OVERVIEW
The very eye catching Brother MFC-9010CN Digital Color Multi-Function Center does not include a fax modem, making it a true three in one printer/ copier/ scanner that can produce vibrant, full color output. With built in Ethernet connectability and an affordable price tag, this MFC is a perfect option for those looking to add a splash of color to their current office hardware.

PROS
Using LED print technology, the Brother MFC-9010CN Digital Color Multi-Function Center is capable of printing at resolutions of up to 600 x 2400 dots per inch with virtually zero warm up time. The unit includes print, copy, and scan hardware, as well as a few extras such as a built in network card and automatic document feeder.

With a built in ADF, users can load multiple pages of scan or copy input into this compact device which will then be processed automatically by the machine. This makes large copy and scan projects easy and is absolutely essential for the business that requires them often. When printing, an entire office network can connect very quickly to the Brother MFC-9010CN Digital Color Multi-Function Center via wired Ethernet, making the unit very affective at inexpensively giving a group of people access to color printing. A standard USB port is also included.

Standard included memory totals a conservative 64 MBs, though this can be upgraded considerably to a maximum total of 576 MBs. The unit’s maximum monthly duty cycle is more than acceptable, topping out at 25,000 pages. Recommended monthly duty, however, is much, much lower at the range of 300 to 1,500 pages per month.

All the basic copy and scan functions one would expect from a Brother MFC can be found on this thorough piece of hardware. These include reduction and enlargement at ratios of 25% to 400%, a “scan to” feature, and 48 bit interpolated scanning at qualities of up to 19200 x 19200 dots per inch.

CONS
Though the Brother MFC-9010CN Digital Color Multi-Function Center is impressive on many levels, it is not without its little annoyances. One of them is its very large footprint. While color laser printers are always on the bulkier side, this MFC’s dimensions of 16.9″ x 19.3″ x 15.7″ (W x D x H) make it noticeably larger than color laser printers currently on the market.

Customers have complained about the printer’s inability to handle envelope processing well, and that Brother’s customer service is not as helpful as it should be, among other things. The Brother MFC-9010CN Digital Color Multi-Function Center automatically shuts off if toner levels are too low; a function that can, for obvious reasons, become incredibly annoying if repeated too many times.

With a print speed of only 17 pages per minute, the Brother MFC-9010CN Digital Color Multi-Function Center is slow even for a color laser printer. Copy speeds, as expected, are also limited to this poor output rate and scanning is also a bit sluggish. For the money, users looking for faster speeds can easily find it elsewhere within the same price range.

CONSUMABLES
Color laser printers use their own unique consumable setup, each brand varying slightly from the other. The Brother MFC-9010CN, like most Brother color laser devices, utilizes four individual toner cartridges but only one drum unit. While other brands sometimes have four drum units, or no separate drum at all, the Brother setup is possibly the most cost effective. The black toner cartridges for the device carry up to 2,200 pages worth of yield, while each individual color cartridge (cyan, magenta, and yellow) carries only 1,400 pages at 5% coverage.

The Sharp AR-M237 copy system is, however dated, very proficient in many hardware areas such as paper storage. The unit is no longer top of the line when it comes to copy speed, but performs well in most areas and, with large format support, is an overall well rounded copy machine.

PROS
Copies can be made at a rate of 23 pages per minute when copying to letter sized paper. While this speed is pretty far below average for a device such as this, we’ll give it a break due to the age of this poor old thing. Large sized 11 x 17 inch paper is also compatible with the unit which is a big plus, unfortunately Ledger sized paper operates at a speed of about 12 pages per minute. Legal size runs at 13 pages per minute.

Print and copy quality can also be boosted up to 1,200 x 1,200 dots per inch, but copy speeds suffer. Large format drops to 7.5 copies per minute, while legal does equally as bad with 8 cpm. Regular Letter sized paper and anything smaller will print/copy at a rate of 13.5 cpm.

