When considering the KM-1820 laser desktop copier from Kyocera, don't let the unit's large starting price fool you; by shopping around, you can probably find the KM-1820 for about half of the MSRP. Even if you find a bargain, though, this model is still very expensive for most SOHO customers. Unless you need top-shelf copying functions in a very busy office, the KM-1820 probably is going to be overkill.

The KM-1820 works quickly, running at a top speed of 18 ppm. Unlike many less expensive desktop copiers and multifunction devices, the KM-1820 can make copies at close to its top speed even when running in "Best" mode. You'll have to wait 20 seconds for the unit to warm up after pressing the power button, which is an average performance.

This unit is a monochrome laser machine, meaning it creates very sharp laser copies, using a standard top resolution for laser devices of 600x600 dpi. The downside of most laser devices (including the KM-1820) is they cannot print in full color.

As you might expect in a high-priced desktop copier, the KM-1820 offers several high-end features. With the correct cables and software, you even can use this unit as a makeshift printer or over a network (thanks to the unit's built-in Ethernet connector). This unit includes a 250-sheet primary paper tray along with a 50-sheet secondary tray for specialty copy jobs. The KM-1820's 50-sheet automatic document feeder is very handy for multi-page copy jobs. The system includes 96MB of memory, and you can easily add more.

This copier is definitely a workhorse; the manufacturer says this unit can handle a monthly workload of up to 15,000 pages. Although it has some extremely good features, the KM-1820 is going to offer more power than most SOHO users need. Before spending several hundred dollars or more on this desktop copier, make sure you'll be able to use it to its fullest.


Pros: Very powerful copier, great speed, workhorse unit, sharp output, good "extra" features
Cons: Very high starting price, more power than most SOHO users need, warm-up time could be shorter

Warranty
1-year limited