Finding an affordable laser multifunction device for a SOHO environment has become much easier in the past few years. . . unless you've been looking for one in the under-$200 range. That's been nearly impossible. Samsung, however, has given those looking for laser performance on a truly tight budget some hope with its SCX-4200 unit. The SCX-4200 delivers no above-average features, and it has no fax function, but that extremely low price is tempting.

The SCX-4200's print function delivers standard laser resolution of 600x600 dpi, and it runs adequately in draft mode, up to a speed of 19 pages per minute. Print quality is average in draft mode and is pretty good in best mode. You cannot make full color prints with the SCX-4200; that's one sacrifice you must make to obtain laser quality black prints.

This unit's copier function runs at speeds up to 19 cpm in draft mode, and the quality of copies is about average in both best and draft mode. One below average copier feature is in the SCX-4200's reduction and enlargement capabilities, which range from 50 to 200 percent. The SCX-4200's scanner runs at an adequate 600x2400 dpi optical scan resolution, and it seems to work quickly. This device can scan in color or black.

SCX-4200 users have reported a variety of potential problems, including problems with paper jams and with the unit inadvertently pulling extra sheets of paper from the tray. Using high-quality paper seems to fix these problems. Macintosh users also have reported some problems with making the SCX-4200 drivers work properly. However, the problems seem to be intermittent, and we could not duplicate them.

Busy offices probably will want to spend a bit more money to gain more power and features from their laser multifunction device. But for who absolutely need laser quality while saving a lot of money up front, the SCX-4200 is a nice option.


Pros: Feature list is adequate, good value, laser-print quality
Cons: No above-average features, some paper-loading problems, Mac users may experience problems, no fax function

Warranty
1-year limited