Samsung SCX-4828FN Laser Multi-Function Printer Review

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(More customer reviews)Environment: mixed Windows XP and Mac OS X (Snow Leopard) computers. 1 GB network backbone and 802.11n wireless.
Set-up: Configured to use both direct (USB) and network connections with both PCs & Macs. Setup took about 45 minutes only because there are so many options and preferences (see Hint #4 below regarding this).
PROS:
1. Great printer. Time to first page is as fast as any laser printer could be, even when its been sleeping in power save mode. Resolution is very good, even in toner saver mode. Very quiet - only slightly noisier if you're printing in duplex mode. You can easily talk on the phone sitting next to it while it's operating.
2. Great document scanner. Automatic document feeder handles stacks of my expense report pages with taped-on receipts with nary a jam. Scanning is super fast over USB and reasonably fast when done over the network. Scans to both Win and Mac machines flawlessly, whether initiated from the SCX-4828 ("pushed" with the Scan to PC feature) or "pulled" from the destination machine using either Samsung's included software or third-party software, including Adobe Acrobat - the full paid version, not the free Acrobat Reader. This is not a high resolution photo scanner. It doesn't scan photo negatives. It also doesn't make toast. There are machines designed specifically for that.
3. Scan to USB flash drive/external hard drive is terrific.
4. Scan to email is very useful.
5. Faxing (initiated both from the SCX-4828's control panel and from a Win/Mac machine) works perfectly. Automatic forwarding of incoming faxes to an email address is brilliant, especially if you travel a lot.
6. You can set the machine to email you when there are problems (out of toner, out of paper, etc.) The setup for this is highly configurable.
7. The 250 sheet paper supply tray is great. The option to add a second paper tray is a big plus, especially if you use letterhead with different paper for page two and beyond or do high volume printing and need an extra-large supply.
8. Haven't found a single problem using this machine with WinXP PCs or Macs running Snow Leopard. I got the latest drivers and software (those are different things, btw) from the Samsung site. I can do everything on the Macs that I can do with the PCs. PCL and PostScript drivers work with no issues.
9. The physical dimensions of the SCX-4828 are as small as you could expect for a printer with an automatic document feeder and that is capable of printing in duplex mode (remember, the sheet has to be flipped over to print the other side and you need a little extra volume to do that).
10. You can check the approximate toner level remotely from any computer on the network.
11. You can set up individual user accounts and keep track of the number of pages printed per user. You can also password protect the device to restrict its use to specific people who share your network.
CONS:
1. The email features won't send mail OUT through Web-based email like Gmail, Yahoo Mail or Hotmail/Windows Live Mail because the SCX-4828 can't handle the type of authentication they need. Sending TO those domains is not a problem. I use my ISP's (Comcast) SMTP server to route my outbound email from the SCX-4828 and it works fine so this is a non-issue for me. Samsung might enhance their firmware to accommodate this shortcoming at some point but don't count on it.
HINTS:
1. RTFM. A lot of whining (and I do mean whining) from others about problems with this machine could have been easily avoided had they read the manuals. For sure this is a complex machine, but it's not particularly complicated, given what it's capable of doing. There are settings to set and choices to make if you want it to match your particular workflow. Take the time to understand what the options mean and what the settings do. Don't blame Samsung for bad design if you're too lazy to learn how to use it.
2. Use a static IP address if you're using this device on a network. It will make configuring each client machine that accesses it a lot easier if you do.
3. You can download all of the documentation (manuals, quick start guide) for this machine from the Samsung site for free BEFORE you purchase it. DO IT. Check out what the SCX-4828fn does and does not do (e.g. it can't SCAN both sides of documents using the ADF - it only PRINTS in duplex mode. You'd know that if you RTFM before you bought the thing.) Does the setup look too big and scary to enable the specific features you want to use on this device? Find that out BEFORE you buy it and either learn about how to do it or find someone with the expertise to help you after it arrives.
4. You don't have to use or even set up every bell and whistle all at once to get up and running with this machine. Live with the defaults for a little while until you run through different scenarios and then change settings as needed. Layer new functions on as you get comfortable with the basic features.
5. I agree with others that the SmarThru Office software is a resource hog and totally unnecessary. I didn't install it. It's a heavy-handed attempt at a document organization and indexing system to help you keep track of your scans. You already have tools on your PC or Mac that do what it does. If you don't already use those built-in tools, you likely won't use SmarThru, either.
6. The next-level-down and less expensive SCX-4826fn is identical to the SCX-4828fn with one exception: the latter includes PostScript capability, which was a must-have for the types of applications I use and the presence of Macs in my environment. People figured out that you could upgrade a 4826 for free by flashing it with the firmware of a 4828 that you could download from the Samsung site - until Samsung figured that out, too and stopped posting the firmware online. If you don't need PostScript capability, save yourself some money and get the 4826.

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The SCX-4828FN versatile print, copy, scan and fax machine features a compact footprint and low noise level. It unobtrusively processes up to 50,000 pages a month, at speeds up to 30 ppm. The 250-sheet cassette with optional additional 250-sheet cassette means fewer job interruptions to load paper. And a front USB port lets you print files from and scan directly to a USB flash drive. With the SAMSUNG SCX-4828FN multifunction printer, it's not hard to imagine.

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Xerox Phaser 6125/N Color Laser Printer Review

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(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.
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(*) 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.