If speed is truly an issue, buyers can look to the Sharp AR-M237′s sister unit, the Sharp AR-M277, which gets a boost up to 27 pages per minute for letter sized paper. All other specs for these two machines are the same.

First copy out time is actually quite fast, considering other speeds, and rests at a comfortable 4.8 seconds. Warm up time for the unit is only 23 seconds which means that even from a complete power off position users won’t have to wait long for their first reproduction.

Interestingly, the Sharp AR-M237 has quite an impressive expandability option with its reversing single pass feeder hardware accessory. Up to 100 sheets can be loaded into this piece of attachable equipment and they can then be scanned or copied on both sides, automatically.

Continuous copies can be made up to a quantity of 999 by using the automatic document feeder or document glass. Another more than acceptable statistic the Sharp AR-M237 boasts is a large paper storage capacity. This little unit can store up to 500 sheets in both of its paper trays, plus an additional 100 sheets in the bypass tray. With a total of 1,100 sheets of storage and three drawers, paper refill cycles will remain long and switching back and forth between paper types can be done without loading and unloading.

CONS
Atop the slow print speed that the Sharp AR-M237 delivers, it is also deficient in a few other very key areas. Some of the device’s internal parts are made of plastic instead of metal, making them more susceptible to breakage.

Sharp has pulled a fast one with their scan resolution here. Though the unit does output and copy at 600 and 1200 dots per inch, the actual scan element is only good for an optical scan of 400 dots per inch. When making high resolution copies, the source material is not truly being transferred at the resolution stated.

 

OVERVIEW

For those working with space limitations who absolutely demand laser print technology, Samsung has the solution for you. You will not find a smaller monochrome laser printer than the Samsung ML-1665, as it is currently the smallest on the planet. With a fold up paper tray and dimensions so petite that you could play a game of football with the unit, the ML-1665 is truly the industry leader in space saving design.

PROS

The obvious selling point of the Samsung ML-1665 Laser Printer is its incredibly compact size which is so small in fact that there is no other monochrome laser printer in the world that can beat it in this category. On top of its petite stature, however, it also brings with it an incredibly small price tag. Priced at well under a hundred dollars, the 1665 competes with most inkjet devices in its category for overhead cost.

The cost per page of the unit is also very comparable to that of an inkjet, as the cost of consumables for the Samsung ML-1665 Laser Printer is very reasonable. That being said, why would anyone want to go with a micro laser printer instead of the much more common inkjet style? The answers are simple, one of them being just plain noise factor. When dealing with laser print technology, users will no longer have to suffer through the loud, clunky hum of an inkjet device and, instead, will be treated to the quiet whirr of this fast, laser device.

With a noise level of less than 49 dBA, the Samsung ML-1665 Laser Printer is quieter than most refrigerators. This makes the unit exceptionally personal-user and desktop friendly. Another attractive feature for the home user is the unit’s sleek styling and glossy, dust resistant top. The device is also equipped with a fold out paper tray which is good for not only saving desktop space when the device is not in use, but also for keeping the aesthetic appeal of the device clean. Software included with the device allows for drag and drop photo printing from the web as well.

CONS

The only area where inkjet technology beats out this miniature laser device is raw print speed. Interestingly, the performance category is usually bested by laser technology, but this is not the case with the Samsung ML-1665 Laser Printer. Its print speed of 17 pages per minute is, while not completely awful, is not up to par with that of inkjet printers in the sub $100 category and, keep in mind, most inkjets these days can also print in color.

PRINTER SUPPLIES

When dealing with such a small device, one would expect extremely small consumable page yields as well, but the Samsung ML-1665 Laser Printer might surprise you. While very limited standard page yield black cartridges are available with 700 pages worth of toner, high yield cartridges are out there as well for this unit. Each high yield cartridges offers up to 1500 pages at 5% coverage, as well as a very minimal increase in price over the standard unit, making it the obvious cost effective choice.

