Canon has launched its latest laser multi-function device in the form of the Canon imageCLASS MF3240. The MF3240 offers black-and-white printing, copying, color scanning, and high-speed fax capabilities. It comes with a small footprint and is a good addition to your SOHO setup.

As a printer, the MF3240 offers print speeds of up to 21 pages per minute for letter-sized sheets, monochrome print quality up to 1200 x 600 dpi, accepts paper stock up to 8.5" x 14" (legal), and features a 250-sheet, front-loading paper cassette with a manual tray for envelopes and other various paper sizes.

As a copier, the Canon MF3240 offers 21 copies per minute (letter) and a new design which allows you to scan thicker items such as books or magazines. A highlight of the MF3240 is the Canon Single Cartridge System, which combines the toner and imaging drum into a single unit. What does this mean for you? You only have to purchase a single consumable. Also, a full-yield toner cartridge is included which yields up to 2,500 pages at five percent coverage.

For faxing, the MF3240 comes with 33.6 Kbps Super G3 fax(iii) modem. You also get eight one-touch speed dial numbers, 100 coded speed dial numbers, 256-page fax reception memory capacity, sequential broadcasting, and activity reports. That should satisfy most faxing needs.

On the scanning front, the MF3240 accepts originals up to 8.5" x 11.7" in size. You can use the bundled ScanSoft OmniPage SE Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to convert scans into editable text or the NewSoft Presto! PageManager to fill your hardcopies. Connectivity to the PC is via high-speed USB 2.0. An optical resolution of 600 dpi, an enhanced resolution of 9600 dpi, and a color depth of up to 24-bits are other features provided.

The Canon imageCLASS MF3240 has a MSRP of US$199 and will be available at select retail outlets in early March, 2006. The product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Manufacturer website: Canon, USA