Canon PIXMA GM4050 Driver

Canon PIXMA GM4050 Driver– Canon’s Pixma G7050 color ink tank printer now shows its first S / W-ink tank model, the GM4050 with ADF as a brother to the pure GM2050 printer. As a special feature, colors can be equipped with “normal” ink cartridges.

GM4050 is expected to enter the market in December for around 400 euros. It’s about 100 euros cheaper than the G7050 color printer – Canon has donated a fax module – but the B / W version doesn’t. The model is positioned against the ET-M3000 series from Epson.

Printing unit and black ink
The B / W version has the same black print head as the Pixma G7050 color variant and therefore prints with ease: 13 pages per minute. The more expensive Epson models all offer 20 ipm (images per minute).

The biggest drawback of Pixma is probably the pigment ink used. It must match the ink from the printer cartridge and offer sharp and rich text, but in our experience, it cannot stand stains (see a comparison of external links). Therefore, slightly longer drying time is required at Canon. Like the Pixma TS6250, it can, therefore, be assumed that the duplex speed will decrease and the ink application will also be somewhat reduced. Canon does not provide any tempo information for this model. The competing Epson reaches around 9 ppm in duplex printing (4.5 pages per minute printed on both sides).

Also optional with color printing
Like the Pixma GM2050, the “conventional” Canon CL-541 series print cartridge can also be installed in the printer. Then color printing is also possible. The printing costs are moderate with color cartridges, but can quickly exceed the additional costs for the G7050 color model.

paper feed
Canon is versatile in terms of paper delivery. In addition to the 250-sheet paper tapes for plain paper in A4 or A5 format, there is also a 100-sheet rear multi-function tray that can also hold thicker media in other formats or envelopes. Canon determines the maximum mature of 90 g / m². 106 g / m² HR-101N high-resolution paper can also be recorded through the printer driver. Apart from paper tapes, Epson’s only has a rear bypass feeder for one sheet.

Automatic duplex units that support A4 and A5 formats are standard. However, borderless printing is not possible – this also applies in the optional color mode. About three mm remain unprinted on each side. Below and above in duplex mode, this area increases to five mm.

As usual for most printer ink, the paper is produced with the side printed on the top. The Epson process paper internally like a conventional laser printer and place printed prints on the bottom and inside the housing surface. This is an advantage for some multi-page print jobs.

Scanner
This scanner is equipped with a 1200 dpi CIS sensor. There is also an original feeder (ADF) that can automatically read up to 35 consecutive sheets. Unfortunately, this is only possible in simplex mode. The competing Ecotank model also does not have duplex scanning.

Interface, display, operation, and language
GM4050 has a USB connection and can be integrated into the network via WiFi (only 2.4 GHz) or Ethernet (up to 100 Mbit). The control panel can be folded and shade the two-line text display and navigation buttons. There is no key because the fax function is missing.

The GM4050 is designed as a pure GDI printer that runs under Windows (from version 7) and under Mac OS via Airprint. Canon does not provide a PCL / PS version. Epson offers the Ecotank ET-M3180 as a variant at a higher price.

Consumables and follow-up costs
Canon uses the same black ink and bottle, the GI-50PGBK series, which is also used in color printers. A container that holds 170 ml of black pigment, should be enough for around 6,000 pages and costs just under 14 euros. The scope of shipment includes three bottles, which is enough for around 18,000 pages (measured by ISO documents). However, some ink is “lost” for the first initialization.

In comparison, Epson only includes two containers with the same range for its ET-M models. Ink is around one euro more expensive when you buy it, which, however, makes almost no difference when it comes to printed pages.

Exchangeable printheads, not waste ink containers
The print head used is reminiscent of an inexpensive disposable Pixma printer head. Instead, it is not displayed as consumption. If it is worn out, you can buy QY6-8029 as “spare parts” for just under 30 euros.

Waste ink tanks are not interchangeable. The excess ink produced during routine maintenance is stored here. If it must be full at some point, the printer must be serviced. With Epson printers, containers can be exchanged for just under 10 euros. Neither Canon nor Epson provided information about how long it would take for a waste ink tank.

Comparison of follow-up costs
Apart from its performance, a high-quality laser printer but also a very fast black-and-white ink printer from Brother with a large cartridge cannot offset the cost.

Availability and guarantee
Pixma GM4050 is scheduled to go on sale in December. Canon offers a warranty of only twelve months from the date of purchase. Free extensions of up to three years (like eco tanks) are not currently offered.