Showing posts with label laser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laser. Show all posts

5/08/2012

Brother DCP-7020 Laser Digital Copier/Printer Review

Brother DCP-7020 Laser Digital Copier/Printer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I almost never write a review, but the forest of multi-functions is so thick and I am so impressed by my Brother DCP-7020 that I figure I ought to share my personal view of this tremendous small office/home-office machine.
I spent weeks researching and testing multi-functions, going back and forth among Brother, HP, Sharp, Xerox, Canon, and others. What a nightmare, sorting out and comparing all the rival features!
My own needs were straight-forward: truly excellent, professional-looking B&W laser printing and copying capability; reliable paper-path routing with few or no jams; able to handle periodic high volume and otherwise steady daily use; large paper tray capacity; reliable Auto Document Feeder; handy and roomy output tray; acceptable color as well as B&W scanning; and reasonably priced laser supplies that have a reasonably high volume capacity.
While I had no need for fax or networking, I might have taken either or both if the quality of the more important features I sought warranted the extra price. I also was hoping for a stand-alone copying capability, just to give me more flexibility in office machinery since I also have a Brother HL-5150DLT (which is a tremendous stand-alone printer, by the way!)
Several times I almost decided on the Sharp AL-1641CS or its equivalent at Canon and Xerox. My initial misgivings about the latest Brother multifunction machines came down to three things: I was concerned about a few reports of modest paper curling; I was nervous about the paper output slot which seemed at first glance kind of puny and inconveniently located at the inside front, rather than outside to the side, of the machine; and the Brother multi-function machines somehow didn't look to me quite as robust or strong as some of their competitors, at least as they sat on the store shelf.
Repeated testing in multiple stores convinced me that the Brother DCP-7020 was the most likely to meet my needs at an initial price (and also a lower laser cartridge supplies price) so substantially less than the Sharp or equivalents that I decided to 'chance' it, as I thought. It turned out far, far better than I had hoped.
This is a GREAT workhorse machine that takes up substantially less work space and yet turns out excellent laser printing and/or copying with sharp, professional-looking text. Reliable, smooth paper handling with no paper jams to speak of (other than one deliberately caused for testing, which was very easily cleared). Superior copying capability (stand-alone or attached to a computer.) And, though not my top priority, very good scanning as well, supported by excellent, intuitive software.
The earlier review and product descriptions you can read at Amazon.com are accurate. This machine is awesome; the best buy for the money you will find, unless you need faxing capability or color printing in your multi-function. As for my original misgivings, here's my experience:
(1) Paper curling. Not a problem! The paper curling reports are true but greatly exaggerated. Very, very minor curling occurs (probably due to the extreme heat needed for any laser printing), but the paper flattens quickly as it cools and in a minute or so you won't even know it had a slight curl as it emerged from the machine.
(2) Output tray. Not a problem! True, the output slot at the front of the machine looks a little inconvenient or insubstantial, but that turns out to be a mirage, probably because we are so accustomed to expecting to see a bulky exterior separate output tray. The Brother DCP-7020 output tray actually is an innovation. It works perfectly and can hold up to 100 pages, no problem. Lift the lid below the copier and you will see you have access to the entire output tray in all its glory.
(3) The wrong-est I was in my initial misgivings was in thinking that visually the Brother DCP-7020 looked somehow more fragile, or less robust, than the Sharp or similar competitors. It may look that way, but in reality it is every bit as much a workhorse machine as its equivalent competitors. The DCP-7020 is a strong, muscular, and reliable machine. Just a much smaller footprint and at half the price.
Although not my own top priority, I've also been very pleasantly surprised at how good the scanning function is. A couple of reviewers here and there on the web grumble about this, but I found the Brother DCP-7020 scanning function and quality does at least well with color photos as any other $200-$400 scanner I've used, and far better than most of them. The text recognition software is far superior to what most well known competing brands use. And the scanner control panel is very intuitive with good defaults and ample opportunity to easily customize. I've wound up putting my 1 year old $400 HP scanner in the attic.)
I unhesitatingly recommend the Brother DCP-7020. It is everything I wanted in a B&W laser printer/copier/scanner -- and more! -- at half the price of the competition.
Afterword about Brother support: For those concerned about tech support, there is good, and bad, and more good news -- but REALLY good news if you pay attention to what I have to say here.
1. Good news: Brother's toll-free number you can call in an emergency usually leads you to a live English-speaking person who isn't in India or Sri-Lanka or some other Exploited-Labor-of-the-Month hell hole.
2. Bad news: Like the infamous Indian "tech support" people we all know and loath, you probably will get an American who is mostly clueless other than they've been trained to read the manuals. If you haven't read the manual yourself, they can be a kind of "aural" manual and walk you through a few quick fixes. If you know the manual and those fixes haven't worked, go to the next point below.
3. More good news: If you have time to e-mail or call Brother support and ask specifically for a truly knowledgeable tech person to contact you, in a day or at most two you will wind up being called by a REAL expert who will take the time to answer all of your questions patiently and in depth. These people know what they're doing. They're honest and knowledgeable. They are the way tech support used to be, once upon a time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother DCP-7020 Laser Digital Copier/Printer

