94 MACWORLD APRIL 2020
WORKINGMAC REVIEW: EPSON EXPRESSION PHOTO XP-8600a snap to get
connected,
especially for
inputting your wireless
router’s password.
Wireless connectivity
enables a host of other cool options,
including Siri voice-activated tasks like
checking ink levels and printing the last
photo shot on your iPhone, or
custom designs from the free
Creative Print mobile app. The
only snafu was when updating
the firmware; our review unit
complained about connecting to
the internet despite repeatedly
informing us there was an online
update available. (We plugged
the unit into an iMac 5K instead,
where the update downloaded
and installed without a hitch.)
In addition to ample printing
skills, the Epson XP-8600
features a 1,200-dpi flatbed
scanner for making quick copies
of documents and photos, or capturing
digital versions of older prints. Scan quality
was quite good, but the bed is
only big enough for letter-sized
paper and there’s no automatic
document feeder. Epson’s
WorkForce line is a better fit
when page volume is more
important than quality.BOTTOM LINE
The Expression Photo XP-8600
isn’t the most affordable all-in-
one inkjet, but the print quality,
spacious touchscreen control
panel, and wireless features are
definitely worth the few extra
bucks. ■Still burning optical discs?
Epson’s XP-8600 prints
directly on CDs and DVDs
using a special front-
loading slot.
mmmm
Epson Expression
Photo XP-8600
PROS- Full-featured wireless
printing, scanning, copying. - Large 4.3-inch color
touchscreen control panel. - Compact form factor.
CONS - Higher price than
competing models. - Over-the-air firmware
update issues. - Best suited to low-volume
printing, scanning.
PRICE
$249
COMPANY
Epson