Product Reviews

Epson's entry-level Stylus CX3600 multifunction peripheral (MFP) replaces the CX3200 we first reviewed in Labs, Shopper April 2003. The new device's headline figures, including scan and print resolution, remain unchanged, but detailed comparison of the two products' specification reveals plenty of small improvements.

Epson says that print, copy and scan speeds are all faster, and that colour scans have been improved by almost 80 per cent. The CX3600 is smaller and quieter than its predecessor, and at 6.6kg it also weighs less.

The most significant change is a move to four individual ink cartridges. This can reduce costs compared to a two-cartridge system, as you don't

The outgoing CX3200 delivered excellent photo prints using Epson's older dye-based inks, whereas the CX3600 uses DURABrite cartridges and its results in our photo tests were poor. Despite accurate colour balance there was prominent grain, and the pigment inks didn't deliver a convincing gloss finish on Epson's Premium Glossy paper.

Plain paper printing quality was good but print speeds were extremely slow, even for a budget device. Our 50-page document printed at less than three pages per minute, and printing 50 copies of our test letter took a beard-lengthening 33 minutes and 15 seconds.

The CX3600 captured sharp images with accurate colours. Its preview time of 13 seconds was reasonable and it scanned an A4 document at 300dpi in 41 seconds, but its copy speed seems to be governed by its slow printer. At photo quality, A4 copies took over four minutes and looked blurred. The text setting produced acceptable results more quickly, though, with mono copies taking just 40 seconds.

The CX3600 is inexpensive and compact and, for an entry-level MFP, it has a good scanner. Unfortunately its slow printing and copying are of variable quality and reduce its appeal.