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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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Brother HL-4040cdn Color Laser Printer with Duplex and Networking Review

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(More customer reviews)This printer will tell you when you are out of toners and need new ones. And when you are out with just one of the color toner, this printer will not allow you to print anything until you replace it with the new toner.
So here is how to override these problem, and you decide when the toner needs to be changed... and not the printer.
1. Slide out the toner trays and put a piece of black electrical tape over the sensors on each color toner. This will make the print think that it has full toner.
2. If you already see "Replace Toner" messages, just RESET it by opening the front COVER and pressing CLEAR and REPRINT together. Scroll up and down to reset desired toner.
3. If you think you have more life and juice left on its drum and laser parts, just reset it and forget it! Open the COVER, and hold down GO and hit UP (+) button. Scroll through the menu to select and reset!!!!
After the "replace toner" message, I reset the counter, and I have printed over 2000 more pages on a same cartridge. But be aware! You will start to see some "sprinkles of toners" on your pages as they are way over used.

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HL-4040CDN Color Laser Printer with Duplex and NetworkingThe HL-4040CDN produces brilliant color output for all your business documents at up to 21 pages per minute in either color or monochrome.Delivering outstanding output quality at up to 2400 x 600 dpi, the HL-4040CDN makes it easy to produce high-quality color reports, brochures, and presentations right from your desktop or directly from a USB flash memory drive or PictBridge-enabled camera. And to keep your operating costs low, high-capacity replacement toner cartridges are available.Its impressive list of standard features also includes: built-in duplex printing for two-sided documents, flexible paper input capacity, including a fold-down multi-purpose tray for envelopes and letterhead, and a built-in Ethernet network interface for sharing its powerful performance with your small workgroup.With its fast print speeds, outstanding print quality, and built-in duplex printing, the HL-4040CDN gives you the ability to get your message across and add impact to all your business documents.

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Brother HL-3070CW Compact Digital Color Printer with Wireless Networking Review

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(More customer reviews)In this day of laptops, netbooks, and sophisticated phones, a network printer can simplify things greatly. With a wireless network already running in the house, we could add a wireless printer and put it where it most convenient for us rather than where there was a network connection. Enter the Brother HL-3070CW.
First a bit about printing technologies: Inkjets are cheaper to purchase, but the cost of ink cartridges is staggering over time. The HL-3070CW comes with a set of "starter" toner cartridges, rated for 1,000 pages each. Compare that to an inkjet, where ratings of 150 - 200 pages from a full set of carts are common. (Our Epson CX5800F is lucky to get 75 pages out of a set of cartridges, given the amount of ink we waste on clogged print heads.) The Brother toner cartridges cost more to replace, but you'll be replacing them much less often. The replacement black toner cartridge is rated for 2,200 pages, and the replacement color cartridges are rated at 1,400 pages each. The printer's drum units are also user-replaceable, and are rated for 15,000 sheets. By my calculations, assuming that we get half of the rated pages from the toner cartridges, we'll have made up the cost difference between these technologies in less than a year. The Brother will be significantly cheaper to run over time, without the frustration of clogged printheads.
I bought the Brother HL-3070CW shortly after it was released. This was a bit of a leap of faith, given that there were no reviews available at the time. It took about 20 minutes to unbox the printer, set it up, and connect it to our (WPA-PSK secured) wireless network. It was a painless process from start to finish. The toner cartridges slot into the top of the printer easily, and the paper tray (250 sheets) slides in the bottom.
The LCD screen on the printer is very basic, but it's easy to read, it includes a back light, and it does its job well. The menu system is very simple (one item at a time, scroll with the up and down keys), but the choices are easy to understand and the menu works exactly as expected. I've never had to read the operating manual that came with the printer. (Installation documentation is supplied on paper, but the operating manual is a pdf file on the included disc.)
Print quality has been excellent from the start. Characters are well-formed and easy to read, and graphic quality is very high with solid, vivid colors. Although not true photo quality, images are perfectly suitable for business purposes (brochures, presentations, etc.).
I've used paper from 20 to 32 pounds without incident with this printer. I have not had any paper jams, and the printer always picks up just one sheet of paper. The output tray on the top is rated to hold 100 sheets, and it looks like it could do that easily. The printer will handle legal sized sheets, although so far all of my printing has been on letter sized paper. There's a manual feed slot for thicker media and envelopes, but I've not had a reason to try it yet.
The printer uses 10 watts while asleep, and wakes from sleep very quickly. It takes less than 20 seconds for the first page to print if the printer's asleep when the document is sent. I've set my printer to go to sleep quickly, and have experienced no problems at all with it waking when documents are sent to it. The printer has also recovered gracefully from a power outage, including reconnecting to our wireless network automatically. It makes some noise when it feeds paper, but the noise level isn't objectionable.
One other interesting feature: The printer includes a USB port that can be used with PictBridge cameras, or that can be used to print some document types (e.g., pdf, jpeg) directly from a thumb drive.
The Brother HL-3070CW is easy to set up, it uses little energy in standby mode, it feeds paper reliably, its consumable costs are reasonable, and it produces excellent quality output. I'm not sure what else one could ask for from a printer. I'm very happy with this unit, and have recommended it to others who have also had good experiences with it.

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The HL-3070CW is a digital color printer with wireless networking that is ideal for small offices or small workgroups. It produces brilliant, high-quality output at up to 600 x 2400 dpi resolution with a fast print speed of up to 17ppm in color or black. It offers flexible paper handling with a 250-sheet capacity paper tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes. Conveniently place your printer and share it with others on your network via its built-in wireless 802.11b/g or Ethernet interfaces. The HL-3070CW also features a USB Direct Interface allowing you to print from your USB flash memory drive or PictBridge-enabled camera.

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