Samsung SCX-4521F LTR [USA33839] Rep.pdf

Samsung SCX-4521FBuyerS LaBoratory InC. Lab test report

© 2006 Buyers Laboratory Inc. WARNING: This material is copyrighted by Buyers Laboratory Inc. and is the sole property of Buyers Laboratory. Duplication of this proprietary report or excerpts from this report, in any manner, whether printed or electronic (including, but not limited to, copying, faxing, scanning or use on a fax-back system), is illegal and strictly forbidden without written permission from Buyers Laboratory. Violators will be pros-ecuted to the fullest extent of the law. To purchase reprints of any BLI reports or articles, contact BLI at (201) 488-0404. Buyers Laboratory Inc., 20 Railroad Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Contact us at [email protected]

LAB

TEST

A Comprehensive BLI Laboratory Evaluation

Distributor: Samsung Electronics, Ridgefield Park, NJ.Manufacturer: Samsung Electronics, Ridgefield Park, NJ; Made in China.Test period duration: Two months, including 5,175-impression durability test.Manufacturer’s recommended monthly volume: Up to 4,200 impressions.BLI’s recommended monthly volume for optimum performance: Up to 2,500 impressions.Type: Desktop, flatbed digital CIS digital color scanner; laser imaging, monocomponent developing; cut-sheet bond paper; heat and pressure fusing multifunctional device.

GeneraL appraISaL

The Samsung SCX-4521F, a 20-ppm desktop multifunctional device, gave a good performance in BLI’s tests. Featuring standard PC printing, walk-up faxing, convenience copying and color scanning to connected PCs, the SCX-4521F offers good overall productivity at a very low price. The laser-based model proved highly reliable, completing BLI’s two-month evaluation, which included a 4,500-impression durability test, without any malfunctions or misfeeds.

All of the Samsung SCX-4521F’s standard functions (print, copy, scan and fax) were easy to use. The control panel, which is well-laid-out with a small but easy-to-read display, is logically organized into separate sections for copy, scan and

Overall Rating ..................RecommendedReliability ............................................... Excellent

Misfeeds ........................................................ 0Service Calls ................................................... 0

Image Quality .......................... Copy PrintText .....................................Fair GoodLine Art ...............................Good GoodHalftone Range .......................Fair FairHalftone Fill ...........................Fair GoodSolids ..................................Good Very Good

Pricing Analysis ......................................... ExcellentSupplies Cost Per Page ................................ 3.329¢

Ease of Use ............................................. Very GoodProductivity ............................................ Very Good

Suggested retail price: $249.

Samsung SCX-4521F 20 PPM Desktop Multifunctional DevicePrinter • Copier • Scanner • Fax

April 2006

This report has been reproduced with the written permission of Buyers Laboratory Inc. Any duplication of this report, in whole or part, in any form or manner, without the written permission of Buyers Laboratory, is unlawful and violators will be prosecuted. © 2006 Buyers Laboratory Inc. To purchase reprints,

contact BLI at (201) 488-0404 (x17) or at [email protected].

© 2006 Buyers Laboratory Inc. WARNING: This material is copyrighted by Buyers Laboratory Inc. and is the sole property of Buyers Laboratory. Duplication of this proprietary report or excerpts from this report, in any manner, whether printed or electronic (including, but not limited to, copying, faxing, scanning or use on a fax-back system), is illegal and strictly forbidden without written permission from Buyers Laboratory. Violators will be prose-cuted to the fullest extent of the law. To purchase reprints of any BLI reports or articles, contact BLI at (201) 488-0404. Buyers Laboratory Inc., 20 Railroad Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Contact us at [email protected]

LAB

TEST

Samsung SCX-4521F

BuyerS LaBoratory Lab test report

fax modes. Removing and replacing the toner cartridge also proved convenient. The unit was also very easy to install. Users simply insert the CD-ROM into the drive, click “install” and the software walks them through the process. BLI technicians were able to perform a local installation of the device (connected via the standard USB port) in several minutes with four clicks of the mouse. The SPL print driver (Samsung’s proprietary GDI driver) is automatically loaded using the default installation routine.

