BUYERS LABORATORY TEST REPORT

Imagistics 2500 MFP Multifunctional

 

 

TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Test equipment: BLI’s dedicated test network, consisting of Windows NT 4.0 file servers, Windows 98 and 2000 workstations, 10/100BaseTX network switches and CAT5 cabling.

Reliability

User-Replaceable Consumables

Malfunctions encountered during tests: None. However, there was repetitive misfeeding in tray two, which Imagistics technicians attributed to a damaged tray. The tray was replaced, after which there was no problem.

Misfeeds encountered during tests: See above.

Additional observations: 1) BLI technicians were unable to start MFL-PRO Suite, the bundled software utility, when the Imagistics Model 2500 MFP was connected to a Windows 2000 workstation, requiring BLI technicians to download a patch via the Scansoft Web site, which resolved the problem. 2) The AXIS print controller periodically lost communication with the Imagistics Model 2500 MFP. To resolve the problem, BLI technicians had to disconnect the power cord from the controller, remove the controller from the rear of the device (parallel port), disconnect the network cable, reconnect the controller to the machine and insert the network cable and the power cord. It should be noted that these steps only temporarily resolve the problem and must be taken each time the controller loses communication with the Model 2500 MFP. 3) In testing it was observed that once tray one is empty, the speed when printing from tray two was much slower than when printing from tray one.

4)If the unit is configured with the optional second tray and the user adds paper to the first tray while it’s feeding from the second tray, misfeeding may occur because tray two feeds through the front feed section of tray one.

5)When using Adobe Acrobat 5.0 on a Windows 2000 work- station, fonts did not print properly until the font package, which is bundled on the CD-ROM, was installed. 6) Al- though there is a collate selection within the Windows 2000 driver, it does not function. Users must select collate from within an application.

Maintenance

The Imagistics Model 2500 MFP employs a user-replaceable drum unit and a user-replaceable toner cartridge.

Guarantee/Warranty: The Imagistics Model 2500 MFP is backed by a 90-day warranty on parts and service.

Service pricing: Contact your local Imagistics sales office for service contract pricing.

Toner cartridge: Suggested retail price, $195. Manufacturer’s rated yield, 10,000 pages at 4% page coverage.

Drum unit: Suggested retail price, $195. Manufacturer’s rated yield, 20,000 pages at 4% page coverage.

Ease of replacing toner: Good. When toner is low, the toner icon flashes and the display indicates “TONER LOW”; when the toner cartridge is empty, “TONER EMPTY” appears on the display and the cartridge has to be changed. Replacement of the cartridge is a straightforward and clean procedure.

Toner replacement possible during a print/copy run: No.

Ease of replacing drum unit: Good. When the drum is near the end of its life, “CHANGE DRUM SOON” appears on the display; when the drum is empty, “Change Drum” appears on the display and the drum unit has to be replaced. The user removes the imaging cartridge assembly, which consists of the toner cartridge and drum unit, separates the toner cartridge and the drum unit by releasing the lock lever, attaches the new drum unit to the toner cartridge, inserts the imaging assembly into the machine, and resets a drum counter. First-time users will need to refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on how to reset the counter. Replacing the drum unit was a straightforward and clean procedure.

TESTED TONER YIELD/

COST PER PAGE

TonerYieldImpressions
(Impressions)Per Gram

4,369

37.69

Toner

Supplies
Cost Per PageCost Per Page*

4.463¢

5.43¢

Print cartridge net weight: 115.9 grams

*Based on suggested retail price, tested toner yield (based on 6% page coverage) and the manufacturer’s claimed yield for the drum unit.

Copyright 2003. 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 prosecuted 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. Or visit our Web site at www.buyerslab.com.

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