Brother DCP-7020 Monochrome Laser Printer, Copier, and Color Scanner

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5/07/2012

Lexmark E120N Monochrome Laser Printer Review

Lexmark E120N Monochrome Laser Printer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a good printer for the price. Print quality for normal print jobs is good, it has a small footprint, easy to use interface via a web browser, a dust cover over the paper tray, and the network connection is a lot better than having to connect directly to the PC (although you can do that if you wish). If you have more than one computer on a network at home, I would recommend this printer. The only thing I don't like about it is that you cannot specify custom paper sizes. This means you have to do some trial and error and arithmatic in your application to get it to print the way you want on non-standard paper. For $125, I can live with that.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lexmark E120N Monochrome Laser Printer

An exceptionally low-priced network laser printer, the Lexmark E120n offers an outstanding value for small and home office workgroups that want to benefit from professional laser print quality.

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5/05/2012

Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex Review

Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex
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I bought the Brother HL-5250DN printer from Amazon for five reasons:
1) fast monochrome (black and white) printer.
2) network capability.
3) automatic duplexing (printing on both sides of the paper).
4) Enclosed paper tray.
5) Price (and the one-year manufacturer's warranty is nice, even on the refurbished product).
I also like the low toner, paper, and drum replacement indicator lights on the printer. The cost of the toner cartridges is about the same with other printers I've seen.
What comes in the box:
Printer, drum and toner assembly, AC power cord, paper Quick Setup Guide, CD-ROM. The CD-ROM has the drivers, entire Owner's Manual, and animated installation guide.
Note: No cables are provided.
If you are going to connect the printer to a wireless router, you will need an Ethernet cable.
If you are going to connect the printer directly to one computer, you will need either a USB or parallel cable. The printer has connections for both.
Setup
The setup did not go as easily as I hoped.
I had two problems with installation and setup:
1) I was not sure which network to use (peer to peer or shared).
2) After installation, I could not print from one of the two computers on the network.
After easily removing some shipping adhesive tape, inserting the drum/toner assembly (looks like a full toner cartridge, not a starter cartridge) and paper tray, I was ready to proceed with installing the software drivers.
The Quick Setup Guide presents you with choices for Windows 98/Me/2000/XP: USB interface, parallel interface, and network interface. There are also choices if using Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Macintosh. The manufacturer's website indicates Microsoft Vista has "built-in" drivers but Brother drivers are also available on the website.
Upon clicking "Install Printer Driver" from CD-ROM menu, I was presented with three choices: USB cable users, Parallel cable users, and Network cable users. I chose the network cable users since I wanted to add the printer to my wireless network router. I was presented with a license agreement that I accepted. I then had to choose between "Brother Peer-to-Peer Network Printer" or "Network Shared Printer". I chose peer-to-peer to print directly to the printer over the network rather than to a central server on a shared printer. On Step 8 I had to choose "LPR" or "NetBios". I had no idea which one to choose and I didn't find any useful information to help with the decision. I chose LPR and clicked Next. The printer was recognized. Make sure to write down the IP Node Address (for a wireless router it is something like 192.xxx.xx.x).
Now, I needed to access the printer from my wireless computer running Microsoft Vista. I went to the Control Panel and double clicked on Printers. I then chose "Add a Printer" and selected "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer". The computer searched for and found the printer. A couple more clicks and I was successfully printing from the wireless computer.
Printing from the desktop computer running Windows XP, connected to the router with an Ethernet cable, would not be as simple. The computer recognized the printer but would not send any data to the printer. I went to Control Panel, Printer and Faxes, right clicked on Properties. The General tab did not have the Location of the printer. I added 192.xxx.xx.x and clicked OK and tried printing a document but I was not successful. After two hours of dealing with it and looking at the company's website, I called the company (toll-free phone number right on the box). The company was closed; I called the next morning just after the company opened at 9 a.m. Eastern. I went through a very brief voice prompt menu and I was connected to Robby in all of about two minutes. He was polite but he was not able to solve my problem. He told me second level support would call me within 24 hours. Just over two hours later I got a call from Debbie, who was in Memphis, Tennessee. She was very helpful and quickly identified the problem. When hovering over the printer icon in the Printer and Faxes folder, the little popup message indicated the printer was offline. I don't know how I missed that. To correct the problem all I had to do was right click the printer and select "Use Printer Online". After a few seconds the printer was in Ready status. Problem resolved.
Summary
This is my first Brother printer and I am very favorably impressed. I don't think there is another printer on the market with these features at such a low price, at least at the time of this writing.
The product is shipped in the manufacturer's box, not an Amazon box, so all your neighbors will know what's in the box on your doorstep. The box looks like the box for a new printer, listing many features of the printer but it is clearly marked "Factory Refurbished". The printer itself has a sticker on the back with "Re-manufactured Product". My printer was originally manufactured in September 2005. I bought it in May 2007.
My experience with Brother International has been very positive. I got a great printer with excellent features, a full-size toner cartridge TN-550 (not a starter toner cartridge!), and a one-year warranty. From idle/sleep, the first page took only 20 seconds to print and the text quality is great. The icing on the cake was the technical support provided by Americans. Their promptness and knowledge was impressive. This was easily the best technical support experience I have ever had!Update December 4, 2007:
I am still very pleased with the printer but it is noisy when printing and it does make "tick, tick, tick" noises sometimes. Neither of these issues has effected performance. The only annoyance I've experienced is with envelope printing - the envelope always crinkles. This isn't a big deal for me but it is something to consider if envelope printing is important to you.
Update October 7, 2008:
I purchased another refurbished HL-5250. The toner and drum are also factory refurbished. The drum unit (DR-520) has life expectancy of 22,500 pages, about 90% of new. The toner cartridge (TN-550) has an expected yield of 3,150 pages at 5% coverage. A new toner cartridge has an expected yield of 3,500 pages.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex

The EHL-5250DN is a 30ppm network-ready monochrome laser printer with a built-in duplex feature. Designed for busy offices and small workgroups, it is a smart and versatile choice.

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4/02/2012

Xerox Phaser 6125/N Color Laser Printer Review

Xerox Phaser 6125/N Color Laser Printer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am awarding this printer 5 stars for its ease of installation, quality of output, quality of workmanship, unit price and the average cost of a printed page.
The Xerox Phaser 6125N appears to be a solid, quality unit. Given that you will print about 500 pages before you need to buy your next toner, you get a lot of value for the price. Thereafter, based on the prices currently listed at Amazon, paying $70 for 2000 black and white pages is not bad at all. In fact, on a per-page basis, you are paying significantly less vs. what you would spend on a generic ink-jet printer.
I installed the printer at home, in the basement, plugged into a wireless Linksys router via an Ethernet wire. My printer is now taking jobs from 5 different computers, connected through the same router over Wi-Fi and running Windows XP and Vista.
The unit comes in a nice, neat box where very little space is wasted. The unit is very much assembled and ready to go. There is a `Quick Installation', poster-sized guide (also a 'flash' animation on the CD) that explains in detail how to remove the various sticky tapes that held the printer together during transportation and lock in the toner cartridges. Once that's done, you plug in the power, connect the printer via either USB or Ethernet (USB and Ethernet cables NOT included), turn it on, set up your favorite language if it's not English and you are ready to go. On the computer side, you need to install the Xerox printer driver.
The driver installation(*) was relatively quick and nearly flawless. For it to proceed, the setup program must first find the printer. Since the printer was not physically connected to the laptop, it immediately started to look for IP-based printers. You must make sure that the printer is turned on and it has an IP address(**) while this is happening. The status page, which you can print from the front panel, will tell you if that is the case. My DHCP-enabled Linksys router assigned an address to the printer so no complicated setup was required. On the Vista side, I had to give Vista permission for a couple of tasks to complete. The setup gives you the opportunity to register your printer online. I agreed and it was quick and easy even though I was surprised that the setup knew my printer's serial number but not the model which I have to pick it myself from a long drop-down list.
From the moment I opened the box to the time I printed my first page off a document, it took less than one hour. I can see how some users may require help with the network installation part. I cannot say how Xerox supports end-users with more complex network setups because I did not have to call the tech support.The Phaser 6125N is a large, solid box (see Amazon's picture) and it is so because it holds large (fully loaded) toner cartridges and the fuser unit. Printing is quick and quiet and I experienced no paper jams yet. The colors are bright and both the text and the graphics are crisp - I printed some very complicated flowcharts and a colorful logo to test and I was satisfied with the result. Out of the box, over 200 PCL and PostScript fonts are supported. Other features include 128Mb of memory, support for various paper sizes and paper types including glossies and envelopes, it can be set to go into PowerSaver mode after a period of inactivity (and I reduced it from the 30 minute default to 5 minutes), can be set to produce an audible tone on various conditions, will produce Configuration pages with values for various settings and parameters including the environment's temperature and humidity.
This printer should be ideal for the small office and it could be great for the home if the relatively large size does not bother you. In my case, it doesn't because it's going to stay in the basement. Memory expansion or wireless connections were not issues for me but those who have such concerns should do some research before buying.
________________________________________________________________________
(*) Be aware that a nearly identical model, the Xerox Phaser 6130/N Color Laser Printer offers a few enhancements and extra capabilitis such as:
- Double standard memory (128 MB vs. 64MB) and the ability to upgrade it up to 1152MB
- Larger toner cartridges
- Mac OS support
- Built-in PCL emulation and PostScript 3
(**) Note that you will have to install the driver on ALL the computers that are going to use the printer. Every time you install the driver, you will be prompted to register again. After you complete your first registration, ignore any subsequent invitations.
(***) I can think of 3 basic way you can connect the printer without having to buy any extra hardware, other than a cable, if you don't have one already:
1 - Personal printer - use a USB cable to connect it directly to your desktop computer (or your laptop's docking station)
2 - Shared printer - after connecting the printer as above and you install the printer driver, share it (the specific steps depend on your operating system but it's usually easy). This way, anyone on the same network can use it for as long as the computer that's sharing it is up.
3 - Network printer - you plug it into a network port or directly into a router using an Ethernet cable. Unless you place some restrictions, everyone on the network should be able to use the printer for as long as it is on and the network is up.
(****) The 6125 Toner capacity are: 2000 pages for 'black' and 1000 pages for the Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. If found a 'third party' that offers the set of 4 cartridges for about 55: Xerox Phaser 6125 Set of 4 Compatible Laser Toner Cartridges: 1 each of Black 106R01334 , Cyan 106R01331, Magenta 106R01332, Yellow 106R01333 by LD Products.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Xerox Phaser 6125/N Color Laser Printer

