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Digital Multifunctional Device
Dry Toner
Electrostatic Imaging
CRITICAL
TEST REPORT©
Digital Multifunctional Device
Digital Multifunctional Device
WORKiO DP-C401
E Elle ec cttr ro os stta attiic c IIm ma ag giin ng g
Vendor Background
October 2003
Panasonic Communications
& Systems Company
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Two Panasonic Way
Secaucus, New Jersey
The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401 is a black-and-white and color digital
(201) 348-7000
copier/printer
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 2 DEVICE OVERVIEW ENGINE SCANNING FEATURES Panasonic Rated Speed ....................22 (color)/40 ppm Color scan-to-file ................................................... Yes* Rated FPOT............................ 10.1 (color)/6.8 seconds Scan-to-e-mail .......................................................... No Resolution.......................................................1,200 dpi Scan-to-FTP-site .................
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 3 IMAGE QUALITY Image-quality samples were produced using a variety of applications. Image quality was measured from images produced using the default automatic settings. Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401 Black Output Color Output Copier Optical Density 1.374 1.418* Copy Resolution - (Minimum line pair reproduced per millimeter 6 lp/mm 4 lp/mm [lp/mm]) Printer Resolution - C Y M K (Horizontal/vertical point lines 3 pt. 4 pt.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 4 NETWORK-PRINTER PRODUCTIVITY IATSD determined printer productivity using its controlled Windows 2000 local area network with a Windows 2000 Professional client. Since printer productivity involves many minor variables (such as network hardware/software throughput efficiency, network-queue polling times, network-server processing power and computer-workstation processing power), the printer-productivity test results below may be
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 5 COPIER PRODUCTIVITY Black-and-white copy jobs were timed from the press of the “Start” button until the complete exit of the copy using a 10-page original, the document feeder and default automatic settings. WORKiO DP-C401 Paper Source/Feed/Output Tray 1/Long-edge/Finisher Advertised Print Speed 40 ppm (black-and-white) Simplex First Copy Out Time 10.1 seconds 1 Set Simplex 19.4 ppm 3 Sets Simplex 27.7 ppm 5 Sets Simple
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 6 Color Versus Black-and-White Productivity Comparison In order to compare the differences in print speed between color and black-and-white output, IATSD made copies of a full-color, 10-page MS PowerPoint presentation with a solid background. Tray 1, which was configured for 8- 1/2” x 11” long-edge feeding, was used as the paper source. Copies were output to the center tray. Black Output Color Output Color/Black & White Differe
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 7 PRINT DRIVERS The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401 is equipped with PCL 6 and Adobe PostScript Level 3 print drivers. Figures 1-2 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s PCL 6 print driver. On the top is the “Paper/Output” (main) tab that contains most programming options. On the bottom is the “User Settings” tab where users can store and recall the print settings used for commonly printed jobs. 2003 • INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, INC.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 8 Figures 3-4 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s PostScript Level 3 print driver. On the top is the “Layout” (main) tab. On the bottom is the “Advanced Options” tab. Note that this is the standard user interface provided with the Adobe PostScript driver development kit. This means that users with previous PostScript experience will be familiar with its use. 2003 • INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, INC.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 9 Print-Driver Discussion The PCL and PostScript print drivers do not have the same user interface. This is a minor disadvantage, as it complicates support and training since users may have to learn how to use two user interfaces. Additionally, the print drivers do not provide bi-directional communication. Instead, users must consult Internet Services in order to see if the device is ready, to view installed paper sizes, etc.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 10 PRINTER-MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Internet Services Internet Services is a Web-based network-printer management solution for administrators. It may be accessed by launching a standard Web browser and entering the printer’s IP address in the address field. Alternately, it may be accessed directly at the computer desktop, without having to launch a Web browser. With Internet Services, administrators may access the device’s embed
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 11 Figure 6 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s Internet Services indicating current paper levels (in percentage), and currently installed paper sizes, types and priority. Figure 7 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s Internet Services, here indicating in percentage the remaining toner in each of the four toner cartridges. 2003 • INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, INC.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 12 Figure 8 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s Internet Services. Above, the administrator may create password-protected electronic mailboxes where scanned files may be stored and retrieved by users Figure 9 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s Internet Services job log indicating the status of various print jobs. 2003 • INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, INC.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 13 Printer-Management Software Discussion Printer-Management Software Discussion: The WORKiO DP-C401 features Internet Services, an exceptionally complete printer Web home page. Internet Services is clearly part of a well-thought-out printer-management and usability strategy. It is not an afterthought, which is the case with many competitors. In order to view device readiness and status, users consult the printer’s Web home p
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 14 NETWORK SCANNING With the WORKiO DP-C401, users can scan using two methods. First, users may either store a scanned job in one of Internet Services’ mailboxes, and then later retrieve the scanned stored document at their desk using Internet Services. Users can save scanned documents in JPEG or TIFF format. Administrators must set up Internet Services’ mailboxes for their different users. Administrators will typically assign
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 15 Network-Scanning Discussion Overall, the Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s network-scanning capability is not as extensive as that of some other systems. The WORKiO DP-C401 provides scan-to-FTP sites and scanning to Internet Services’ mailboxes. Users scan to Internet Services’ mailboxes by either selecting a particular mailbox at the touch screen, or by selecting a pre-configured Job Template at the touch screen. At the desktop,
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 16 CONTROLS & MAINTENANCE WORKiO DP-C401’s control panel. Figure 10 – The Panasonic Figure 11 – The Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s touch screen (main screen). Figure 12 – Additional copier features displayed on the touch screen. 2003 • INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, INC.
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 17 Figure 13 – Various image-quality options displayed on the touch screen. Figure 14 – Job-assembly options displayed on the touch screen. Adding Paper: Adding paper is easy, as it basically involves simply adjusting paper-size guides. Figure 15 – Adjusting one of the unit’s paper drawers. Changing Paper Sizes: Changing paper sizes is simple, as the paper trays are easy to adjust. Additionally, the touch screen auto
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 18 Adding Toner: Adding toner is very easy to perform. It is one of the cleanest (if not the cleanest) toner-addition processes IATSD has evaluated to date. Removing Misfeeds: The short paper path provides minimal misfeed areas with good access as well as detailed instructions so that misfeeds can be easily removed. Overall, the unit provides easy misfeed clearance. Figure 16 – The finisher’s misfeed-access area. Figure
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 19 Figure 18 – Another view of the finisher’s bridge misfeed-access area. Controls and Maintenance Discussion Overall, it’s hard to find fault with either the Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401’s control panel and touch screen, or with the design of its paper trays and the ease of changing supplies. The control panel and touch screen are virtually self-explanatory – both are well-laid out, are not cluttered, and are simple to use. Howev
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IATSD Critical Test Report – Panasonic WORKio DP-C401 Page 20 Competitive Advantages In testing, the Panasonic WORKiO DP-C401 produced excellent black-and-white image quality. The device also produced color image quality that was as good or better than that produced by other workgroup color devices tested to date by IATSD. Efficient printer controller (Power PC), which experienced no difficulty outputting complex color images. The WORKiO DP-C401 is easy to use and maintain; for inst
