Epson MX20DN review

The real appeal of a mono laser printer is in how cheap it is to run. The MX20 isn't the cheapest, at 1.7p per page ex VAT even if you buy high-yield 8,000 page recycling program toner cartridges, but its Total Cost of Ownership is gratifyingly low. The only other consumable you have to worry about is a 165 Maintenance Kit every 100,000 pages. If you just print 100 pages per month, you can spend less than 400 over three years, including the printer's purchase price. Heavy users, who print 3,000 pages per month, will go through 2,384 over three years. However, the sweet spot is held by medium users - those who print around 750 pages every month. They'll spend just 859 over three years. We'd advise extending Epson's one-year onsite warranty to three years, too.

So what's our verdict?

Verdict

If you're after a reasonably priced mono network MFP that doesn't cost too much to run, can handle a decent number of pages every month and quickly produces good quality prints, you can do much worse than the MX20DN. Its clunky physical interface and the quality of its photo mode put it out of contention for our highest rating, but it's earned a solid five stars.

PERFORMANCE

Mono costs: 1.7p

Normal speed: 25.9ppm

Scan speed: 2.6spm

SPECIFICATIONS

MANUFACTURER Epson

Model Aculaser MX20DN

Maximum native print resolution 1,200x1,200dpi

Maximum enhanced print resolution 1,200x1,200dpi

Maximum optical scan resolution (output bit depth) 600x600dpi (24-bit)

QUOTED SPEEDS

Quoted speed, A4 28ppm

TESTED PRINT SPEEDS

First page from sleep 22s

Two greyscale 10x8" photos - total time 9s

Six greyscale 6x4" photos - total time 14s

TESTED SCAN SPEEDS

Full scan area preview 8s

A4 document at 150dpi/300dpi 20s/23s

TESTED COPY SPEEDS

Single A4 page, default quality 8s

10 A4 pages (many to many), default quality 38s

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

Standard interfaces USB, 10/100 Ethernet

Optional interfaces None

Dimensions (HxWxD) 448x494x430mm

Weight 18.4kg

Noise 69 dB(A)

Duty cycle (pages per month) 20,000 pages

Power consumption standby 10W

Power consumption idle 10W

Power consumption active 847W

PAPER HANDLING

Maximum paper size Up to A4

Maximum paper weight 220gsm

Standard paper inputs (capacity) 1 (300)

Maximum paper inputs (capacity) 4 (800)

Output tray capacity 150 sheets

Duplex Yes

Automatic Document Feeder capacity 50

COPY FEATURES

Maximum number of copies 999

Maximum copy resolution 1,200dpi

FAX FEATURES

Maximum mono fax resolution N/A

Maximum memory capacity (mono pages) N/A

GENERAL

Technology Mono laser

Language(s) Emulations: PCL6, PCL5e, Genuine PostScript 3TM, PDF1.6, ESC/Page(B/W), FX, ESCP2, I239X

Supported operating systems Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Server 2003/Server 2008, Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later

Memory, standard (max) 256MB (512MB)

Other features and options None

BUYING INFORMATION

Price inc VAT £394

Consumable parts and prices 8,000 page C13S050582, £147; 3,000 page C13S050583, £84; 8,000 page C13S050584, £136; 3,000 page C13S050585, £79; 100,000 page Maintenance Unit C13S05119, £165

Price per A4 page inc VAT 1.7p

Price 2nd paper cassette inc VAT 250-sheet C12C802641, £116

Capacity of supplied black toner (pages) 2,000 pages

Estimated total ownership cost - three years' light use (3,600 mono pages) £315

Estimated total ownership cost - three years' medium use (21,000 mono pages) £859

Estimated total ownership cost - three years' heavy use (108,000 mono pages) £2384

Warranty duration and terms One year onsite

Supplier www.printware.co.uk

Details www.epson.co.uk

Part code C11CA95001BX