Xerox makes color the easy choice with the refreshingly office-friendly, value-packed Phaser 6125 color laser printer. This's compact printing solution powerful enough to handle all of your office printing demands with ease.

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4/01/2012

HP LaserJet P2015dn Printer (CB368A#ABA) Review

HP LaserJet P2015dn Printer (CB368A#ABA)
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(More customer reviews)
Last week was HP week at Office Depot and I decided to buy the HP LaserJet P2015DN for [...]. Things I particularly like:
--250 sheet input tray under the unit, not stuck out front, reminds me of the old LaserJet II and III workhorses that are still in use by some
--fast start up
--fast print, even duplex
--lots of paper choices, including recycled which I usually use
--small footprint
--easy set up
--excellent print
--plenty of memory for a single user, easy memory upgrade if more needed
--front tray for envelopes, etc.
Things to know:
--cartridge included is the smaller one, rated at 3000 pages (larger is rated at 7000)
--"D" means duplex
--"N" means network card included (not in use by me)
--4 models available
P2015
P2015D
P2015DN (mine)
P2015X comes with a 2nd 250 input tray and 7000 page cartridge
--recommended page volume is 740 to 3,000 pages per month, though the advertised duty cycle is up to 15,000 per month.
This printer was designed for workgroups, though it will serve me well as my primary printer at home. It sits next to my humble HP 1510, ink jet printer, copier, scanner, which I will use if color is needed. I was tired of replacing black inkjet cartridges every 200 pages or so at $15 a pop and having only 50 pages in the input tray. A replacement 3000 page toner cartridge costs about $80.
I started printing the first 100 pages of a document I wanted on paper in the duplex mode. Although duplex is "automatic", one has to tell it to print duplex. It resets to one-sided at the end of the job. By the time I found my 3-hole punch and binder, the job was done, so I printed the other 107 pages which were ready as soon as I was. The duplex process is a bit noisy, but not obnoxious.
If you want the detailed specs, there is a 4-page document at the HP site that covers all 4 printers.
Thanks to the user comments here at Amazon, I decided against a color laser printer in part due to the problems with other than 20 lb. paper. I don't really need color for most of my printing, and am pleased with this choice.


