lab test - delltions compatibility tests. units are tested for compatibility on windows xp platforms...

A Comprehensive BLI Laboratory Evaluation

© 2007 Buyers Laboratory Inc. WARNING: This material is copyrighted by Buyers Laboratory Inc. and is the sole property of Buyers Laboratory. Duplication of this proprietary report or excerpts from this report, in any manner, whether printed or electronic (including, but not limited to, copying, faxing, scanning or use on a fax-back system), is illegal and strictly forbidden without written permission from Buyers Laboratory. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. To purchase reprints of any BLI reports or articles, contact us at [email protected]. Buyers Laboratory Inc., 20 Railroad Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601 USA.1

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Buyers LaBoratory

Lab Test Report—european edition

December 2007

Manufacturer’s recommended monthly volume: Up to 35,000 impressions.BLI’s recommended monthly volume for optimum performance: Up to 1,000 impressions.More information on the Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer is available through bliQ (www.buyerslab.com/bliQ).

Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer

12 PPM Colour •16 PPM Monochrome

Test duration: Two months, including a 17,500-impression durability test.

BLI reCoMMeNDatIoN

aLso INsIDe

Test Procedures

Certificate ofReliability

Ratings scale: Excellent, Very

Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

Reliability ....................................... ExcellentEase of Setup ..................................Very GoodPrint Drivers ...................................Very GoodApplications Compatibility ................... ExcellentColour Print Quality ................................ GoodBlack Print Quality ............................Very GoodColour Print Productivity ........................... GoodBlack Print Productivity ............................ GoodEase of Use ...................................... ExcellentFeature Set .......................................... GoodToner Yield ........................................... Good

Offering excellent reliability, the A4 Dell Laser 1320c demonstrated a strong overall performance during its 17,500-impression BLI evaluation, completing the two-month test with no service calls and no paper jams recorded, for a flawless reliability performance.

With speeds of 12 ppm in colour and 16 ppm in black, the simplex-only 1320c demonstrated competitive to better than average speeds in most of BLI’s tests. Output produced by the 1320c in the default mode was also good in colour and very good in black. Users can improve the level of colour output using the advanced colour settings in the driver. Based on its admirable performance in BLI's tests—including the unit’s flawless reliability, excellent ease of use and very good economy—BLI highly recommends the 1320c for personal users for up to 1,000 impressions per month.

This report has been reproduced with the written permission of Buyers Laboratory Inc. Any duplication of this report, in whole or part, in any form or manner, without the written permission of Buyers Laboratory, is unlawful and violators will be prosecuted. © 2007 Buyers Laboratory Inc. To purchase reprints, contact BLI at

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LAB

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Dell 1320c

Buyers LaBoratory Lab TesT RePoRT—european edition

STRENGTHS• Highly reliable

• Better than average text and line art in default mode

• Advanced colour settings in the driver allow users to adjust the quality of colour output

• Very easy to setup, use and maintain

• Ships with toner cartridges pre-installed

• Fuser replacement is included with standard and extended warranties

WEAKNESSES• Slight red undertone in skin tones

• Slower than average PDF processing

The Dell 1320c is certified highly reliable by BLI, completing a two-month, 17,500-impression durability test without experiencing a single misfeed and with no service calls required.

The unpacking and setup of the Dell 1320c was very simple. The toner car-tridges are pre-installed; the user simply has to open the side cover of the machine and slide the blue locks on the cartridges into the locked position.

reLIaBILIty eXCeLLeNt

ease oF setuP Very GooD

PerForMaNCe oVerVIew

, — and represent positive, negative and neutral attributes, respectively.


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LAB

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Dell 1320c


The Dell 1320c includes one CD that contains the print drivers and documen-tation.

Setup and installation of the drivers was easy thanks to the auto-install fea-ture, which automatically creates the port and will have users up and run-ning in minutes. The standard installation takes just five clicks of the mouse and installs the GDI driver.

The Dell 1320c includes a GDI print driver for Windows Vista, XP, Server 2003 and 2000 operating systems.

The Dell 1320c driver has a toner-save mode that allows users to save on toner.

