Kyocera FS-9000DN

Installation on a NetWare 5 network proved to be straightforward, but EcoLINK's management features didn't impress. Although queue objects can be created and assigned, it doesn't allow management of users or printing privileges, and there's no way of monitoring statistics or keeping an eye on consumables. Load up a Web browser and you can access the printer's internal HTTP server over TCP/IP, but this doesn't add any further features. Kyocera's Print Monitor software provides additional remote information configuration and can be set up to send out alarms when problems are spotted, but even this won't show the status of consumables.

Other than that, the FS-9000DN looks to be one of Kyocera's best printers to date. It's fast, comes with a good specification, is well built and offers the lowest printing costs around at just under half a penny per page. But despite all of this, it fails to topple the DocuPrint N40 from top position. Although there's little to split the two where price is concerned, the DocuPrint N40 is faster, offers better output quality, features Adobe PostScript Level 3 emulation as standard and comes with a far more sophisticated set of network management tools.

Author: Dave Mitchell