BIOS: Technology Means Business

Epson's single-pass AcuLaser C4200 colour printer series comprises four models, each designed to suit varying business requirements and budgets. Basically, the more you spend, the more driver support and paper handling you get.

Models in the range include the entry-level AcuLaser-C4200DN reviewed here (Best Current Price: £799 ex. VAT), AcuLaser-C4200DTN (adds an additional 1100-sheet paper cassette unit), AcuLaser-C4200DNPC5 (further adds PCL5C), and AcuLaser-C4200DTNPC5 (standard model with PCL5C and additional 1100-sheet paper cassette).

The AcuLaser C4200 has a speedy time-to-first-page of just 10.2 seconds and total print speed of up to 35ppm (pages-per-minute) in mono or 25ppm in colour, which is a little lacking for a printer in its class. Having said that, in our tests we still couldn't even achieve these print speeds, with real-world colour print speeds of around 15ppm. Double-sided printing is also achieved at around 12ppm thanks primarily to a 600MHZ Power PC processor and 128MB of memory as standard (upgradable to 640MB), and the 22-digit 5-line backlit LCD makes operating the printer independently of your computer a snap.

Other features of the 437x588x457mm (34.5kg) AcuLaser C4200 include built-in parallel, Hi-Speed USB and NIC ports, as well as 4800dpi print quality using Epson's AcuLaser ASIC resolution improvement technology. Paper handling as standard is above average at 700 sheets (150 in multi-purpose tray and 550 using the standard universal cassette), and print languages supplied as standard include ESC/Page Colour, ESC/Page, ESC/P2, FX, IBM Mode I239X and Adobe PS3 (PCL5C and PCL6 are optional extras).

Overall, the AcuLaser C4200DN offers a good range of features that typically come as optional extras with a lot of competing products. However, we would have liked to have seen private printing and a numeric keypad on the front panel for punching in a PIN when you're ready to print. We also missed a connector on the front panel for plugging in a USB key to print PDF, JPEG, TIFF, HTML 4.0, GIF, PNG, BMP, PCX, and DCX files.

Maintenance comes in the form of four print cartridges situated on top of the printer, in addition to a 22-digit (5-line backlit) LCD control panel that provides an explanation of job status, errors and consumable levels. Other features of the printer include a maximum monthly print volume of 90000 pages, and the capacity to hold up to 2350 sheets at a time.

You can print on different media including envelopes, labels and paper up to 216gsm thick. Paper sizes supported are accommodating, including A4, A5, B5, LT, GLT, HLT, Executive, F4, LGL13 and LGL14, from 90x140mm to 220x356mm (60 to 216gsm). Optional paper handling includes a 550- or 1100-sheet (two 550-sheet) paper cassettes.

The printer's overall maximum paper input is an impressive 2350 sheets, but a maximum paper output capacity of 250 face-down sheets is disappointing. Connectivity and management features are equally accommodating. In terms of ports, the AcuLaser C4200 includes an IEEE 1284 parallel interface, Hi-Speed USB, and 10/100-Base TX NIC. Network printing protocols supported include TCP/IP, SNMP, HTTP, TELNET, DHCP, BOOTP, APIPA, PING, DDNS, Rendezvous (mDNS), SNTP, SSDP, NetBEUI, SNMP, NetWare and AppleTalk.

Output quality ranged from the high end of good for graphics and photos to the high end of very good for text. Most test fonts were easily readable at 4 points, as long as you stay away from highly stylised fonts at unusually small point sizes. Graphics and photos were generally good enough for client newsletters or handouts, although some graphics showed misregistration, particularly with colour text on a colour background. Graphics and photos showed minimal dithering, however. Photo output was good enough for client newsletters and the like, although not for anything more demanding.

Overall, Epson's AcuLaser C4200DN works with all common operating systems and should integrate easily with your network and applications. It also prints on a wide range of media, has a relatively large paper capacity, and provides automatic duplex printing as standard. The printer is easy to maintain, with reliable and long-lasting consumables, and its graphic LCD control panel gives you all the information you need to get the best from the printer. Faster colour workgroup printers can be had for less, such as Epson's own AcuLaser C2600N, but the AcuLaser C4200DN is a solid, reliable, well supported and capable printer for busy workgroups. It is supported by a 1-year on-site warranty, which can be extended to a 3-year extended on-site warranty. [7]