With an intuitive, user friendly 7 inch touch screen and a variety of personalized, color print options, the Lexmark X548dte is an excellent solution when high volume color printing becomes a necessity for your office or home business. The unit performs well in all of its multiple functions including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.

PROS:

The large 7 inch color touch screen used to operate the Lexmark X548dte not only allows for clear and simple navigation of the device’s many features, it also makes it easy to use shortcuts to save time, and personalized settings for multiple users. One of its most impressive functions is its ability to show scan previews directly on screen, allowing users to make adjustments as needed without returning to their PC.

As far as basic functionality goes, the Lexmark X548dte covers all its bases in the areas of scanning, copying, and faxing. The automatic document feeder included is capable of duplex scanning and copying, making it a perfect solution for those who often need to input large quantities of double sided material.

CONS:

The overall print speed of the Lexmark X548dte is relatively slow, even for a color laser printer. Though it is obvious that Lexmark intended the unit to be a more affordable alternative to their professional level color laser all in ones, they are competing against other brands on the market that can top this speed to price ratio.

Additionally, the Lexmark X548dte’s consumables are extremely expensive when compared to page yield. While color laser technology has always been expensive to operate, it seems as if Lexmark has taken a step backward in making the cost more affordable as their toner cartridges for the device are not only very expensive, but come with staggeringly small page yields. Their announced price for the unit is also almost inexcusable, bringing the overhead of this unit up even higher. While the bells and whistles and the attractiveness of the touch screen are tempting, there are dollar for dollar much better values on the market.

Some outstanding flaws in the Lexmark X548dte’s basic performance specs are so poor it makes one almost scratch their head. 300 x 300 dot per inch color scan resolution? Scanners from the early nineties could easily top this quality. Black scan quality is not much better at 600 x 600 dots per inch. It would appear that Lexmark has put too much emphasis on their attractive touch screen and not enough on hardware.

PRINTER SUPPLIES:

When dealing with color laser printing, the consumables required include three individual color toner cartridges as well as a black toner cartridge. In the Lexmark X548dte’s case, high yield toner cartridges offer 2500 pages of yield for the black unit and 2000 pages each for the colors cyan, magenta, and yellow. Extra high yield cartridges with 8000 and 4000 page yields are also available, as are Lexmark’s return program cartridges with only 1000 pages each.

Lexmark also offers a variety of other consumables for the Lexmark X548dte which include a photoconductor unit, developer units, and black or color imaging kits.

Overview

Brother fancies their Brother MFC-420CN multifunctional unit to be a “6 in 1” machine. While this may be a bit of an exaggeration, considering they chalk up the unit’s media slots as a function to itself, the unit is still more than equipped for dealing with a huge range of everyday office tasks including printing, faxing, copying, and scanning.

Pros

With a small footprint and very slim height profile, the Brother MFC-420CN is not overbearing on a home desktop, and with its extensive feature set it is also suitable for use in a small office. This networking model can easily be calibrated for sharing across an office, and the unit’s PC faxing abilities allow multiple users to send hard copy faxes directly from their desktops.

Print speeds of up to 20 pages per minute in black and white and 15 pages per minute in color place the Brother MFC-420CN in the lower end of the speed spectrum, even when dealing with home all in one units, but the device still performs well enough for its price range. Its maximum monthly duty cycle of only 2,500 printed pages is also quite limited when compared to laser printers, but is par for the course for this device’s category.

16 MBs of standard memory helps to assist the printer when dealing with complex print projects, and also allows for features such as 80 auto dial locations to be saved within the unit itself. Quick scan memory transmission is also made possible by built in memory and can be uploaded at a speed of approximately 4.72 seconds per page.

Cons

Like all of the lower end units in Brother’s MFC inkjet series, the Brother MFC-420CN comes with a disappointingly slow fax modem. At speeds of only 14.4 Kbps, faxes will be sent at a maximum rate of 6 seconds per page; three times as slow as higher end fax ready units.