The SCX-4521F also displayed good overall productivity. For example, the unit produced BLI’s job stream faster than average for similar models and its first-copy time from both the platen and the ADF are among the fastest for competitive models. In addition, although its copy efficiency in simplex mode is well below average, the SCX-4521F’s simplex print efficiency is competitive, as is its BLI-tested fax scan-to-memory speed.

Utilities include an embedded Web page, which allows administrators to view device settings and monitor consumables. The bundled ScanToPC utility allows users to scan to PC desktop in a choice of file formats, including TIFF, PDF and JPEG. When connected to a PC via the USB port, users can scan via TWAIN driver and SmarThru 4 scanning software, which includes OCR. Furthermore, the device offers color scanning.

ADVANTAGES

• The SCX-4521F is priced well below the average for similar models.

• The unit’s first-copy time from both the platen and the ADF are among the fastest for competitive models.

• The unit’s first-print times are faster than the average for all file formats tested.

• The SCX-4521F offers standard color scanning.

ShORTCOMINGS

• Copy quality was rated “Fair” for text and halftones; print output was rated “Fair” for halftone fill.

• Copy efficiency in simplex mode is well below average.

• The unit’s paper capacity is below average.




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Samsung SCX-4521F


pricing analysis

The Samsung SCX-4521F offers a competitive supplies cost per page and is priced less than half the average for devices in this category. It should be noted, however, that the unit’s non-expandable 150-sheet paper capacity is below average.

Summary

Because of its good overall performance, as well as its excellent reliability and very low price, BLI recommends the Samsung SCX-4521F for users in need of a multifunctional device with copy, print, fax and scan capabilities for monthly volumes of up to 2,500 impressions.




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Samsung SCX-4521F


teSt reSuLtS anD oBSerVatIonS

Test equipment:BLI’s dedicated test network, consisting of Windows 2000 serv-ers, Windows 2000 and XP workstations, 10/100BaseTX network switches and CAT5 cabling.

Reliability

PMs/Malfunctions Service Required Meter Count (Impressions)

Impressions Between Service

Meter count (beginning of test) 0

End of test period 4,500

Total misfeeds/misfeed rate 0/Not applicable

Total Service Calls 0

ease of operation

Printer: Very GoodCopier: Very GoodScanner: Very GoodFax: Very Good

Ease of use:Very Good. The Samsung SCX-4521F has a two-line 32-character LCD display that is easy to read. The control panel is well designed, logically organized into separate sections for copy, fax and scan functions.

Ease of installation:Very Good. The process for installing the Samsung SCX-4521F soft-ware was easy and straightforward. All software is contained on one CD, which simplifies installation.

Number of clicks to install driver/utilities:Four.




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Samsung SCX-4521F


user replaceable Consumables

Black high-yield print cartridge:Price, $79.99. Manufacturer’s rated yield, 3,000 pages at 5% cover-age.

Ease of replacing print cartridge:Good. Replacing the print cartridge, which includes the toner and drum, was a clean and straightforward procedure.

TESTED TONER YIELD / SUPPLIES COST PER PAGE

Net Weight Toner Yield (Impressions)

Impressions Per Gram

Toner Cost Per Page1

Supplies Cost Per Page2

Black 77.3 grams 3,854 49.86 3.088¢ 3.088¢1 Toner cost per page is based on Samsung’s Web pricing for the high-yield print cartridges and BLI’s tested toner yield based

on an original with 6% page coverage.2 The supplies cost per page is based on Samsung’s Web pricing and BLI’s tested toner yields for the toner cartridge, as well as

Samsung’s rated yield for the toner cartridge.

performance of Copier Functions

Copy Quality

Text: FairLine art: GoodHalftone range: FairHalftone fill: FairSolids: Good

Comments: Copy output produced by the SCX-4521F was fair overall. Solids showed good density, and though line art was also good overall, it showed evidence of stair-stepping and breakup was visible in some output. Text was fair; under magnification, text was jagged around the serifs of curves. Halftones were very grainy and showed band-ing, with no separation between levels one and two, and three and four.

