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Contents 
Introduction
HL-6050DN
DocuPrint 240A-AP
PagePro 9100
EcoSys FS-1920
Lanier LP025n
Lexmark E332n
Specifications
How we tested
Case study
Look out for...
Editor's choice
About RMIT |
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Interoperability
What operating systems, hardware platforms, and networking protocols are there?
Futureproofing
What is the maximum amount of RAM you can install on each printer? Its paper-handling options?
ROI
Initial cost of the printer and replacing consumablesvs print quality and speed.
Service
What is the length of warranty and the support hours?
Print Speed
For the speed tests, printers were set to PCL mode at 600dpi. We used plain paper. Each printer was linked to the computer via a 100Mbit switch. The computer itself had a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor and 256MB RAM. The operating system was Windows XP Professional. Software used was Microsoft Office.
Peak pages per minute benchmark:
A 30-page, plain text document, of typical type coverage, was printed on each machine. The timing does not include lead time to first page. We use the following formula:
PPM = (60 / (time to print 30 pages - time to first page)) * 29
Average pages per minute benchmark:
This time a 20-page document was printed. It contained various fonts at different colours and sizes along with, columns, simple graphics and photos. Lead time to first page is included. Formula:
PPM = (60 / (time to print 20 pages)) * 20
Print Quality
Printers were set to 1200dpi PostScript mode for these tests with two notable exceptions. The sample machine from Lanier did not have the memory capacity to deal with the 50MB photo file. The Docuprint from Fuji Xerox did not have a PostScript driver -- this is an optional extra.
Plain paper was used for each test. I should note that many of the faults in quality noticed in the printing would likely have been alleviated by the use of high resolution paper. The PDF files were naturally printed from Adobe Acrobat and the TIF picture file was printed from Paint.
Here we look at the printer's ability to accurately form fonts at various sizes ranging from 48pt to 4pt. The sample document contained both Times New Roman and Gaudy Handtooled fonts. We looked for smooth lines and curves, spatter, smoothness of ink distribution under magnification, and overall appearance with the naked eye.
Laserkey.pdf
Linear and curved greyscales (both discrete and spectral) were observed for smoothness and shade consistency. Fine lines, curved horizontal, and oblique, were judged for accurate spacing and smoothness. Observation was by the naked eye.
Photo
A large (~50MB) TIF image was used for this test. The image was a composite, showing a range of colours, textures, and shading. It included sky and water, plants and a baby, bone, glass, and weathered wood. The image was viewed by eye for gradient smoothness, accuracy of fine detail, darkness and lines, and dithering in low contrast areas.