Another limitation the Brother MFC-420CN suffers from is its document feeder capacity. While it is always a more than welcome luxury to have a built in ADF in one’s MFC, the printer’s 10 page maximum capacity means that larger projects will cause significant user interaction and downtime. The ADF is also not up to par with the device’s print speed, meaning that, when making copies, speeds slow down to 16 pages per minute for black and white and only 11 pages per minute for color.

Printer Supplies

The black ink cartridge used in the Brother MFC-420CN is available in either standard form or in a high yield version of the cartridge. The regular OEM replacement is capable of printing up to 500 pages worth of yield at 5% coverage while the slightly more expensive cartridge can print up to 900 pages. When comparing cost per page, the high yield cartridge is the smart buy, as it usually is.

Three other print cartridges are required for the Brother MFC-420CN to operate in full color. Cyan, magenta, and yellow units are surprisingly inexpensive and offer buyers up to 400 pages each.

The Lexmark E240 pairs a small footprint with a big print speed. This simple looking all black laser printer succeeds at being an affordable option for the small office that is looking for something compact, yet fast, not to mention reliable. Lexmark’s E series combines all these qualities into devices that come with reasonable price tags.

With dimensions of only 9.8 in. x 15.6 in. x 13.9 in. (W x D x H), the Lexmark E240 shares a casing design with some of its peers, such as the Lexmark E238, but has a unique hardware set. This particular printer is capable of printing at speeds of up to 27 pages per minute for letter sized paper with a very small margin of slowdown for A4 paper. First page out times are universally no faster than 8 seconds.

The unit’s image resolutions can be selected to 1200 image quality and 2400 image quality with a maximum true resolution of 600 x 600 dots per inch. Its 366 MHz processor accounts for its competitive print speed, while optional interfaces make various connectivity types possible. Standard USB and Parallel ports are dedicated on the device, but Ethernet, Token Ring, serial, and even wireless connection options are available separately. PCL 6 emulation is the Lexmark E240’s main source, while Postscript 3 is compatible with Macintosh only.

The standard memory for this unit is only 16 MBs, which is acceptable for printing small, text only documents, but 32 MB, 64 MB, and 128 MB expansion cards are available for the units in the E series. Unfortunately, the Lexmark E240 itself is only expandable up to 80 MBs total. A 250 sheet paper drawer makes up the primary source of storage for the printer, and a single sheet bypass slot is also incorporated into the hardware. An additional 550 sheet paper drawer can be purchased to expand the unit’s maximum paper capacity to 900 (901) sheets, while output capacity rests at 150 sheets.

For maximum versatility, users can take advantage of the single sheet bypass slot to use various media types such as card stock, envelopes, transparencies, and paper labels. Custom media sizes are compatible in a size range of 3” x 5” up to 8.5” x 14”. Supported media weights are 16 – 24lbs.

A maximum monthly duty cycle of up to 10,000 sheets ensures the long life of the product, though recommended monthly duty is always much lower. Operating noise levels are perfect for the close space that the Lexmark E240 was designed to work in, with operating noise at 51 dBA and standby at 26 dBA. The unit’s weight is also quite manageable at only 22 pounds (26.6 pounds shipped).

Lexmark included a 1 year advanced exchange warranty with the unit and also includes a starter return program black toner cartridge in the box that holds a 1,500 page yield at 5% coverage. Standard toner cartridges will yield much more pages, further increasing the value of this convenient and affordable small office laser printer.

While the Lexmark E238 is a very compact machine, it is also entirely sturdy and could even be considered powerful by the current standards of desktop laser printers. With an eye catching print speed and fairly high monthly duty cycle, this modern looking, black personal printer would be suitable for almost anyone’s desktop, regardless of printing demands.

With a print speed of up to 25 pages per minute for letter sized paper and up to 24 pages per minute for the very similar A4 size, the Lexmark E238 is very speedy for such a small device. Though the unit can only print in black and white, as it is a strictly monochrome printer, it is a great option for users who print primarily in text. The device’s 366 MHz internal processor helps to keep all operations moving quickly and smoothly, while 16 MBs of internal memory assist the unit in reducing slowdown during more complex print projects.

