Samsung ML-1610

Excluding VAT, the Samsung's 2,000-page replacement cartridge (both contain a 1,000-page starter cartridge at purchase) costs £41, equating to 2.05p per page. The Dell cartridge is £2 cheaper, and so offers a 0.1p saving per page. Clearly, you'll need to print thousands of pages before the savings add up to much, and neither unit can match the Kyocera FS-820 in terms of cost per page (2.05p and 1.95p against 0.87p). But then you'll need to print a lot of pages before you recoup the £61 difference in unit price.

The fuser, pickup and transfer units aren't replaceable, but they have a life expectancy of 50,000 pages each, so this is strictly suited to being a personal unit - there's no built-in networking capability either.

So which to buy? With both units offering similar speed and near-identical running and purchase costs, there doesn't look to be much in it. However, if you buy the Dell 1100 you'll be buying direct from Dell, so if there's a problem with it you'll be able to deal with the manufacturer without the potential hassle of dealing with the retailer first. Dell also makes keeping your printer running easy.

Both printer drivers provide information about how much toner is remaining, but Dell's direct-selling system means that ordering new toner is as simple as clicking on a link in the printer driver. Since Samsung doesn't sell direct to consumers, buying toner for the best price involves much more legwork, while Dell's direct prices are also likely to be competitive and, if not, you can simply source them from elsewhere.

Dell also offers a thoroughly comprehensive recycling program for no extra cost. It may be two pages per minute slower than the Samsung, but if all you need is mono text and simple business graphics the Dell is a cost-effective and more ecologically sound unit.

Author: Dave Stevenson