Density of original: Range, 1.65 to 1.70 (on a scale of 0 to 2.5, with 2.5 being as dark as would be possible under most circumstances).




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Density of copy: Range, 1.22 to 1.38 (on a scale of 0 to 2.5, with 2.5 being as dark as would be possible under most circumstances).

Density range for products in this class tested to date: 1.06 to 1.53

Density of solid black copied image based on eight readings corresponding to eight different locations on the original.

Halftone range: Clearly visible from the 15% (which is the minimum coverage level on the original) to the 100% dot-fill level.

Copier productivity

Copying speeds: (8-1/2" x 11" copies; no automatic modes available):

First copy time from the platen:8.91 seconds

First-copy time from the document feeder:10.40 seconds

Number of copies per minute excluding first copy:18

Number of copies per minute including first copy:21

Copy/Print Efficiency

Note: BLI obtains the overall efficiency for each copy/print mode by averaging the efficiency ratings (derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed, and then multiplying by 100) for each run length (1 and 5 sets). Print efficiency rates are based on speeds tested using the PCL driver at the unit’s highest true resolution from a workstation running Windows 2000 over a standard network connection. Print speed is tested using BLI’s Test Original (6% page coverage). The test page is printed in a quantity equal to double the vendor’s rated print speed for the device (e.g., if the vendor’s rated print speed is 20 ppm, 40 pages are printed). Speed tests are conducted using a 10-page document. The Samsung SCX-4521F’s print speeds were

0

Copy Mode 1:1

755025

Print Mode 1:1

25.3

77.0

100%




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Samsung SCX-4521F


SecondaryFunction

PrimaryFunction

SEND FAX RECEIVE FAX PRINT SCAN COPY

SEND FAX Yes No4 Yes No3 Yes

RECEIVE FAX Yes No4 Yes No3 No1

PRINT Yes Yes Yes No2 No1

SCAN *5 Yes No6 No7 No5

COPY Yes Yes Yes No2 No1

1 The unit does not support copy job reserves. (3)2 Port is busy (Displayed on PC). (2)3 Device is not responding (Displayed on PC). (2)4 The phone line is busy with primary function. (2)5 As soon as the document feeder was free the secondary function could be programmed, but the primary function was already

complete. (2)6 There was an error found when printing the document to USB005: Do you want to retry or cancel job? (Displayed on PC). (1)7 Document feeder/scanner is in use. (1)

NOTE: (X) Indicates number of occurrences. A “Yes” indicates that the user can initiate the secondary function while the pri-mary function is taking place and that no further user intervention will be required for the secondary function to take place.

performance of printer Functions

Print Quality

Text: GoodLine art: GoodHalftone range: FairHalftone fill: GoodSolids: Very Good

Comments:Print output produced by the Samsung SCX-4521F at 600 x 600 dpi was good overall. Solids were very good, showing very dense and even coverage. Text was rated good. Though not noticeable in a visual examination with the naked eye, under magnification the serifs of characters appeared jagged and stair-stepping of diagonal lines was evident. Line art showed slight overspray under magni-fication, as well as some broken circular lines. halftone fill was grainy and showed slight banding, but halftone output was visible over a broad range.

Halftone range:Clearly visible from the 2% to 97% dot-fill levels, with distinct tran-sitions between levels.




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Samsung SCX-4521F


Typical halftone range for 600-dpi engines: 4% to 84%.

Range:1.29 to 1.37 (on a scale of 0 to 2.5, with 2.5 being as dark as would be possible under most circumstances).

Density range for products in this class tested to date: 0.98 to 1.74.

Density of solid black printed image based on four readings corresponding to four different locations on the original.

print productivity

BLI’S TESTED PRINT SPEEDS

Print speed is tested using BLI’s Test Original (with 6% page coverage). The test page is printed in a quantity equal to double the vendor’s rated print speed for the device in each mode tested (e.g., if the vendor’s rated print speed is 20 ppm, 40 pages are printed). The Samsung SCX-4521F’s print speeds were tested at 1200 dpi using the GDI driver.