The driver has a print job summary feature, which is a graphic that allows the user to view all of the driver selections before the job is spooled to the print queue or printer. This feature allows the user to confirm all of the print selections before printing the job, which could save toner and paper wasted on incorrectly printed documents.

Dell 1320c GDI Driver (U.S. model pictured)

The driver is graphical, well-laid-out and easy to use and includes all of the commonly used selections on the main tab.

The driver offers a good feature set that includes N-up printing (1 to 32),

PrINt DrIVers Very GooD


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Dell 1320c


reduction and enlargement (25% to 400%), collate, booklet printing, a job summary, custom watermarks and the ability to save settings.

No problems were experienced with any of the test files used in the applica-tions compatibility tests. Units are tested for compatibility on Windows XP platforms with Microsoft Word 2000, Microsoft PowerPoint 2000, Microsoft Excel 2000, Adobe PageMaker 7.0, Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Adobe Acrobat 6.0 using 25 application test files, which contain text, graphics, halftone images, tables, etc., enabling BLI technicians to evaluate memory usage, file processing, font rendering and greyscale capability.

Colour Print Quality GooD

Photographic images printed in the default mode were rated Good. Although BLI technicians noted realistic colours, skin tones had a slightly reddish undertone. Business graphics were also Good, with vibrant and eye-catching colours in graphs and charts, though some finer details were lacking.

The driver includes advanced image adjustment features that allow users to modify and enhance the quality of colour output. Selections include colour balance, image correction, brightness and contrast.

PrINt QuaLIty

aPPLICatIoNs CoMPatIBILIty eXCeLLeNt

Advanced colour settings in the driver enable users to enhance the quality of colour output. (U.S. model pictured)


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LAB

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Dell 1320c


Black Print Quality Very GooD

Black output produced by the Dell 1320c in the default mode was very good; text was crisp and cleanly formed, even at 6-point font sizes. Line art was also produced very well; diagonal lines were clean and straight, with no stair-stepping evident. Halftones were visible over a very broad range, with distinct separation between levels.

Solids were rated Good, with average density readings and consistency of toner coverage.

Colour Print Productivity GooD

Overall colour simplex print efficiency is above average when compared to comparable models in this speed range tested to date.

While the first-print time for the JPEG file used in testing is competitive, the first-print times for the PowerPoint and TIFF files are faster than the average for comparable models tested.

When printing from the GDI driver, the 1320c processed BLI’s 19-page colour job stream at 86.7 percent of its rated engine speed, which is above aver-age.

Black Print Productivity GooD

Overall black simplex print efficiency is competitive.

First-print time for the Word file used in testing is competitive with the average for comparable models tested.

— The first-print time for the PDF file used in testing is slower than average.

When printing from the GDI driver, the 1320c processed BLI’s 19-page job stream at 84.0 percent of its rated engine speed, which is above average.

The well-designed test unit also received high marks for ease of use. The GDI driver is loaded by default using the auto-install routine. In addition, specifying job requirements from the well-designed print drivers was easy.

PrINt ProDuCtIVIty

ease oF use eXCeLLeNt


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LAB

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Dell 1320c


The control panel consists of 10 LEDs (Continue button/indicator; Ready/Data indicator; tray 1 indicator; single sheet feeder indicator; cyan, magenta, yellow and black toner indicators; error indicator; and jam indi-cator) and two hard keys (Ready and Continue).

The Dell 1320c offers straightforward procedures for loading paper, remov-ing misfeeds and replacing the print cartridges.

Although the standard memory capacity, at 64 MB, is competitive when com-pared to single-pass printers in this class, some other printers in this class have a higher maximum memory. This will likely not be an issue though, as the Dell 1320c relies on the host PC for job processing.

Although the standard paper capacity, at 250 sheets, is competitive, some other printers in this class have a higher maximum paper capacity.

Network interfacing comes as standard for the 1320c.

The Dell Laser 1320c is ENERGY STAR, RoHS and Blue Angel compliant.

To protect the Dell 1320c from theft, the device can be equipped with an optional Kensington lock.

While the tested yield for the black, cyan and magenta print cartridges is competitive with the average for printers in this class, the tested yield for the yellow cartridge is below average.

