The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is an affordable all-in-one inkjet printer that combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing functions in a compact design. It is a versatile solution designed for home offices and personal use, offering easy wireless connectivity and decent print quality at an affordable price. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon PIXMA TR4720, why you should consider purchasing it, after-sales service costs, and who this printer is best suited for.
Contents
Introduction to Canon PIXMA TR4720
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is part of Canon’s affordable PIXMA lineup, offering multifunctional capabilities for home and small office environments. It is designed to handle essential tasks such as document printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. With wireless connectivity, including support for Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Canon’s PRINT app, the TR4720 is a versatile, user-friendly option for those who need a budget-friendly all-in-one printer.
Whether you need to print school assignments, important work documents, or occasional photos, this printer offers good value for money. It also features automatic duplex printing, which helps save paper, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning and copying multiple pages.
Key Features of Canon PIXMA TR4720
- All-in-One Functionality: The TR4720 offers print, copy, scan, and fax functions, making it a versatile option for small offices and homes.
- Print Quality: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution for clear text and vibrant color prints.
- Print Speed: Up to 8.8 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 4.4 ppm for color, making it suitable for light-to-moderate printing needs.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): The 20-sheet ADF allows you to scan, copy, or fax multi-page documents quickly and efficiently.
- Duplex Printing: Supports automatic two-sided printing, saving paper and time.
- Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Canon PRINT app support, allowing you to print from smartphones, tablets, and computers.
- Compact Design: Its small footprint makes it ideal for home offices or rooms where space is limited.
- Affordable Ink Cartridges: Uses Canon PG-275 black and CL-276 color ink cartridges, which are relatively affordable compared to other models.
Advantages of Canon PIXMA TR4720
- All-in-One Functionality:
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 integrates printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into one device, eliminating the need for multiple machines. This makes it convenient for users who need a multifunctional device but want to save space. - Affordable Price:
The TR4720 is priced competitively, making it one of the most affordable all-in-one printers with such a comprehensive feature set. It’s ideal for budget-conscious users looking for basic office functionality without breaking the bank. - Compact Design:
Despite its multifunction capabilities, the TR4720 has a compact and lightweight design, making it suitable for smaller workspaces like home offices, dorm rooms, or bedrooms. - Wireless Printing:
With built-in Wi-Fi and support for mobile printing apps such as Canon PRINT, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print, users can print from their smartphones, tablets, and laptops without the need for a direct connection. - Automatic Document Feeder (ADF):
The 20-sheet ADF is a standout feature at this price point, enabling easy scanning, copying, and faxing of multi-page documents without having to manually feed each page. - Automatic Duplex Printing:
The automatic double-sided printing feature saves paper and helps reduce waste, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective. - User-Friendly Setup and Interface:
The Canon PRINT app simplifies setup and daily use, allowing users to print, scan, and check printer status remotely. The 2-line LCD display and simple control panel make navigation easy, even for beginners. - Decent Print Quality:
The printer offers a respectable print resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, providing crisp text and vibrant colors for home documents, reports, and photos.
Disadvantages of Canon PIXMA TR4720
- Slower Print Speed:
With print speeds of 8.8 ppm for black and 4.4 ppm for color, the TR4720 may feel slow for users who need to print large volumes of documents frequently. This makes it less ideal for busy offices or individuals who require fast printing. - Basic LCD Display:
The 2-line monochrome LCD display is functional but quite basic compared to the color touchscreens found on higher-end models. It lacks some of the intuitive controls and interactive menus seen on more premium printers. - Noisy Operation:
Some users have noted that the TR4720 can be relatively noisy during operation, which may be disruptive in quieter environments. - No High-Yield Ink Option:
The TR4720 uses PG-275 and CL-276 standard yield ink cartridges, which have a relatively low page yield compared to high-yield cartridges. As a result, users may find themselves replacing ink more frequently, leading to higher ongoing costs, especially if printing in color. - Limited Paper Capacity:
The 100-sheet rear paper tray is sufficient for light use but may require frequent refilling if used in higher-volume settings. This can be inconvenient for small offices or users who need to print larger batches of documents.
Why You Should Purchase Canon PIXMA TR4720
- For Affordability and Versatility: The Canon PIXMA TR4720 offers a well-rounded set of features at an affordable price. If you need a reliable printer that can handle basic tasks such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, this is a great value option.
- For Light Home Office Use: This printer is ideal for home offices where printing volumes are relatively low but multifunction capabilities are essential. It’s particularly useful for students, remote workers, or anyone who needs a compact, all-in-one device.
- For Occasional Photo Printing: While not specifically designed for photo enthusiasts, the TR4720 offers decent color accuracy and resolution for occasional photo printing, making it a good fit for families who want to print personal photos at home.
- For Mobile and Wireless Printing: With wireless connectivity and mobile printing capabilities, the TR4720 is highly convenient for households where multiple devices need to access the printer without physically connecting to it.
- For Eco-Conscious Users: Automatic duplex printing reduces paper waste, which is a valuable feature for environmentally conscious individuals or families looking to lower their carbon footprint.
After-Sales Service and Cost
- Warranty: The Canon PIXMA TR4720 comes with a 1-year limited warranty, covering parts and labor. This warranty ensures that users can get support for any manufacturing defects or issues that arise during normal use.
- Ink Costs: The printer uses Canon’s PG-275 black and CL-276 color ink cartridges. While these cartridges are relatively affordable, frequent printing, especially in color, can lead to higher ink costs over time due to the lack of high-yield cartridge options. Subscribing to Canon’s Instant Ink service may help reduce these ongoing costs.
- Extended Service Plans: Canon offers extended service plans, which can be purchased for additional coverage beyond the 1-year warranty. These plans are useful for users who want to ensure their printer is protected against future issues.
- Repair Costs: Out-of-warranty repairs can be costly, particularly for components like the printhead or paper feed mechanisms. In many cases, if the printer develops serious issues after the warranty period, it may be more cost-effective to replace the unit rather than repair it.
Who Should Purchase Canon PIXMA TR4720?
- Home Office Users:
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is perfect for home offices or small workspaces that need a multifunctional device without a large budget. It can handle essential tasks such as printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, which are critical for remote workers and small businesses. - Students:
For students who need to print assignments, reports, or scan documents, the TR4720 offers a compact and affordable solution. Its wireless printing capabilities also allow easy printing from mobile devices, laptops, or desktops. - Families:
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, versatile printer for family use, the TR4720’s ability to handle everything from schoolwork to photos makes it a good fit. The affordability and ease of setup also make it family-friendly. - Budget-Conscious Users:
For users on a tight budget who still need reliable multifunctional capabilities, the TR4720 is one of the best options available. Its low upfront cost and reasonable ink prices make it an excellent choice for users who print occasionally but need access to scanning, copying, and faxing features.
Conclusion
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is an affordable, versatile all-in-one printer designed to meet the needs of home offices, students, and families. While it may not be the fastest or most advanced printer on the market, it offers excellent value for money, especially for users looking for multifunctional capabilities in a compact design. With features like wireless printing, a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, and automatic duplex printing, the TR4720 is a solid choice for those who need basic office functions without spending too much. Its limitations, such as slower print speeds and higher ink costs for frequent users, are balanced by its affordability and convenience.
