This Canon copier was long on my short list of copiers to replace my old Savin, which was likely from the civil war era. I had gotten tired of the constant maintenance an old copy machine requires. The new digitals are basically laser printers, scan once print them all. The old one required one pass per copy. Less movement, more stability and longevity.

As a new machine being put into service, the PC980 appears to function well and lives up to its positive on-line reviews. It does have such a short warm-up time it lives up to its billing as a no-warm-up machine. It's a lifesaver if you are in a hurry. The copiers such as my sharp AL1220 need a few minutes to heat the fuser elements. The plastic on the Canon has a sturdier feel than on the Sharp/Xerox models.

You can live with a copy output of thirteen pages a minute but if you have large quantities to copy, you can then appreciate a true office type copier which can shoot out twenty or more. All the machines in this price range claim no-jam feeding. Under perfect conditions the machine works jam free, but the quality of the original must be examined. Old dry brittle paper, paper that had gotten damp, lightweight sub twenty-pound paper, will all jam the feeder. But it can be quickly cleared. Quality of the copy is superb. I expect it to continue that way.

One shortcoming is a lack of total tally counter such as on the Sharp. Push the start and number button and a total comes up. Nothing like that on this Canon. I confirmed that by calling the 800 number for customer service and quickly got human help. This is above average response in dealings with copier/printer/fax makers. I like to know the tally so I can order new supplies. With no total, I have to keep spares handy or rely on a hand tally.

The drum/toner cartridge is efficient, but the "starter" toner cartridge is only rated at 2000 pages at five percent coverage. If you print photos, less out put will result. You can save a few ducats by buying after market toner refill kits. They run about thirty-five dollars or so and give enough toner for four thousand copies, which is the same as the canon OEM toner insert. Follow the instructions and fill your own. Saves about one half on costs.

I had considered buying this machine when it sold for around six hundred. Staples has them now for $499 via a one hundred dollar rebate. There is an on-line ten-dollar coupon, which I also applied to total. While in the store prior to my purchase I noted Staples had the new model Canon which looks suspiciously like my Sharp Al 1220 which is also a Xerox clone. These copiers usually run $650 and up and they all are rated at thirteen copies per minute. The Canon does it for one fifty less, has the same if not better output and no warm up. The Canon PC980 became the best buy hands down. Steal this machine.


Recommended: Yes

Purchase Price (if leased, monthly payment): 499 (489)
Machine age (Months in use): new