Perhaps the most exciting feature for those who print documents or want to print scrapbook pages is the built-in duplex ability. Double-sided printouts are now easily handled, and with double-sided photo papers you can print your own books using the bundled Canon software. The printer driver contains a number of controls to modify your prints, including monochrome effects, noise reduction and color enhancement. Software Bundle Canon’s print driver offers a wealth of settings for the user with options to enhance color photos, convert to black and white and sepia or other monochrome tones, sharpening and noise reduction. The Stamp/ Background tab lets you put a watermark on the page or print a background graphic. If you’re not sure which settings or paper to use, a link to the Canon Print Adviser will help you make the selections needed. Included with the iP8500 is a respectable set of utilities and programs. Windows and Macintosh users get Easy-PhotoPrint 3.0 for quickly selecting, enhancing and printing images. Additional software for Windows users include PhotoRecord and Easy-WebPrint. One thing you won’t find with the US version of the iP8500 though is CD printing. The international version of this printer includes support for printing directly onto compatible CD and DVD media. This was a disappointment to me and means that I’ll be keeping my Epson around for this duty. The print status monitor will let you know when you’re running low on ink. Because each color has its own tank, you only replace the one you need. Conclusion Canon has a real winner with the PIXMA iP8500. If you don’t need to print 13” wide, the iP8500 will give you all the benefit of its big brother, the i9900, in a smaller package for $150 less. And you’ll get double-sided printing to boot! The only negatives I found were the lack of an included USB cable and no support for CD printing. Specifications Color Photo Print Speed: 4x6 borderless photo: approximately 21 seconds Picoliter Size: (color): 2 Print Resolution: 4800x2400 dpi OS Compatibility: Windows® XP/Me/2000/98 and Mac® OS 9.x, OS X version 10.2.1 to 10.3.x Standard Interface(s): USB, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed3 and Direct Print Port (cables not included) Buffer/RAM: 80KB Paper Sizes: Letter, Legal, Credit Card (2.13x3.39), 4x6, 5x7, U.S. #10 Envelopes Power Source: 120V AC, 60Hz Dimensions: 17.8x6.7x11.5 Weight: 15.4 lbs. Street Price: $349 Distributor: Canon U.S.A., Inc., One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042, 1-800-OK-CANON, www.usa.canon.com/consumer Software Included CD-ROM including Printer Driver, Setup Software and User’s Guide, Electronic Photo Application Guide, Electronic User’s Guide, e-registration, Easy-PhotoPrint 3.0 (Windows/Mac), PhotoRecord® (Windows), Easy-WebPrint (Windows only, requires Microsoft® Internet Explorer version 5.5, version 6.0 recommended). For more information, go to www.usa.canon.com.