Samsung CLX-3160FN

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By Felisa Yang, CNET.com
Nov 27, 2007

The Samsung CLX-3160FN is a large, all-in-one color laser printer for small offices or work groups. The S$1,199 printer is network-ready and offers the expected feature set plus good print/scan quality. Many of the tasks, however--particularly printing graphics--are a bit slower than the competitions'. If you're looking for the fastest prints, check out the Epson AcuLaser CX11NF, and if you want the best print quality, take a look at the HP Color Laserjet CM1017 MFP. Despite the fact that the Samsung CLX-3160FN is neither the fastest nor makes the best prints, it arrives at a compelling intersection of price, features, and performance, making it a great value for general purpose multitasking for work groups.

Design

The Samsung CLX-3160FN is a large, multifunction laser printer, better suited for a small work group or an office's utility closet. It stands at 166 x 429 x 486mm. At 20.5kg, it's possible for one person to move it around--the hand wells on either side help. The CLX-3160FN has an A4-size flatbed scanner, which is topped with an automatic document feeder that holds up to 50 sheets of paper. The ADF lets you make legal-size copies/scans, as well.

The CLX-3160FN ships with a single paper cassette that holds up to 150 sheets of plain paper. You can configure the cassette for various paper sizes, including legal length. Atop the cassette sits a single-sheet manual feed tray with adjustable paper guides--convenient for one-off prints. If you need increased paper capacity, Samsung offers an optional 250-sheet cassette. The output well has a fold-out flap that keeps prints from sailing to the ground.

The control panel is well-organized and simple to understand. The two-line text LCD is surrounded by task buttons (for fax, copy, and scan/e-mail) and menu navigation buttons. Dedicated fax buttons let you access stored quick-dial numbers, browse the address book, change resolution, and redial. Dedicated copy buttons allow you to adjust darkness, change the original type, and reduce/enlarge. Rounding out the control panel are the alphanumeric keypad and two Start buttons (for color and mono). A front-mounted USB port offers direct USB connectivity for PictBridge cameras or USB flash memory devices.

The CLX-3160FN uses Samsung's patented toner "plugs" that are easy to pull out and replace. The multifunction machine ships with starter cartridges: the black prints up to 1,500 pages and the color cartridges print up to 700 pages each. The printer's monthly duty cycle (that is, recommended print volume) is 24,200 pages, making it better suited for a small work group than a home office user.

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