Decent machine.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Fast printing, very good printing results on a variety of paper.

Cons: If you have Vista I don't know if it will work.

The Bottom Line: 
I have used photo paper and regular paper and haven't had a problem yet. Printing is very good. It is a good price for what it can do.

Author's Review
I wasn't looking for a machine with too many extras that I would never use.
I wouldn't call the MX850 a printer but more like a copy machine with a few extras and you can connect it to your computer. Having a paper cartridge is nice, no more sagging/warped paper hanging around when I don't use the printer for some time. The 2 sided print/copy option is nice and having an lcd display makes things easier. It is alittle noisy when copying a document with the top auto feeder, printing from the computer it is not any louder than any other printer. The footprint is alittle large and the unit is alittle heavy, but you must understand that the power supply is inside it, because there's space, instead of having a transformer sitting on your floor.
 I do like the way the printer is designed. If you don't use it much you can close all the paper ports and keep dust and such out and if you save the bag it came in, it works well as a dust cover.
It is alot faster than my old Lexmark x83 and instead of changing one expensive color cartridge the Canon has 5 that are cheaper. I can't attest as to how long the ink lasts, yet.
The setup instructions were good, I am using XP. Installation and setup time is around 20-30 minutes, depending on how long you stare in awe as you install the ink wells, they light up red when working.
On the box is states the SOFTWARE will NOT work with Vista. But in the documentation inside the box there was reference to Vista installation.
There was some assembly required, it was routine and easy enough.
I have not tested network or fax connection nor other media connection.
-Update 
 After using the machine alittle more now, I am quite impressed by the printing quality and colors.
-Update 2
 After making quite a few photo prints and some normal copies and printing in general, APPROX 30+ pages, the first ink well indicator to go down alittle bit is the 'C' ink. I know this may not mean much but, more data to go on.
-Update 3 
 I planned to buy canon replacement ink. But curious I looked into some of the popular 'cheap ink' online sites and they do not have ink for this printer. So if that's the way you buy ink look into the availability of it at your favorite site.