There are certain applications where it would be helpful if one could simply fold up their copy machine and take it with them, be it on a business endeavor or for copying an immobile object. Thanks to Canon’s PC, or Personal Copier, series, now you can do just that. The Canon PC-160 is a unit small enough to be called a portable copy machine, it even comes with a useful carrying handle, and fold up paper trays.
Its petite footprint and size are also a factor in the Canon PC-160’s mobility. With dimensions of a mere 14.1″ x 17.3″ x 4.5″ when folded up, and a length of 32 inches when unfolded, the unit is compact enough to fit in a backpack, or to be carried like a briefcase. Sporting a curb weight of only 18.7 pounds, you won’t break your back toting it around either, and, just because the unit is small doesn’t mean it is completely without power or features.
This analog copy machine has virtually zero warm up time, thanks to Canon’s rapid fusing system. However, time to first copy is a sluggish 22 seconds, and after that the unit can only output at a slow rate of 4 copies per minute. With speeds running this slow, the Canon PC-160 should definitely only be considered for businesses or individual users with very light copy demands. The real draw of the unit itself is the price tag. At such an affordable price, the PC-160 is designed with the person in mind who requires occasional copying capabilities, but has no use for the high powered multifunctional units on the market today.
Without digital copy technology, there is no on board memory storage in this analog only unit, which results in certain limitations. Multiple copies must be made one page at a time, though in quantities from 1 to 100. Also, features such as 2 on 1 via reduction are impossible, as the Canon PC-160 has no way to store two pages at once in its memory.
User friendly features implemented include an automatic shut off mode designed to conserve power consumption by automatically turning the main power off after about four and a half minutes of non use, though the Canon PC-160’s energy usage is very low to begin with, with a 650 W maximum power consumption, which easily qualifies this unit as Energy Star compliant. Exposure control is also adjustable manually, or can be set to automatic.
Due to the size of the unit, the paper tray can hold a very limited 50 total sheets of paper when using 20 lb. weight. The limited hardware also operates exclusively with paper thicknesses ranging from 17 to 32 lb weights, making the use of transparencies and card stock impossible. There is also no USB port, or any other type of connectability and, with no expandability options whatsoever, the unit is strictly a stand alone copier.
The uses for the Canon PC-160 become more and more limited as multifunctional all in one units become more popular. Still, for the user who requires a light, portable copy machine, this hardware is a unique and rare find.
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