How we test
We tested every printer this month under typical home-office printing conditions. Each one was connected to a desktop PC via a domestic router, using 802.11n wireless where possible.
We put each printer through a batch of speed-related tests. First up was a 20-page text-only document, using the printer’s standard print-quality setting. We then printed the ISO 19798 test document – five pages of coloured text, charts and graphs – again in standard mode. In each case we measured the time taken from hitting the print button to the last page exiting the printer, then calculated a pages-per-minute score.
We also tested the speed of each printer’s built-in scanner, where applicable. We scanned first a greyscale text document at 200ppi, then a full-colour A4 page at 300ppi. You can see all of these results on p91.
To determine the overall quality of each printer, we looked first at the plain black text produced in standard-quality mode. We hoped to see high-contrast letters with sharp edges and perfectly consistent letter forms. We then considered how cleanly each printer was able to produce the coloured text and solid blocks of colour in the ISO test document. Finally, we printed a high-resolution photomontage, using each printer’s highest quality setting but on regular 80gsm copy paper, and examined how well each printer was able to produce natural skin tones and fine colour gradients.
We also consider the breadth of features each printer offers – capabilities such as duplex printing, versatile paper handling and touchscreen controls gained points here. More general issues are considered too, such as the size and appearance of the printer.
Finally there’s value for money to consider. This is in part a reflection of its total cost of ownership, which we calculate on p80. However, the score also takes into account what you get for your money: a dirt-cheap printer is no bargain if it’s slow and produces low-quality prints. Taken together (and rounded up or down where appropriate), all these assessments contribute to the overall score you see for each printer.