Essential for large workgroups
The 11- to 30-ppm laser-printer category targets workgroups in a networked environment. We tested the speed of the 10 printers in this group as stand-alone units and as print servers on a Novell NetWare 3.12 Ethernet network. Requirements for this category include an Ethernet interface, support for both PCL and PostScript, and a minimum of 6 MB of memory. The printers in this group share the following characteristics: manufacturer-rated speeds of between 12 and 20 ppm, minimum print resolutions of 600 by 600 dpi, the ability to be configured as a shared printer on a network, automatic switching between interfaces, auto-sensing between emulations, and monthly duty cycles that range from 10,000 to 50,000 pages.
The Kyocera Ecosys FS-3600A earned our best-overall rating, reflectin
g its superior performance in our PCL, PostScript, and network tests. The 18-ppm FS-3600A came in at just under 16 ppm in our text tests. Although it boasts a maximum resolution (i.e., addressability) of 600 by 1200 dpi, the FS-3600A has an output quality that, while good, received stiff competition from the other printers and so was rated only about average for the group. We like the FS-3600A's compact, 24-pound frame.
Priced at $4193, the unit Kyocera sent us included standard support for PCL5e and PostScript Level 1, as well as an optional Ethernet connection. Kyocera also provides LocalTalk and Token Ring interface options.
The more ponderous 75-pound Dataproducts Typhoon 20 finished second in the best-overall category. The Typhoon 20 delivers a strong mix of performance, quality, and features. The 20-ppm Typhoon 20 (Dataproducts also offers a 30-ppm model, the Typhoon 30, and a 60-ppm model, the Typhoon 60) has a maximum print resolution of 800 by 800 dpi. But its paper-handling features se
t it apart: The Typhoon 20 ships standard with three paper trays, can output pages face-up or face-down, supports a maximum input capacity of 850 sheets, and has a 50,000-page monthly duty cycle.
In addition, Dataproducts' Virtual Printer Technology allows up to 64 different printer configurations simultaneously on a heterogeneous network (see "Virtual Printers"). In short, it would be a crime not to connect the Typhoon 20 to a network. The unit's only big drawback is its hefty $7255 price tag.
Following close behind the Typhoon 20 is Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet 4MV. Reasonably priced at $3549, the 4MV can print 16 ppm at 600 by 600 dpi, has a maximum resolution of 600 by 600 dpi, and supports PCL5e, HPGL/2, and Adobe PostScript Level 2. The 4MV also comes with HP's multiprotocol JetDirect card for LocalTalk and Ethernet, plus a user-configurable I/O buffer. The 4MV offers a monthly duty cycle of 35,000 pages and a maximum input capacity of 850 pages. Options include a 42-MB internal hard drive,
to give you access to Adobe Type 1 fonts, and a JetDirect card for Token Ring connectivity.
Lexmark's 1200- by 1200-dpi Optra Rx produced the highest-quality output, though not at spectacular speeds: It prints 16 ppm at 300 by 300 dpi, but only 8 ppm at 1200 by 1200 dpi. But it compensates for this lackluster performance with truly crisp line drawing, readable text in sizes as small as 1.5 points, and near-photographic-quality gray-scale images. Its bidirectional print utility allows local and remote printer control. An optional MarkNet adapter allows you to connect to 18 different NOSes (network operating systems) simultaneously.
Selling for $2298, the DEClaser 3500 is a good buy. Like many Digital Equipment products, its construction is solid, and the 3500 comes with a particularly good setup guide. Its PCL driver lets you change the image-control setting from either the imaging-mode or manual-select setting to the smart-laser setting. This setting automatically selects an appropriate image-co
ntrol setting for you.
If you are searching for a workgroup printer priced under $2500, you should consider these 600- by 600-dpi laser printers: the Apple LaserWriter 16/600 PS ($2429), the Canon LBP-1260 ($2298), and the Texas Instruments microLaser PowerPro ($1639). The LaserWriter stands out with 8 MB of standard RAM and a 17-ppm engine rating.