TESTED FIRST-PRINT TIMES (seconds)

Windows 2000 Word PageMaker Photoshop Acrobat Photoshop

File Type Text Graphic/Text Graphic Graphic/Text Graphic

File Extension DOC PM TIF PDF JPG

Pre-Raster File Size 114 KB 116 KB 20 MB 171 KB 245 KB

Post-Raster File Size 279 KB 466 KB 617MB 585 KB 851 KB

First-Print Time 11.36 10.85 21.04 16.67 15.20

The Samsung SCX-4521F’s first-print times/print speeds were tested at 600 dpi using the GDI driver.

First-print time indicates the time it took to RIP, image and deliver the first page of the test document set to the output tray.

Average Speed(excluding first page)

Average Speed(including first page)

0 15105

Pages per minute

19.06

19.01

20




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Samsung SCX-4521F


Job Stream evaluation

A job stream consisting of nine files (a mix of Word, Excel, hTML, PowerPoint and e-mail) is sent to a paused print queue. All files are monochrome or monochrome and mixed color and consist of five or fewer pages (total of 19 pages). Timing begins when the queue is released and ends when the last page of the job stream completely exits the device.

Time to completion of all print jobs:1 minute, 46.83 seconds.

Range for products in this class tested to date:1 minute, 12.35 seconds to 3 minutes, 32.9 seconds.

Problems encountered:None.

Applications compatibility:Good. (Units are tested for compatibility with Microsoft Word 2000, Microsoft PowerPoint 2000, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Adobe Acrobat 5.0 using 25 application test files, which contain text, graphics, halftone images, tables, etc., enabling BLI technicians to evaluate memory usage, file processing, font-ren-dering and grayscale capability.)

Print drivers:The SCX-4521F is bundled with an SPL print driver, Samsung’s pro-prietary GDI driver.

Operating system support:Windows 98, 2000, XP and Linux.

Network system support:None.

Resolution modes:600 x 600 dpi.

Send once/print many:Yes. When printing from the SPL print driver, the file size did not increase regardless of whether collate was selected from the Win-dows print screen within an application or from the driver. Output was properly collated.Samsung SCX-4521F SPL Print Driver




LAB

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Samsung SCX-4521F


Connectivity

General: The Samsung SCX-4521F was connected to BLI’s test PC via its stan-dard USB connection.

Embedded Web page: No.

Included software:The SCX-4521F includes Samsung’s SPL print driver, a TWAIN scan driver, the SmarThru 4 scanning software, which includes OCR and an image editor, and the Printer Settings Utility, which allows the user to program the fax phonebook, change printer settings, remotely view the control panel at the desktop and update the device firmware. The Printer Settings Utility can also be used to configure the scan destination application, allowing users to select a default program to which documents are scanned.

Consumables monitoring: No. Although information on how much toner is remaining in the print cartridge is not available, the LCD displays a “Toner Low” or “Toner Empty” message to inform the user when toner should be replaced.

performance of Standalone Fax Functions

Fax scanning speed:The average scanning speed is obtained from scanning into memory three originals using standard resolution and normal contrast set-tings; timing begins when the “start” button is pressed and contin-ues until the last page exits onto the exit tray.

Fax scanning speed with 4% page coverage original: 5.61 seconds per page; range for products in this class tested to date, 3.02 to 16.14 seconds.

Fax scanning speed with 12% page coverage original:6.55 seconds per page; range for products in this class tested to date, 3.02 to 16.14 seconds.




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Samsung SCX-4521F


performance of Scanner Functions

Scan to file: YesScan to folder (local): YesScan to e-mail (local): NoScan to FTP: No

Scanning software: The Samsung SCX-4521F is bundled with a TWAIN scan driver, ScanToPC utility and SmarThru 4 utility, which includes OCR (when connected to an end-user’s PC via USB).

Noteworthy features: Color scanning.

performance of tested Special Features

Document Feeder

Document feeding speeds:1:1 copy mode: 8.54 originals per minute (8-1/2" x 11" origi-nals; speeds were the same regardless of the automatic modes selected).

