Rating: 
Summary: First impressions (& printed pages): EXCELLENT!
Review: 7:00pm: Pick up this printer (ordered from Amazon ...) from my local package receiving guy.
8:00pm: Begin the set up procedure. The quick start guide is clear & accurate - installing the print head, 4 ink cartridges, and drivers is fast and easy. Quick check with the suggested print head alignment feature (note: I cancelled this alignment check & after my 1st test saw that it was perfectly aligned already).
8:20pm: This was easy...I'm set up and ready to go for my first test print! Print a file with flat color graphics and text - fast and flawless! Next test: full color photo at it's highest quality settings. I printed a 1.3 MB photo file on 4x6" sample photo paper supplied with the printer. Print time (from pressing the "print" button to completion): 2 minutes 51 seconds. Speedy by most printers standards. OO-LA-LA...look at these super fine details and accurate colors! Test print one B&W text document: 1 minute 38 seconds. [12/22/2001 - I was in error: a B&W text document will print in only 10 seconds when set to "Grayscale Printing" mode] Text is printed sharp and clear with a dense black. This printer is superb! I'm a happy guy :)! Other details:
•the printing software (I'm using a Mac) is intuitive and well designed. All the print options you would likely want are here.
•Plastics are firm and solid. Appears to be well made. The paper trays are basic but seemingly unbreakable.
•Quiet printing. Compared to my previous Epson 900 this thing whispers. So far I can't find a fault with this thing. Very highly recommended! My problematic Epson 900 printer is for now heading for the closet. Actually, I'm so happy with this Canon printer I'm just going to give my Epson away! [1/10/2002 - Second impressions: solid, consistent performance! The text, contrary to another review, has been razor sharp in my experience. Not one regret in purchasing the 630S!]
Rating:
Summary: First impressions (& printed pages): EXCELLENT!
Review: 7:00pm: Pick up this printer (ordered from Amazon ...) from my local package receiving guy.
8:00pm: Begin the set up procedure. The quick start guide is clear & accurate - installing the print head, 4 ink cartridges, and drivers is fast and easy. Quick check with the suggested print head alignment feature (note: I cancelled this alignment check & after my 1st test saw that it was perfectly aligned already).
8:20pm: This was easy...I'm set up and ready to go for my first test print! Print a file with flat color graphics and text - fast and flawless! Next test: full color photo at it's highest quality settings. I printed a 1.3 MB photo file on 4x6" sample photo paper supplied with the printer. Print time (from pressing the "print" button to completion): 2 minutes 51 seconds. Speedy by most printers standards. OO-LA-LA...look at these super fine details and accurate colors! Test print one B&W text document: 1 minute 38 seconds. [12/22/2001 - I was in error: a B&W text document will print in only 10 seconds when set to "Grayscale Printing" mode] Text is printed sharp and clear with a dense black. This printer is superb! I'm a happy guy :)! Other details:
•the printing software (I'm using a Mac) is intuitive and well designed. All the print options you would likely want are here.
•Plastics are firm and solid. Appears to be well made. The paper trays are basic but seemingly unbreakable.
•Quiet printing. Compared to my previous Epson 900 this thing whispers. So far I can't find a fault with this thing. Very highly recommended! My problematic Epson 900 printer is for now heading for the closet. Actually, I'm so happy with this Canon printer I'm just going to give my Epson away! [1/10/2002 - Second impressions: solid, consistent performance! The text, contrary to another review, has been razor sharp in my experience. Not one regret in purchasing the 630S!]
Rating:
Summary: Great overall printer
Review: After much research into an ink-jet printer that would do a decent job for printing my digital photos, I decided to get the Epson 785EX. I was trying to decide between the HP 1315photo printer, this Canon, and the Epson when a customer walked in and told me he loved the Epson. Brought the Epson home, and it took an hour to install. Made some prints, and the photo quality was not anything near to the Lexmark z51 printer that just died on me--both in terms of color quality and clarity. Returned the Epson for the Canon the next day, and love the Canon. I've only had it for a week, but the prints are pretty good quality on plain paper (still not as good as the Lexmark); I like the separate ink tanks (the Lexmark ink cartridges were very expensive!), and it is very fast. No problems on text printing in draft mode, and the software installed in 10 minutes, no problems. I like its simplicity and it should serve the average digital photo hobbyist well.
Rating:
Summary: S630-perfect for family use
Review: Having read sooooo many reviews, we bought this printer as we upgraded our computer system..it was a cinch to hook up, the print quality is remarkable for both text and photographs....and.....its cute too! A definite good buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Blurred/Spotty Printing After only 6 months!!!
Review: I do lots of printing and this is my 7th ink jet printer in the last 4 years. Without question, this is the fastest and best photo printer I've had yet. I print mostly photographs from 4x6 to 8X10. You'd be hard pressed to see the difference between these ink-jet photos from a real film one. The first word out of everyone's mouth when they see prints coming out of the printer is "WOW" ! I've had lots of problems in the past with Epson and Canon printers jamming up on thick photo paper, but not with this model. I've printed over 600 photos without a single problem. As for inks, frankly I have seen as good or better results by using cheaper cartridges like "Print Rite" or ones I bought from "InkSell.com" (... each) than by using the original Canon inks. With paper, it is no question that the Office Max glossy paper is tops to go with this printer. Surprisingly it is the among the cheapest paper I have found for the best printing results. A pack of 75 8X10 glossy sheets of great paper sells for ... The claim of 2 minutes for a full 8x10 page high resolution photo is on target for this Canon. My previous Epson took 7 minutes and the results were still terrible. No more Epsons for me.