Click Here to see more reviews about: HP LaserJet P2015dn Printer (CB368A#ABA)

If you need automatic two-sided printing and the ability to network your printer, HP's LaserJet P2015dn has you covered. The small but powerful P2015dn is capable of print speeds of up to 27 pages per minute (ppm), and features instant-on technology, a technology that delivers the first page in less than 8.5 seconds from sleep mode. Ideal for large and small offices, the printer's integrated networking technology makes it easy to share the printer among work teams without compromising printer performance or document security. The printer also supports high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, which provides data transmission speeds of up to 480 mbps for fast printing and easy expansion. The printer comes with a 400 MHz processor and 32 MB standard memory, which is expandable to 288 MB. The printer delivers true 1,200 dpi output for professional-quality documents, including high-visibility reports with complex charts and graphics.Sleek and attractive, this compact printer is designed for minimal tray protrusion and fits easily on crowded desktops. The toner transfer and fusing processes of the printer are designed around HP toner to optimize print quality and deliver high-speed performance. Uniform toner particles enable precise placement and control for crisp and consistent print quality. Capable of handling duplex print jobs, the printer comes with a 250-sheet input tray, a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray, and supports the following paper sizes: letter, legal, executive, index cards, and envelopes (No. 10). The printer supports Windows 98 SE and later and Mac OS X v 10.2.8 and later operating systems. Measuring 14.3 x 13.8 x 10.1 inches, and weighing only 24.3 pounds, the printer is backed by a 1-year manufacturer's limited warranty.
What's in the Box HP LaserJet P2015dn printer, print cartridge, getting started guide, CD (includes software and user's guide), and power cord.

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3/29/2012

Brother HL-2070N Network Monochrome Laser Printer (Black) Review

Brother HL-2070N Network Monochrome Laser Printer (Black)
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This printer doesn't have the 'built-like-a-tank" feel or weight of my old Laserwriter IIg, but it's far quicker and less troublesome. If you want to do black-and-white printing on a budget, I highly recommend it. I use it to print book drafts and even the 8-point type in footnotes is sharp and clear. The driver installed quickly and worked without a hitch on my Mac mini and MacBook.
Installed to run over an Ethernet network, this printer has a rudimentary web page server that allows you to use your web browser to configure some of its features remotely, including the print resolution and a toner save mode. You can also see how many pages you've used on the toner and drum, so you have an idea when each needs replacing. The web page configuration information is buried in the Network User's Guide, so I'll post it here. (Voting this review helpful will keep in near the top and help others to see this posting.)
The web address is: http://brn-8c4310.local/printer/main.html
That'll give you the printer's home page. To change the configuration, you'll need this information:
The default account is: admin
And the default password is: access
Michael W. Perry, author of Untangling Tolkien: A Chronology and Commentary for The Lord of the Rings

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother HL-2070N Network Monochrome Laser Printer (Black)

Prints up to 20ppm. HQ1200 resolution (up to 2400x600dpi). Includes Built-in Ethernet Network Interface. PCL6 for DOS printing. 250-sheet input capacity. 16MB memory standard. USB 2.0 and Parallel Interfaces. Toner Save Mode Feature. Optional External Wireless network interface. One year express exchange limited warranty.

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2/25/2012

Brother DCP-7030 Laser Multi-Function Copier Review

Brother DCP-7030 Laser Multi-Function Copier
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I had the Brother 2140 Lazer printer before I purchased this one and that was a fantastic printer that served me well. With the good luck I had with the 2140 Brother I figured I would give this one a try. I was done with all of my heavy duty scanning and no longer needed a dedicated scanner for intense photo scanning, so I looked for an all in one by Brother and found this one. From setup, to printing and finally scanning...the product performs on all levels and I could not be any happier.
The only negative I have in regard to this product is the size. It is one heck of a monster AIO but that will not keep me from still giving it the 5 star rating. I have a dedicated table for my AIO and router so it is no issue for me but if you are cramped for space you had better look at the dimensions carefully.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother DCP-7030 Laser Multi-Function Copier

The DCP-7030 is a compact and affordable, personal monochrome digital copier and laser printer ideal for home offices. Combining fast, crisp laser copying and printing with output speeds of up to 23 pages per minute, it also features high-quality color scanning in a compact, integrated device that minimizes its impact in any space constrained office. Additional features include a 250-sheet adjustable letter/legal size paper tray and a single-sheet by-pass tray, ideal for letterhead, envelopes and thicker media. For connectivity, the DCP-7030 includes a USB interface. Additional Features:2-line/16 character LCD16MB memory standard Scan to E-mail/File/Image/OCROne Year Limited WarrantyUSB interface standard2Works with WindowsVista, XP, 2000, x64,Server 2003, Mac OS X 10.2.4 or greaterPersonal

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12/24/2011

HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Printer (CE841A#BGJ) Review

HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf  Printer (CE841A#BGJ)
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My mom just bought this today and I helped her set it up. I'm already thinking about buying one, even though I already have a laser MFC at home. It's that good. The setup is easy, the quality is good, and the price is right.
1. Setup on PC, Mac, and network
It was super easy. HP includes the usual install CD, but you don't need it on PC; they put the files on the machine, and they show up when you connect the USB cable (the same way a USB flash drive would, though this doesn't work on Mac). Just follow the instructions; everything is straightforward.
If you want to use it over the network (i.e., connect it to your router), you still need to connect it via USB first. Before too long, the installation program tells you to disconnect the USB cable, and you don't need to connect it via USB any further. (So if you have a USB cable that you can use temporarily, you don't need to buy another just for the printer to use it over the network.)
If you haven't yet connected the networking cable from the printer to the router, it'll tell you when to connect it, and the router and printer should talk to each other without any difficulty. (My mom's router is a modem/router/wifi hub combo from the Paleozoic Era, issued by a very low-tech rural DSL provider, and it worked just fine.) I expected the networking part to be hard, and it was actually fairly easy. If everything I've written so far makes sense, you probably know enough to set this up on the network.
Once it's set up on one computer and on the network, use the driver CD to install the drivers on any other computers on your network; this is even easier.
Within an hour (half of the time making room for the printer and so forth), we had:
*Installed the drivers on 4 computers (1 Mac and 3 PCs--one is even Vista!)
*Printed test pages from each
*Set up the fax preferences (you can do this on the computer via the device management software, which is WAY easier than navigating the device menus)
*Successfully scanned documents into JPGs and PDFs, via the flatbed and sheetfeeder, over the network (many MFCs print well over the network but make it all but impossible to scan without connecting the USB cable), via Mac and PC
I've connected a LOT of devices to a LOT of computers, and for such a complicated device, this was ridiculously easy. Major kudos to HP's software team.
2. Quality
Print and copy quality are great. That's a given with a laser printer, I suppose. It's only black-and-white, but if you don't need color (e.g., if you print your photos at the pharmacy) or have a separate color printer (e.g., a photo-quality inkjet printer), you're good.
The scanning quality is also very good. 300x300 pixel black-and-white scans of sheet-fed documents make great PDFs. I also did a 1200x1200 pixel color scan of an old sports card, and it's quite sharp. I'm not somebody who works with images for a living, but unless you are (or are a very serious hobbyist), this scanner should suit your needs.
I wasn't able to get the standard Mac software (Image Capture) to operate the scanner (that software is pretty weak anyway), but the HP Director software works well on Mac (genuinely shocked) and PC.
My one complaint about using the HP software for scanning is that it doesn't let you preview-and-crop. If you need cropping (e.g., if you're scanning in 4x6 photos), you'll need to do that with another program. You probably already have something on your computer that will do this, but if not, you can download GIMP (free open source program) or buy something cheap and simple to crop, correct color, etc.
We haven't tried the fax yet.
3. Value
At the list price, this is a steal. Even lower-quality manufacturers (you know who they are) are charging similar prices for laser MFCs with no networking capability.
If you've never bought a laser printer, the toner cost (currently on the HP website at $68 for a cartridge that yields about 1600 pages) might be a turnoff, but on a per-page basis, it's probably somewhat-to-much cheaper than the inkjet you're using or considering. The overall build quality and durability of laser printers is also much better, so your "total cost of ownership" (cost of printer + ink/toner, divided by pages printed before the device dies) is likely much lower.
In short, this printer is a winner, at least based on initial quality.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf  Printer (CE841A#BGJ)

HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf

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11/18/2011

Brother HL-2170W 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless and Wired Network Interfaces Review

Brother HL-2170W 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless and Wired Network Interfaces
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought the HL-2170W from Amazon at the beginning of 2008. I found it very easy to configure for both wired and wireless networks, although I use mine on a wired connection out of convenience. I print mostly plain text, and the quality is very good.
I have but two complaints:
First, the paper comes out slightly curled, but this is a fact of life for a printer this size.
Second, Brother has programmed the printer such that when its thinks the toner is empty, it stops working. This happened to me when I was printing some important documents. I did some internet searches and examined the toner cartridge. There is a clear plastic circle at each end of the toner cartridge. The printer shines a light through to see how full the toner is. Simply cover one of them with a piece of opaque tape, and the printer will think that the toner is full. I've already gotten 1500+ pages out of the starter toner that was "empty" at 983, with no difference in printed quality.

