Samsung ML-1630W

The gloss-black finish popular with many consumer electronics manufacturers isn't widespread in lasers, even in cheaper models aimed at home use. But Samsung's ML-1630W proves that lasers don't have to be boring.

Its low, flat profile and smooth surfaces are more Bang & OIufsen than office printer, and the blue, dot-matrix style display that glows into life when you print something looks fantastic. But it isn't just in the looks department that this printer excels.

Output quality is excellent; only the Brother HL-5340D is better. Photos and graphics showed some banding, but text was crisp and blacks consistently inky and dark.

And in terms of features you get a lot for your money. As well as an Ethernet connection, you can print to the ML-1630W over wireless, which means if you don't have it out on show you can stash it wherever you want.

Elsewhere, it isn't so impressive. Paper handling is this printer's weakest suit. The slim input tray is capable of holding only 100 sheets of A4, and there's no multipurpose tray for feeding in alternative media. The output "tray" isn't very good either, and printouts curl as they drop onto its narrow span.

It's also the most expensive printer to run in this group - after 10,000 pages you'll have spent a whopping £385 exc VAT on it - and in terms of speed it's at the bottom of the class too, although 16ppm is fast enough for most home users' needs.

For these reasons we can't recommend the Samsung - it simply doesn't stack up in the value for money and speed stakes - but its unique approach and wireless connectivity is sure to win it plenty of admirers.

Author: Jonathan Bray