Reliability is another important consideration when choosing a printer. Although most of the units in this review come with one-year warranties on parts and labor, Canon's LBP-1260 includes a two-year warranty on parts and labor, and Lexmark's Optra Rx and Apple's LaserWriter 16/600 PS both include one-year warranties on parts and labor, as well as free freight to and from the repair center.
A new printer that missed our testing deadline is the QMS 1660E Print System. While the current 1660 configuration ships standard with LocalTalk and offers Ethernet as an option, the 1660E ships standard with Ethernet and offers LocalTalk as an option.
WEIGHTING FOR BEST OVERALL
Performance 45%
Quality 30%
Features 15%
Usability 10%
WEIGHTING FOR HIGH-QUALITY
Quality 100%
Quality Tests:
Line Squeeze
Fonts and text:
Black on white
White on black
Drawing to edges
Gray-scale
Photos
Circles
Edge linearity
This 18-ppm printer was the fastest of the 11- to 30-ppm laser
printers, producing superior PCL and PostScript performance results
in our stand-alone and network tests. Its standard features include a
bidirectional parallel port, enhanced PCL5, and automatic switching
between inputs. Instead of the usual toner cartridge, the FS-3600A
uses a toner drum that is a permanent component of the printer; you
replenish the toner drum about every 10,000 pages from a burnable
toner-supply container.
OVERALL PPM MFR.'S PPM
SCORE PCL POSTSCRIPT MAC RATING
BEST Kyocera Ecosys FS-3600A 8.11 13.55 13.36 N/A 18
RUNNER-UP Dataproducts Typhoon 20 7.81 10.98 10.58 9.03 20
RUNNER-UP HP LasterJet 4MV 7.71 10.95 10.82 8.63 16
RUNNER-UP Lexmark Optra Rx 7.71 5.47 5.64 5.20 16
RUNNER-UP QMS 1660 Print System 7.61 10.59 9.95 9.12 16
SCORES PRICE
QUALITY FEATURES USABILITY AS TESTED
BEST Kyocera Ecosys FS-3600A *** *** ** $4482
RUNNER-UP Dataproducts Typhoon 20 *** **** **** $7255
RUNNER-UP HP LasterJet 4MV **** *** *** $3549
RUNNER-UP Lexmark Optra Rx **** *** **** $2898
RUNNER-UP QMS 1660 Print System ****
*** *** $4899
N/A = not applicable.
KEY
Ratings from 1 to 4:
* is the lowest;
**** is the highest.
This 16-ppm printer, which supports 300, 600, and 1200 dpi, produced
the best-looking output in this category. Lexmark designed the Optra
Rx for single-user desktops and connected workgroups with moderate
printing volumes. Its standard features include enhanced PCL5,
PostScript Levels 1 and 2, and auto-sensing between emulations and
auto-switching between inputs. The Optra Rx has an intuitive control
panel and, at 40,000 pages per month, the second-highest duty cycle
of all the printers we tested. Options include duplex printing and a
40-MB hard disk.
OVERALL PPM MFR.'S PPM
SCORE PCL POSTSCRIPT MAC RATING
BEST Lexmark Optra Rx 7.71 5.47 5.64 5.20 16
RUN
NER-UP QMS 1660 Print System 7.61 10.59 9.95 9.12 16
RUNNER-UP Canon LBP-1260 6.78 8.14 6.37 N/A 12
RUNNER-UP Apple LaserWriter
16/600 PS 7.35 10.35 10.04 9.00 17
RUNNER-UP Xante Accel-
a-Writer 8200 7.23 8.66 8.42 7.41 16
SCORES PRICE
QUALITY FEATURES USABILITY AS TESTED
BEST Lexmark Optra Rx **** *** **** $2898
RUNNER-UP QMS 1660 Print System **** *** *** $4899
RUNNER-UP Canon LBP-1260 **** *** **** $2298
RUNNER-UP Apple LaserWriter
16/600 PS **** *** *** $2429
RUNNER-UP Xante Accel-
a-Writer 8200 **** **** *** $7990
N/A = not applicable.
KEY
Ratings from 1 to 4:
* is the lowest;
**** is the highest.
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11- To 30-PPM Lasers