Bypass

The 50-sheet bypass accommodates sheets ranging in size from 3" x 5" to 8-1/2" x 14" and in weight from 16 to 43 lbs.

environmental Specifications

Electrical system:110-127V, 50/60 hz, 4.5 amps. The unit tested has a three-wire cord (grounded) and carried UL approval for the United States and Canada.

Paper fault:None. (Georgia-Pacific Spectrum Xerographic Bond paper was used in this test unit).



Specifications


Samsung SCX-4521F20 ppm Desktop MFP (p/c/s/f) Laser, electrostatic

US release: Summer 2005US SRP / Street: None/ $249.99Canada SRP: INAColor Type: Not applicableController: SamsungCPU / Bits / MHz: INA/INA/66Memory (std / max): 16 MB/INAHDD: INAPDLs: SPL

INTERFACE / CONNECTIVITY

Client OS Spt: Windows 98/NT 4.0/2000/Me/XP, Linux*Network Spt: NoneStd Interface: Parallel, USB Opt Interface: None Printer Mgmt: INA

COMMENTS: *Via USB only. First print out time: 11 sec from standby. Copy: 20 cpm, 600 dpi, reduce/enlarge 25 to 400% (25 to 100% from ADF), 1 to 99 copies. Scan: TWAIN/WIA std, 24-bit color CIS scanner, 4800 dpi, 256 greyscale levels, 30-sheet ADF.

FAD 33839

Paper Handling

Std/Max Paper Source(s): 1/INAStd/Max Paper Capacity: 150 sheets/INAPaper Size (W x L): 8.5" x 14" maxPrint Area (W x L): INA maxPaper Weights: 16-lb to 25-lb bondStd Output Capacity: 50 sheetsOther Output: INABypass (Capacity / Weight): 150 sheets/16-lb to 25-lb bond Automatic Duplexing: None

Features

Collation: INAColor Depth (Bits): Not applicableColor Management: Not applicableFonts: Host-based IPP (Web) Support: INARIP Once / Print Many: INASecure Printing: INAOther: Fax: 33.6 Kbps modem, 3 spp, MH/MR/MMR/JPEG, 300 dpi max resolution, 2 MB memory, 100 auto dial locations

Additional Information

Display / Characters: LCD/32Energy Star Compliance: YesNoise Level (Print / Idle): 53 dB / 35 dBPower Consumption: 350W maxPower Reqs (V / Hz / Amps): 110-240/50-60/4.5-2.5Warranty: One year parts and laborWeight (Base Unit): 22.9 lbsDimensions (H x W x D): 14.5" x 17.2" x 14.7"

Options

INA

Supplies

Black (SC-4521D3) Toner: $79.99; yield–3,000 pages; coverage–5%.

ENGINE

Mfr / Model / Country: Samsung/ INA/ KoreaMonthly Duty Cycle: 4,200 pagesRated Engine Life: INA

RESOLUTION

Standard: 600 x 600 dpiEnhanced: INA

the leading independent office products test lab and business consumer advocateBUYERS LABORATORY INC. 20 RAILROAD AVENUE HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 201-488-0404 WWW.BUYERSLAB.COM

Copyright 2006 by Buyers Laboratory. Reproduction without written permission from BLI is illegal and strictly prohibited.

CERTIFICATE OF RELIABILITYAWARDED TO

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICAFor the performance of the

Samsung SCX-4521F throughout BLI's in-house durability test.

This is to certify that when subjected to a 5,175-impressionBuyers Lab durability test, the Samsung SCX-4521F

proved to be a highly reliable product.

T E S T E D

RELIABILITY CERTIFIED

BU

YER

SLABORATOR

YIN

CBU

YER

SLABORATOR

YIN

C

T E S T E D

RELIABILITY CERTIFIED

®ANTHONY F. POLIFRONEMANAGING DIRECTOR

DATE

April 2006

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT OFFICE PRODUCTS TEST LAB AND BUSINESS CONSUMER ADVOCATEBUYERS LABORATORY INC. • 20 RAILROAD AVENUE • HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 • USA • WWW.BUYERSLAB.COM

Copyright 2006 Buyers Laboratory. This certificate has been reproduced with the written permission of BLI.

Samsung SCX-4521F LTR [USA33839] Rep.pdf

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