Feature set GooD

toNer yIeLD GooD

seCurIty/aCCessIBILIty


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Dell 1320c


suPPortING test Data

Test environment

The product has been tested in BLI’s 929-square-metre test lab, in an environment monitored by a Honeywell Temp/RH chart recorder, which replicates typical office conditions.

Test equipment

Pentium 4 PC with 1 GB of RAM and an 80-GB hard drive, running Windows XP.

Test Duration

Products are tested for two months, a portion of which consists of a durability test during which the product is run at its manufacturer-rated maximum monthly volume, with varying daily test volumes designed to replicate real-world use over an eight-hour workday. This variable schedule includes a mix of various-size documents and a mix of short, moderate and long run lengths, and on/off cycles, throughout the day.

Tested Configuration

Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer base model.

Test Procedures

The test methods and procedures employed by BLI in its lab testing include BLI’s proprietary procedures and industry-standard test procedures. In addition to a number of proprietary test documents, BLI uses an industry standard Katun test original for evaluating black image quality and test suites from Quality Logic to evaluate applications compatibility. In addition to a visual observation, colour print quality is tested using the ANSI standard IT8 Colour Test Target, which is read using the Minolta CM503I Spectrophotometer, and samples are analysed using the CIE XY Chromaticity Diagram. In addition, density of black and colour output is measured using an X-Rite 428 Densitometer.

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Michael DanzigerCEO

Mark LerchCOO

Anthony F. PolifroneManaging Director

Daria M. HoffmanManaging Editor

John DonnellyManaging Director—International

Pete EmoryManager of Laboratory Testing

David SweetnamEuropean Lab and Research Manager

BUyErS LABorAtory [email protected]

BLI International (UK) [email protected]

BLI International [email protected]


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LAB

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Dell 1320c


PMs/Malfunctions Service Required Meter Count (Impressions)

Impressions Between Service

Meter count (beginning of test) 0

End of test period 17,500

Total misfeeds/misfeed rate 0/Not applicable

Total Service Calls 0

Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer Print Driver Features

Features GDI

Auto Feature/Device Detection No

Booklet Printing Yes

Collate Sets Yes

Max Paper Sources Per Job 2

Mirror Image No

Negative Image No

N-up Printing 1 to 32

Overlays No

Paper Gauge No

Print and Hold No

Proof Print No

Quantity Selection 1 to 999

Reduction/Enlargement 25% to 400%

Resolution Modes (dpi) Auto, 600 dpi, 300 dpi, 200 dpi

Save Settings Yes

Secure Print No

Watermarks/Custom Watermarks Yes / Yes

Saturation No

Brightness Yes

Job Summary Yes

Toner Darkness No

Colour Saver No

reLIaBILIty

PrINt DrIVers


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LAB

TEST

Dell 1320c


Send once/print many:The file size sent to the printer from the PC did increase when printing multiple collated sets regardless of whether collate was selected from the Windows print screen within an appli-cation or from within the drivers. Output was properly col-lated.

Colour Print Quality

Business graphics Good

Photographic images Good

Comments:Colour print quality is tested using the ANSI standard IT8 Colour Test Target with print samples taken at the beginning, midpoint and end of the test period. Samples are also taken when any major component on the device is changed. The ANSI IT8 Colour Test Target is read using the Minolta CM503I Spectrophotometer and samples are analysed using the CIE XY Chromaticity Diagram.

Colour Density Readings

Colour Cyan Magenta Yellow

Print Density 1.21 1.16 1.09

Density of a printed image with blocks of all solid colours (based on the average of two readings for each colour).

Black Print Quality

Text Very Good

Line art Very Good

Halftone range Very Good

Halftone fill Very Good

Solids Good

PrINt QuaLIty


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Dell 1320c


Black density:1.26 to 1.31

Density for units in this class tested to date:1.00 to 1.94.

Measurements are based on four readings corresponding to four different solid black locations on the output. The higher the density reading, the darker the image.

Halftone range: Greyscale is clearly visible from the 2% to 98% dot-fill levels, with distinct transitions between levels and consistent toner coverage within levels.

Typical halftone range for colour laser/LED printers:From the 4% to 90% dot-fill levels.

