Rating: 7/10
A few months back I reviewed the Epson RX420 Office Inkjet and on opening the box of this CX3600 model, I got a slight deja vu moment. Physically, they appear identical. Yes, the CX3600 is light grey and silver whilst the RX420 has a dark grey and gunmetal finish but still, it really could have been the same model.
Out of curiosity I then went to the Epson website and brought up both specification sheets in search of the differences - from what I deducted there aren't many. The CX3600 has a lower scanner resolution of 600dpi x 1200dpi and there are also less paper types and sizes quoted, but it's an identical paper handling mechanism that can take envelopes even if Epson don't list them. The other advertised difference is, believe it or not, it uses different inks. So although the cartridges are the same physical size and colours, the CX version uses special DURABrite versions. On further research, it seems that actually the cartridges are interchangeable even if the driver whinges that they aren't made for that specific printer. Whatever you use, the results are very crisp for a four-ink printer although they don't compare well with the Epson six-ink models in photo printing.
So on the negative side the scanner isn't as good but conversely the ink is better. However, the CX has one major advantage on its side: price. The RX had an RRP of £129 - you could find it for £30 less - but the CX has an RRP of just £99 and, with some searching around, can be yours for £70 or less.
Unless scanning is really important to you, and if it is then get a proper scanner, I can see no reason why you'd buy the RX420 over this model.
I'd still like to see a multifunctional printer that can handle disc printing or that comes with inbuilt WiFi capability, but in the meanwhile this is actually a very good printer for the money. Of course, you should remember that it is still an inkjet printer, which is by far the most expensive means to produce output, and as such I can't recommend anyone uses it for volume printing.
But, if you must have a multifunctional inkjet printer then this one is excellent value.
For more information, visit Micromart.co.uk