Features
Prints, scans, copies, and sends faxes
Low-cost ink in bottles
Automatic double-sided printing
Equipped with an automatic document feeder for legal-size scanning
Supports printing and scanning via mobile phones
Drawbacks
Only one paper tray and no bypass tray
Manual self-scanning (instead of automatic)
Specifications of Canon Maxify GX2020
Automatic document feeder
Connection type: Ethernet
Connection type: USB
Connection type: Wi-Fi
Connection type: Direct Wi-Fi
Cost per page (color): 1.25 cents
Cost per page (monochrome): 0.25 cents
Maximum scan area: Legal
Maximum standard paper size: Legal
Monthly duty cycle (maximum): 27,000 pages per month
Monthly duty cycle (recommended): Not available
Number of ink cartridges/tanks: 4
Number of ink colors: 4
Printer input capacity: 250 sheets
Estimated speed at default settings (color): 10 pages per minute
Estimated speed at default settings (monochrome): 15 pages per minute
Scanning resolution: 1,200 × 1,200 pixels per inch
Scanner type: Flatbed with 35-sheet document feeder
Standalone copy and fax device: Yes (copy)
Standalone copy and fax device: Yes (fax)
Type: All-in-one
Review of Canon Maxify GX2020
Just by looking at the model numbers, you might think that the Canon Maxify GX2020 multifunction printer is the next step in the Canon Maxify GX series after the GX1020 and offers more functionalities. You would be right. You may also assume that it offers more functionalities than the GX3020, but that is only partially true. Although it sits between the two models in terms of price, at $379.99, it is the only one among the three that offers fax capabilities and provides an automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning instead of being limited to flatbed scanning. This makes it the best choice among the three if you need to scan, copy, or send faxes for multiple-page documents.
The GX2020 is particularly distinguished from the other two models regarding scanning and copying, thanks to the ADF. It is also clearly the best option if you are frequently sending faxes, as the other two models do not offer this feature at all. The 35-sheet ADF allows you to easily scan multiple-page documents and accommodates legal-size paper, which is larger than the flatbed of the other two printers. The ADF also supports duplex scanning for copying and scanning, meaning it scans one side of a set of pages, waits for you to flip the stack, and then scans the other side, arranging the pages in the correct order. (For faxing, you can scan a two-sided document into a file, then send the file from the computer.)
When copying, you can also set the printer to print single-sided (one side) or double-sided separately, giving you the option to print single and double-sided originals into either single or double-sided copies. When scanning duplex, the printer’s 2.7-inch color touchscreen displays how to reinsert the stack of pages for the second pass.
The actual setup is easy for this class of printers. The GX2020 weighs 17.8 pounds, making it light enough for one person to easily move it to the desired location. It is also compact enough, measuring 8.9 × 14.8 × 15 inches (H × W × D) when the output tray is closed, to keep it on your desk where you can feed in assets for scanning, as well as give commands on the color touchscreen. Once the printer is in the right spot, the rest of the setup involves inserting the print heads, loading paper, and pouring ink into the tanks. As usual, the cyan, yellow, magenta, and black bottles come with key coding, so you cannot pour the ink into the wrong tank. Once the ink is loaded, the printer initiates an automatic alignment process.
Installation
to graphical output, the GX2020 also performed well. Color graphics were vibrant and conveyed adequate detail for business documents. However, it slightly lagged behind the higher-end models in color precision and vibrancy. In photographic prints, colors were generally accurate but occasionally showed some issues with gradients and fine details. On the whole, the printing quality is more than sufficient for everyday business use, but professionals requiring absolute color accuracy for photography might find it lacking in that regard.
Speed was also acceptable for everyday tasks. The printer managed to maintain a steady pace, especially for text documents. However, for larger and more complex graphics, the printing speed would drop noticeably, which could slow down workflows that are heavily graphics-oriented.
Overall, the Canon Maxify GX2020 presents a solid performance in both operational costs and output quality. It’s particularly well-suited for small businesses or home offices that require an efficient, cost-effective printing solution. With its low running costs, decent speed, and acceptable output quality, it is a viable option to consider. Just keep in mind its limitations in areas requiring high detail and color fidelity, especially for graphic-intensive work.
For regular paper prints, the default settings offered rich colors as well as beautifully shaded gradients, and also preserved fine lines on a black background. However, I noticed some distinct lines in the fill of certain illustrations. The images using Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II were of generally medium quality. I noticed some very light fills in light gray in the monochrome image during our tests, but I had to look closely to see them.
In our water resistance tests, the black and color inks smeared only slightly on regular paper. On photo paper, I observed no smearing or water spots after the black and color inks dried. There was no smudging of text on regular paper when using a marker.
Affordable Ink Plus Paper Feeder: A Winning Combination for Small Offices
The GX2020 offers a comprehensive mix of low operating costs, a paper feeder, and fax capabilities. The first makes it a good choice for personal, small office, or medium to heavy home use printing standards. The second makes it more capable of scanning than the above-mentioned flatbed-limited printers. And the fax function can be essential if you regularly send faxes or simply useful for occasional use.
If you don’t send faxes and never need to scan multi-page documents, let alone scan double-sided documents, you might want to consider one of Canon’s other models instead. The GX1020 will give you the same printing capability as the GX2020 at a lower price. The GX3020 will provide similar printing capability—including low operating costs and the same paper handling for printing—along with slightly faster speeds.
If you don’t print enough to offset the low operating costs of a tank-based printer compared to cartridge-based equivalents, be sure to look at the WF-2960. It lacks the ability to easily scan both sides of a stack of pages but generally offers the same printing, scanning, and faxing capabilities. It’s also faster and cheaper upfront, and although it has the highest cost per page in this group, it might give you the lowest total ownership cost depending on your print volume.
However, the GX2020 provides all the main power that each of the other printers mentioned here offers except for the low initial price. And if you print enough pages, the low operating costs will translate into a low total cost of ownership in the long run.
Source: https://me.pcmag.com/en/migrated-20242-printers/21006/canon-maxify-gx2020
Leave a Reply