Function And Form! SAMSUNG SCX-4500 MULTIFUNCTION PRINTER
Nicholas Newman	THURSDAY, 17 JULY 2008

 The new Samsung SCX-4500 multifunction monochrome laser printer is a work of art. Samsung has delivered a device that not only looks good with its cool piano black finish, while not sacrificing on the vital functions - a professional journalist requires.

 The SCX-4500 not only manages to look like a piece of modern contemporary art, but is also able to scan, copy and print, in an all in one space saving device. Unlike other machines on the market, just by its design you would be proud to have it in your office or art gallery.

 However the real test of any device on the market is how well it performs in meeting four basic criteria: 

1.      Is it easy to use?

2.    Is it reliable?

3.     Is it easy to operate?

4.    Is the price right?

Is it easy to use?

 As a professional writer and editor, I need equipment that is easy, logical and simple to use and does not require that I spend ages searching through menus and sub menus before I eventually find what I want.

 I found the Samsung SCX-4500 easy to learn how to use, set up and operate. Samsung has deliberately reduced its control panel to just the bare every day essentials. This means all the functions are self evident, but there is a well written easy to understand manual available on the installation disc, when you need further information. 

The Control Panel consists of just the following touch sensitive buttons Start, Stop/Clear, Scan to PC and three option buttons Copies, Reduce/Enlarge and Darkness. Pressing any of these buttons will ensure that up or down blue lighted indicator arrows will appear in a small dedicated display area, that will indicate how many copies or show how much you are enlarging or reducing a copy. 

To gain access to more advanced maintenance tasks you need to use your computer, where you can check such things as toner levels and gain access to more advance scanning features. 

I tried out the Samsung SCX-4500 in a series of tasks:  

• The first task was making a copy for my records of the some completed forms I had just filled out. The result was it was hard to tell the difference between the original and the copy. The enlarge and reduce function made the fine print on the form clear, crisp and clean, without distortion to the text. What I found useful was you could use the copy function on this device without bothering to switch on the PC. 

• The second task was preparing a dummy version of a magazine I edit. Here I used the SCX-4500 to scan various pictures that readers had sent me, the resultant images that appeared on the computer monitor, whether in colour or black and white were satisfactory. As for printing the dummy version of the magazine, again the Samsung SCX-4500 impressed me.  

Design

This is incredibly sleek and luxurious in its appearance; it consists of a sleek rectangular box, which contains a combined scanning unit and monochrome laser printer. The Samsung SCX-4500 measures an incredible space saving 13” wide, 15”deep and 6.5” tall, and weighs just 19 lbs. The replacement toner cartridge holds sufficient to print 2000 pages. Though what will please most office workers is how quiet this machine is in operation (only 45dB) and in energy efficiency. This makes this machine ideal for operating in such places as libraries or studies where silence is a requirement.

Is it reliable?

 Samsung has a long regarded reputation for producing high quality, well designed and reliable products, and the new Samsung SCX-4500 appears to be following in this long tradition. So far none of my Samsung products that I own has proven unreliable. 

Is the price right? 

The Samsung SCX-4500 is designed for those users who appreciate fine design. It is ideal for architects and designers, who use their offices as a place to conduct business with clients, where having well designed office equipment is all part of their upmarket image, they seek to present to their clients. For them, it means, they no longer have to hide such equipment in a cupboard, but can have it on display. For the target market, at which it is aimed, they will appreciate both its luxurious design and good performance; it is certainly value for money. 

Possible Improvements 

As for further improvements that Samsung should consider:

1.      Producing a colour laser printer version.

2.    Adding a fax function.

3.     Including a simple short easy to read printed leaflet explaining how to get started quickly in using the basic functions. 

Overall, I found the SCX-4500 multifunction monochrome laser printer had met all four of the criteria I set out to test. It’s a very attractive, handy and useful device, unlike many of its rivals in the market. 

Would I recommend it? 

I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates working in good, quiet conditions with well designed equipment. The Samsung SCX-4500 multifunction monochrome laser printer is a rare example where form and function are complementary. 

Marks 8/10

Send Email: #  with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 Oxford Prospect Magazine
Last modified: 08/14/08