Consideration, Worth Consideration, and Not Worth Consideration.
Contact Us Wirth Consulting LLC www.wirthconsulting.org info@wirthconsulting.org +1 (862) 223-Middlefield Court Denville, NJ 07834 USA
April 2010 Wirth Consulting, LLC Denville, New Jersey USA www.wirthconsulting.org Page 30