TORONTO (djc Features) – Most people would never guess it, but Samsung Electronics is the second-largest manufacturer of laser printers in the world. Over time, the company has slowly and quietly built a reputation on the strength of its black-and-white laser printers and MFCs: affordable, reliable, no-nonsense machines that fit the needs of many small offices.
But it’s only now, with the introduction of the CLP-500, that the Korean electronics giant is entering the growing field of colour laser printers, part of an aggressive strategy to advance its brand. Based on its features and price point, the CLP-500 should give Samsung a strong head start.
For $999.99 you’ll get a fast, high-quality colour laser with built-in duplexing, multiple connectivity options and Samsung’s proprietary NO NOIS (Non-Orbiting Optic Imaging System) engine design. This means fewer moving parts, less need for servicing, as well as one of the quietest printers on the market today — as low as 48 decibels.
It also features a 250-sheet cassette and 100 multi-purpose tray with the option to add another 500-sheet cassette, 64MB memory (expandable to 192MB) and 1200 dpi output. It prints at a respectable 5 ppm in colour and up to 21 ppm in monochrome.
While it’s small compared to the laser printers of yesteryear, the CLP-500 is not quite as compact as some comparable machines. With dimensions of 25.1 x 23.6 x 29.0 inches and a weight of 85 lbs. including toner, you’ll need a reasonable amount of space to accommodate it. Still, at $999.99 ($1,199 for the networked model), the CLP-500 is a very attractive option.
If size is that big an issue, however, Samsung has also announced a new line of compact mono printers for small-to-medium-sized businesses. The new ML-1750 with TonerSave technology (the push of a button can save up to 40 per cent of your precious ink) prints up to 17 ppm at 1200 x 600 dpi and costs $399.
Samsung has also introduced the ML-2151N and ML-2152W, offering 1200 dpi, high paper capacity of up to 1100 and scalable memory of up to 144MB. Both the network- and wireless-ready options print at 21 ppm and go for $949.99 and 1,199.99, respectively.
For enterprise customers, Samsung now offers the ML-2250W, ML-2551N and ML-2552W mono laser printers, featuring 266 MHz processors and expandable memory from 32 to 160MB. These range in price from $999.99 to $1499. All of them can hold up to 1100 sheets of paper and print at an impressive 25 ppm.
If it’s a multi-function printer you’re looking for, the top-of-the-line SCX-5315 takes copies at up to 16 ppm, includes a 480 dpi flatbed scanner and prints out 1200 x 1200 dpi laser prints within 13 seconds. It also features ID card copy capabilities, auto fit, collation, a fax with speed dial and a 72-hour battery backup. Available now, its suggested retail price is $1199.99.