User friendly features such as an integrated, front loading paper drawer makes loading and reloading paper easy, while a simplified toner change process also helps to keep user downtime at a minimum. The unit’s maximum monthly duty cycle of 10,000 pages also ensures that the unit is not only capable of a fairly decent print volume, but that it is built to last as well. The photoconductor kit is even rated at up to 30,000 pages, which could potentially be the lifetime of the product.

2400 image quality and adjustable print resolution make selecting between maximum speed or the best physical look simple and easy with the help of comprehensive operation software. A first page out time of only 8 seconds is perfect for those who often print single pages at a time and have no desire to painstakingly wait for a long start up process all the time.

The device comes with both a Parallel and USB port but is not readily networkable, though it is compatible with both PC and Mac. Paper expansion options are available, as well as optional memory boosts up to a total of 80 MBs. Also optional is an external serial adapter and 6,000 page toner cartridges. Emulation is made possible exclusively by PCL 6 while paper storage comes in the form of a 250 sheet standard tray and a single sheet bypass slot. There is also a more than ample 150 sheet output bin and even a single sheet exit slot for a straight through paper path.

With dimensions of only 9.8 in. x 15.6 in. x 13.9 in. (W x D x H) the Lexmark E238 is very manageable in size and its weight of only 22 pounds makes it entirely mobile. The unit is compact, but it is also designed to be very quiet so it will not disturb those working in close quarters with it. It even comes with a small degree of dedicated controls and LED indicator lights, making it, like many of its rivals, a good choice for a confined workspace.

Though the office applications of a small device such as the Lexmark E120 / E120n are limited, its small footprint and affordable price tag make it ideal for the home office or desktop user. Limited speed and performance power make this unit one of the lower level laser printers available, but could still prove to be a good investment for long term, light volume black and white printing.

The Lexmark E120 / E120n is capable of 1200 image quality and offers adjustable print resolution up to 600 x 600 dots per inch. Lower settings will offer faster print speeds and a toner save mode can help reduce the cost of toner usage. Two different versions of the model, a network ready unit and a base unit, also come with different standard memory included.

While the Lexmark E120 comes with 8 MBs of RAM, the Lexmark E120n comes complete with 16 MBs to help counteract the potential higher demands placed by a shared network. Unfortunately, neither unit has a memory expansion slot, but this is to be expected with smaller laser printers.

The unit comes with a fairly fast first page out time of 8 seconds, while its maximum print speeds are 20 pages per minute for letter sized paper and 19 pages per minute for A4, meaning that even larger projects or network projects won’t suffer from significant downtime. Managing the printer is also easy; thanks to included software and an intuitive operator panel that makes the device very user friendly and fast to control. Paper loading and unloading is also made very easy via a simplified paper handling setup that includes only one paper tray. Though this means much less overall paper storage than higher end units (only 150 total pages at a time) light duty users will not have a problem with the slim design.

With the Lexmark E120 / E120n’s photoconducter lasting up to five years and 2,000 page toner cartridges available, the printer is sure to provide a lot of mileage from the investment. Its maximum monthly duty cycle of 10,000 pages also means that, though a desktop laser printer, the unit can, conceivably, deal with a decent amount of volume. A smaller size also helps to result in a shorter paper path, which improves reliability.

The Lexmark E120 / E120n comes complete with a 183 MHz internal processor which should help keep things moving along smoothly and without incident, while a 15 sheet priority feed slot is perfect for bypassing the standard paper supply without having to unload all the paper. The unit’s output capacity is a fairly conservative 50 sheets, while a variety of special media types, such as transparencies, envelopes, and paper labels are compatible with the device.

Desktop laser printers such as the Lexmark E120 / E120n and its counterparts are sturdy, solid little machines that are great for offices that suffer from space and price limitations, yet still require, for some reason, black and white laser print technology that meets their demand.