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Ideal for both home and office use, the affordable Brother HL-2170W Laser Printer features network connectivity via wireless/wired interfaces, and prints up to 23 pages per minute at a high-quality resolution, giving your work and personal documents a polished finish colleagues and friends are sure to envy.
Versatile and Professional This monochrome laser printer not only warms up in less than 10 seconds and prints up to 23 pages per minute to give you near-instant access to important reports, documents, and annual family letters when you need them, it also includes a manual bypass feeder for professional printing on envelopes and letterhead. The high-quality resolution (up to 2400 x 600 dpi) of this personal black-and-white laser printer reflects the time and care that you put into each document, while giving you the benefits of low cost per page laser output. The printer also includes 32 MB memory, and a 250-sheet capacity tray that can conveniently accommodate standard, legal, and custom-sized paper.
Built-In Wired and Wireless Networking Perfect for family or home offices, the HL-2170W gives you the option to connect the printer via USB, Ethernet, or 802.11b/g wireless networking. Brother makes wireless setup a snap; for users with wireless access points that support SecureEasySetup, Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or AOSS, you can automatically configure your wireless settings by simply pressing a button on your router.
Ergonomic and Energy Efficient The Brother HL-2140 17.9-by-18.7-by-14.2-inch efficient design features a toner save mode for extended toner life as well as sleep mode. Easy to set up and a breeze to use, this printer is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, and includes an animated user-friendly tutorial to help answer common support and maintenance questions.
Environmentally Friendly Design For added peace of mind, this machine is Energy Star compliant, which means it helps save the environment while saving you money. (Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy promoting energy efficiency).
This personal laser printer is backed by a one-year limited manufacturer's warranty.
What's in the Box HL-2170W laser printer, starter toner cartridge and instruction kit.

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11/14/2011

Samsung Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer (SCX-4623FW) Review

Samsung Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer (SCX-4623FW)
Average Reviews:

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This copier/printer/scanner/fax machine is great for the small business owner. The wireless system was easy to set up -- just a few clicks and router info, and it was running. Black ink only, but that is ok - I'm tired of spending $$$$$ on color. I recommend it for home or small business use.

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Simply more. That's what you get with the Samsung SCX-4623F mono laser MFP's ESP Easy Screen Print button, and the SCX-4623FW's One-Touch WiFi button. Using Samsung's AnyWeb Print software, you can select, drag and drop content from different web pages into a new page, then print your screen with the ESP button. Or easily connect to your network wirelessly using the One-touch WiFi button. You also get faxing to and from your PC, print speeds of 23 ppm, 12,000 page monthly duty cycle and a sleek, compact design. Work more, simply. With the SCX-4623F/SCX-4623FW mono laser MFPs from Samsung.

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8/10/2011

Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700 Review

Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700
Average Reviews:

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Does Logitech ever sleep? They seem to churn out new and improved peripherals at an unsustainable pace. Yet, here we are. The long-time peripheral maker is at it again and has unleashed the Kraken upon the PC gaming world. The new Logitech wireless G700 gaming mouse is most definitely a monster. In a good way.
PROS:
- Highly accurate tracking (5700dpi max)
- User replaceable AA rechargeable Eneloop battery
- 13 programmable buttons for each of 5 profiles
- Matte finish easy to grip
- Reasonably comfortable
- Hybrid mouse (corded mousing ability)
- Includes USB extension cable for wireless receiver
CONS:
- Charge only via powered USB port
- On the heavy side
- Slightly elevated slope might be uncomfortable to some
- Does not include a unifying receiver
Sometimes the packaging tells you everything about the product. I have owned countless Logitech mice and I'm very familiar with the packaging. A nice touch on the G700 is a tab that allows you to slide everything out of the box more easily without trashing the box. The G700 for me, is a replacement for my wired Logitech G9 Mouse, which replaced my older wireless Logitech G7 Mouse. I had used the G9 in conjunction with a Logitech MX Revolution wireless mouse, but I can safely say I no longer need 2 different mice for gaming and for general use.
COMFORT
The G700 is nearly as comfortable as the MX Revolution, to me. The G700 however, is higher at the peak of it's slope, with a higher backside than the MX Revolution. My fingers do not rest as comfortably down on the left/right buttons because my palm is more elevated than on the MX Revolution. It is more substantial than the G9 but more comfortable in my opinion. The one thing I wish were still possible in the G700 is the adjustable weight system that the G9 used. It's a bit on the heavy side and I would have preferred being able to set my own weight.
TRACKING
If you're a spec geek, you'll be happy to know that the tracking resolution on the G700 is a bountiful 5700 dpi. The G7 was rated at 2000 dpi and the G9 at 3200 dpi. I'm not sure why they couldn't use their Darkfield Laser technology on the G700. Perhaps it was a required compromise to keep the cost down from the already hefty price tag or perhaps it's not even possible. The Logitech Performance Mouse MX's resolution is still good at 1500 dpi, but not quite up to par with most gaming mice. Regardless, I had no problems tracking with the G700 and on-the-fly dpi changes were quick and easy.
There have been some chatter online about the G700 having problems with small, precise movements that are key to FPS games. I can say confidently that I don't have these problems. The SetPoint software I downloaded from Logitech did apply an update to the mouse though, so perhaps it was a firmware update to address this issue. I'm currently on firmware version 22.35.
CUSTOMIZATION
I have to say that the individually sculpted buttons on the G700 have been done as tasteful as you could want for a mouse with THIRTEEN buttons. There are 4 by the thumb, 3 by the forefinger, 3 for the scroll wheel, 1 under the scroll wheel, and of course, the left and right buttons. The scroll wheel is the highly vaunted hyper-fast scroll wheel that can scroll freely. The button directly under the wheel allows you to easily switch to the ratcheting style scroll and back. All the buttons are placed in easy to reach positions and all are customizable with the SetPoint software.
The G700-specific SetPoint options are separated from the keyboard so you won't see a tab for it if you happen to use a Logitech keyboard as well. The options in SetPoint are laid out well and easy to configure. From what I can tell, once you have written the configurations to the mouse's memory, you can use them on any computer without SetPoint. Great for LAN parties if you don't travel with your own rig. By default, the G700 comes with 3 profiles in which you can set different functions for each button. You can even add 2 more profiles, giving you a total of 5 profiles of 13 functions. That equates to a possible 65 different functions for your mouse. A mouse! You can keep track of which profile you are using with the LED indicators on the side.
WIRELESS PERFORMANCE
It's been a long time since I have had a wireless Logitech mouse give me problems with lag or stuttering and the G700 is no exception. I placed the nano receiver into the back of my desktop computer, which is located on the floor, under my desk. Logitech includes an extension cradle for receiver use, but I didn't need to use it. I have a cordless phone on the same desk as well as a single-band wireless N router.
BATTERY LIFE
Logitech gets bonus points from me for their innovation in the battery department here. First, the rechargeable battery is not only removable, but it's a standard AA NiMH battery that you can pick up for a buck or two anywhere. But wait, there's more! I flipped open the battery compartment to replace the rechargeable with my own Sanyo Eneloop low self-discharge battery and what did I see? A Sanyo Eneloop low self-discharge battery already IN the mouse! Now that is what I'm talkin' `bout Willis! It was low out of the box however so I needed to charge it right away. The battery in the old G7 mouse was actually quite a pain. It was a proprietary battery that you would swap out of the charging receiver, daily. Not only that, but replacements were impossible to find from Logitech. I'm not finished; the innovation doesn't stop there! Logitech included a micro-USB charging cable that inserts quickly and easily into the front of the G700 so that you can use it as a wired mouse while the battery is charging! Though Logitech marketing elected not to call it a hybrid mouse, that's exactly what the G700 is. Apparently the more expensive Razer Mamba has this hybrid ability as well. As should be expected, battery life doesn't come close to matching the old MX Revolution. However, the added flexibility of user replaceable batteries along with the charging/data cord option makes up for the shorter life, in my opinion.
MISC
I like the rough matte finish on the G700 as a matter of personal taste. It doesn't look as classy as my MX Revolution, but it also doesn't smudge like the MX Revolution. My one hope is that the finish doesn't peel like the precision grip on the G9 often did.
The other thing I noticed is that the nano receiver is not a unifying receiver. The unifying receiver is something Logitech has been touting heavily for the past year or two. This would have been nice in case you were using a Logitech wireless keyboard too, since the G700 already takes up 2 USB ports. I figure that Logitech wanted to avoid any complaints about performance due to sharing the bandwidth of a single USB port so they elected to leave out the unifying feature for their gaming hardware.
SUMMARY
The Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700 is a fantastic wireless gaming mouse, especially for MMORPG games. It works well enough to also be a great everyday mouse. If you're really happy with your current mouse, I'm not sure it's worth forking down the Benjamin for the G700. But, if you don't like your curent mouse for some reason or it's on it's last legs, I say go for it. Sure, it could be lighter and more comfortable and have better battery life, but you're also gaining so much more. I personally have packed up my G9 and MX Revolution. In fact, I'd been holding off on getting Starcraft II for a while now and it looks like I have a great reason to finally go get it.

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With 13 programmable controls and a full-speed wireless connection, the logitech wireless gaming mouse g700 keeps you comfortable, in control and deep into your game.

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