How we test.... multifunction peripherals

Specifications give you an idea of an MFP’s print and scan abilities, but if you want to know how they work together to produce copies and faxes there’s no substitute for hands-on testing. Because multifunction peripherals (MFPs) have such a large range of functions, they are one of the most demanding products to test: Computer Shopper runs a total of 16 timed tests to properly assess a fully-featured colour MFP.

The six scores we print with each review (see below) give an overview of an MFP’s printing costs, and its speed on everyday print and scan jobs. However, we run our full suite of print and scan tests to help us fully understand an MFP’s strengths and weaknesses in each area.

Furthermore, to test copy performance we make timed mono and colour copies of an A4 document placed on the scanner’s glass. We use the default settings provided they result in a reasonable quality copy. If an MFP has an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), we also time how long it takes to make an unattended mono copy of a 10-page document. If the MFP has a fax modem, we time how long it takes to send a two-page fax across our internal phone network.

Mono costs

WHAT IT DOES: This figure indicates how much you can expect each page of black text to cost, including VAT. We search the internet to find the lowest price for the manufacturer’s own brand toner or cartridges. Wherever there is a choice we choose high-yield supplies, which cost more but print more pages, making them better value. If the printer has other consumables, we search for their lowest price too.

We find the manufacturer’s figures for how many pages each consumable will last. For toners, this is usually calculated using the ISO/IEC 19752 yield-testing methodology which uses a black text and graphics pattern that covers five percent of the page. We divide the cost of each consumable by how many pages it will last, adding the figures together to give a total cost per page in pence. Bear in mind that the cost of consumables fluctuates, so this cost may change slightly within a few months of our original review.

Colour costs

SETTINGS: Manufacturer’s yield figures where available, colour MFPs only

WHAT IT DOES: This figure indicates how much you can expect each page of colour text and graphics to cost, including VAT. We search the internet to find the lowest price for the manufacturer’s own brand colour toners or cartridges. Wherever there is a choice we choose high-yield supplies, which cost more but print more pages, making them better value. If the printer has other consumables, we search for their lowest price too.

We find the manufacturer’s figures for how many pages each consumable will last when printing colour pages. For toners, this is usually calculated using the ISO/IEC 19752 yield-testing methodology which uses a text and graphics pattern that covers five percent of the page. We divide the cost of each consumable by how many pages it will last, adding the figures together to give a total cost per page in pence.

Our colour costs include cyan, magenta and yellow totalling 15 percent colour coverage per page: we publish a separate mono costs figure, so we don’t include black in the colour costs. Bear in mind that the cost of consumables fluctuates, so this price may change slightly within a few months of our original review.

Draft speed

WHAT IT DOES: This test is designed to show just how fast you can expect each MFP to produce black text. We print an Acrobat PDF file that contains 50 A4 pages of Alice In Wonderland, timing from the moment we submit the print job until the last page has finished printing. We include the time taken for spooling, as some print drivers prepare the job quicker than others.

This test is conducted at a printer’s Draft setting, provided the results are solid and legible. Where this isn’t the case, we increase the print quality and repeat the test. If a printer has automatic duplex (double-sided) printing, we repeat the test in duplex mode

Print speed through the looking glass

Normal speed

WHAT IT DOES: This test aims to show how quickly a printer can produce pages of text and graphics at a presentable quality. We print an Acrobat PDF file that contains 24 colour pages of mixed web content, PowerPoint slides and high-resolution magazine pages. We time from Åòthe moment the job is submitted until the last page has finished printing. We include the time taken for spooling, as some print drivers prepare the job quicker than others. The result is expressed as pages per minute.

This test is typically conducted at a printer’s default settings, provided the results are solid and free from excessive banding or other problems. Where this isn’t the case, we increase the print quality and repeat the test.

A set of graphics-rich pages really tests a printer’s abilities.

Photo speed

WHAT IT DOES: Not all colour MFPs excel at photos, but some do. We test each printer’s photo performance by printing six 6x4" photos onto three sheets of plain A4 paper.

We time the test, which is performed at the maximum available print quality. Any advanced options that improve print quality are turned on. The results are expressed as pictures per minute.

We examine the quality of the results with the naked eye and also under magnification.

Our 6x4" photo test shows how quickly a colour MFP can print photos.

Scan speed

WHAT IT DOES: This test shows how many A4 scans an MFP can make in a minute. We perform the test with the scanner’s lamp already warm from previous previews and scan tests. We use a higher resolution than most scanners’ 150dpi default to make the test a little more taxing. This test typically produces an image file of around 25MB, so it can highlight a slow interface too.

Test bed

Intel Pentium M 1.6GHz notebook
1GB DDR RAM

Reference scores

Mono Laser MFP
Mono costs 2p
Draft speed 25ppm
Normal speed 20ppm
Scan speed 3 scans per minute

Colour MFP
Mono costs 6p
Colour costs 8p
Draft speed 15ppm
Normal speed 2ppm
Photo speed 1 photo per minute
Scan speed 3 scans per minute