Panasonic KX-P6300

This slightly less-well endowed brother to the Panasonic KX-P6500 offers 600dpi « 600dpi quality from a 6ppm engine, but without as many features. The KX-P6300 has status LEDs at one end and is designed to be placed vertically, like a mini-tower PC. Consequently, the overall footprint requirements are minimal. A 100-sheet capacity input tray folds down from the side, while a smaller 50-sheet capacity output panel is fitted to the top with a support panel that slides out.

The same proprietary printer driver as that used for the KX-P6100 and KX-P6500 is provided, but with a number of features unavailable for selection. The KX-P6300 doesn't utilise Panasonic's EET (edge enhancement technology) for smoothing out jagged edges on text, nor does it support a toner-saving mode. A standby mode will send the printer into a power-saving snooze after 15 minutes of inactivity, but the time itself can't be modified. Using Panasonic's own Print Manager utility gives access to duplex printing and reversing the order of print, but this will slow speed down markedly. We found using this utility reduced the output speed to 4ppm-5ppm. A PCL4 emulation mode can be used for printing from DOS applications in Windows. It comes with 256Kb of memory fitted that can be upgraded to 1.25Mb using a proprietary module.

Panasonic takes a different approach to toner replacement. The print process unit is designed to be refilled from a bottle with enough toner for 2,000 sheets. The unit is easily accessed from behind the large side panel, allowing the new bottle to be slotted into place for refilling. The process unit has a duty cycle of around 12,000 pages at five per cent coverage. Paper handling is particularly good, and it has no trouble with weights up to 160g/m2. Noise levels are higher than most printers, which could be annoying if the printer is positioned nearby.

Print speeds for the KX-P6300 are remarkably good for such a cheap model. Although the quoted 6ppm was only delivered for long text-only print runs, it still achieved a top-four rating in all our speed tests, even though it dropped to around 4ppm with the more complex DTP and Report tests. Print quality is extremely good, with clear graphics and pin-sharp text. At under £200, the KX-P6300 really is a bargain.

Author: labs