Rating:
Summary: Best Unit for the Price
Review: I do lots of printing and this is my 7th ink jet printer in the last 4 years. Without question, this is the fastest and best photo printer I've had yet. I print mostly photographs from 4x6 to 8X10. You'd be hard pressed to see the difference between these ink-jet photos from a real film one. The first word out of everyone's mouth when they see prints coming out of the printer is "WOW" ! I've had lots of problems in the past with Epson and Canon printers jamming up on thick photo paper, but not with this model. I've printed over 600 photos without a single problem. As for inks, frankly I have seen as good or better results by using cheaper cartridges like "Print Rite" or ones I bought from "InkSell.com" (... each) than by using the original Canon inks. With paper, it is no question that the Office Max glossy paper is tops to go with this printer. Surprisingly it is the among the cheapest paper I have found for the best printing results. A pack of 75 8X10 glossy sheets of great paper sells for ... The claim of 2 minutes for a full 8x10 page high resolution photo is on target for this Canon. My previous Epson took 7 minutes and the results were still terrible. No more Epsons for me.
Rating:
Summary: Great PHOTO printer for the price.
Review: I have to say this printer is leaps and bounds above others in its price range (...). I chose Canon because of prior experience. I started out with a BJ-10ex, BJC-6000 and now this one. I did some research and found that Epson is an ink hog and HP hasn't come close to the photo-quality of Canon and Epson. I did frown down on Epson for making a very loud printer compared to the Canon. Though I have to admit both make some noise when initially feeding the paper in. After that you can barely tell the Canon is printing until it spits it out. I did encounter one problem with attempting to print to the S630. Using Macromedia Fireworks, I tried printing a PNG graphics file but the printer took the paper and spit it right out with no trace of ink on the paper. I haven't made the call the Canon yet. I hope to get it resolved soon. If you decide on buy a printer and want to use another brand of paper don't forget to create a customize "form" before doing so. Just open up your printers folder(assuming you are using Windows) and select File | Server Properties or something very similar. You will then get a windows that lists all the different types of paper sizes and an option to create new ones. This is where you have to measure you paper and input the dimensions in. Do a test run using plain letter size paper and use that as your basis for making adjustments before you use that expensive paper. Unfortunately the poor soul(An electronis fan) who posted on Oct 27,2001 from Chicago, IL USA may not have known this and wasted time, money and patience trying to get it working on a different brand of paper. (...)
Rating: 
Summary: Canon S630 (& S600), major disappointments.
Review: I really hate to rain on anyone's parade, however, both of these printers had major flaws of a similar nature. They could not produce acceptable text at standard or draft resolutions, invariably there would be wavering, poorly formed letters throughout a page of text, so bad it would hurt your eyes to try to even read it. The S 630 produced excellent text at the highest resolution, but slowed to a crawl, especially if the page included graphics of any sort. Photographs on Canon papers were very good, but not excellent.
Unfortunately, Canon, through their on line help, was unable to correct the problems, though they did offer to replace the printhead. After investing many hours over several weeks trying to tweak the S630 to produce acceptable work, I returned it. I should note that the printer was sent to me in a damaged carton, though Amazon graciously informed me they would replace the printer if it proved faulty. I've thrown in the towel as far as Canon S600 Series printers is concerned, but wouldn't discourage anyone else from purchasing one. You may be luckier than I was.
Rating:
Summary: easy, inexpensive and high quality
Review: I recently upgraded to the Canon s630 and I'm quite pleased with the print quality. The photos from my Olympus digital camera print beautifully on either matte or glossy paper, and the poster printing function is a nice plus (You can spread a picture out over a 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 matrix of 8x10 pages, and the printer will divide up the picture for printing. After that, simply cut and paste to get prints up to approximtely 30 by 40 inches.) The printer and software both installed easily and without incident. The ink cartridges install easily. I never pay attention to the pages per minute stats, as they are usually inflated by all manufacturers. I am satisfied with the speed.
While not perfect, I gave it a 5 because I feel it is a very good value. I have not had it long enough to rate reliability or maintenance, but it seems reasonably sturdy and simple in design. I have had to do much less adjustment of my photos to get good prints, and in many cases, none at all. The richness of color is quite pleasing, and the computer art I do looks very nice on glossy paper. Anyone who has tried to duplicate the quality of color from a CRT to paper knows how difficult this can be. I have not had occassion to do much text printing, and have been spoiled by laser printers for text, hence don't expect much from inkjets in that respect.
Rating:
Summary: Blurred/Spotty Printing After only 6 months!!!
Review: I researched printers and ended up on the Canon S630 as one of the best low budget printers. It installed easily and rinted quite nicely during the first couple of months. I then started getting blurred text and pictures. I walked through the various troubleshooting suggestions both on the install CD and the Canon web-site to re-align the heads and clean the tanks. I even forked out another $40 for new printer catridges. I then decided to try and use Canon's email support facility; what a joke. No one ever responded. I called the support number and when I did get through they wanted $10 before they even would talk to me. If you want a reliable and resilent printer, go elsewhere...Don't waste your time with Canon because if things stop working, you're really on your own.
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