Tested First-Print Times

GDI

Windows 2000 PostScript Word PowerPoint Photoshop Acrobat Photoshop

File Type Text Graphic/Text Graphic Graphic/Text Colour Graphic

File Extension DOC PPT TIF PDF JPG

Pre-Raster File Size 114 KB 99 KB 20 MB 426 KB 245 KB

Post-Raster File Size 172 KB 308 KB 4.60 MB 572 KB 16.44

First-Print Time 19.12 21.61 20.01 18.72 16.44

All files are printed using the Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer GDI driver at the default 600 dpi. First-print time indicates the time it took to RIP, image and deliver the first page of the test document to the output tray.

PrINt ProDuCtIVIty

0 1.00.5

1320c

Print density

21.5

Range for tested units


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LAB

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Dell 1320c


Tested Print speeds

Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer’s rated speed:16 ppm for black; 12 ppm for colour.

overall simplex Print efficiency

Print speed is tested using BLI’s Monochrome Test Original (with 6% page coverage) and BLI’s Colour Test Original with 10% coverage for each colour (cyan, magenta, yellow and black). The test page is printed in a quantity equal to double the vendor’s rated print speed for the device in each mode tested (e.g., if the vendor’s rated print speed is 20 ppm, 40 pages are printed). The Dell 1320c Network Colour Laser Printer’s print speeds were tested at 600 dpi using the GDI driver.

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10.89

11.01

14.90

14.73

Copies per minute

15

ColourMonochrome

20

40

60

80

100%

0

1 Set 5 Sets Overall

82.7 84.194.7 93.670.6 74.5

ColourBlack


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LAB

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Dell 1320c


Job stream evaluationA job stream consisting of nine files (a mix of Word, Excel, HTML, PowerPoint and e-mail) is sent to a paused print queue. All files are monochrome or monochrome and mixed colour and consist of five or fewer pages (total of 19 pages). Timing begins when the queue is released and ends when the last page of the job stream completely exits the device.

Time to completion of all print jobs (GDI): Colour1 minutes, 49.59 seconds, running at 10.4 ppm, which trans-lates to an efficiency rate of 86.7%.

Time to completion of all print jobs (GDI): Mono1 minute, 24.86 seconds, running at 13.4 ppm, which trans-lates to an efficiency rate of 84.0%.

Range for colour printers tested to date:1 minute, 23.84 seconds to 7 minutes, 41.32 seconds.

Problems encountered:None.


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Dell 1320c


Tested Toner Yield (Colour)

ColourNet Weight

(grams) Toner Yield (Impressions) Impressions Per Gram

Black 25.8 2,306 89.37

Cyan 28.6 3,712 129.79

Magenta 22.4 2,749 122.72

Yellow 20.7 1,701 82.17

Tested Toner Yield (5% black)

ColourNet Weight

(grams)Yield

(Impressions)Impressions Per Gram

Black 25.2 2,814 111.6

toNer yIeLD


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the leading independent office products test lab and business consumer advocateBUYERS LABORATORY INC. 20 RAILROAD AVENUE HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 201-488-0404 WWW.BUYERSLAB.COM

Copyright 2007 by Buyers Laboratory. Reproduction without written permission from BLI is illegal and strictly prohibited.

CERTIFICATE OF RELIABILITYAWARDED TO

DELL INC.For the performance of the

Dell 1320cthroughout BLI's in-house durability test.

This is to certify that when subjected to a 17,500-impression Buyers Lab durability test, the Dell1320c

proved to be a highly reliable product.

TESTED

RELIABILITY CERTIFIED

BU

YER

S LABORATO

RY IN

C B

UYER

S LABORATO

RY IN

C

TESTED

RELIABILITY CERTIFIED

®ANTHONY F. POLIFRONEMANAGING DIRECTOR

DATE

December 2007

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT OFFICE PRODUCTS TEST LAB AND BUSINESS CONSUMER ADVOCATEBUYERS LABORATORY INC. • 20 RAILROAD AVENUE • HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 • USA • WWW.BUYERSLAB.COM

Copyright 2007 Buyers Laboratory. This certificate has been reproduced with the written permission of BLI.

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