For each printer, we asked the vendor to recommend driver and resolution settings that typical customers are expected to use, which in most cases are the default settings. We did not adjust these settings for different applications or print jobs. We also used the same settings for both performance and quality tests. Our objective was to learn how fast and how well each unit prints at the default setting, since users usually don't change the defaults. Bold type denotes first place.
All scores are in pages per minute.
High scores are best. For our performance tests, we employed the automated printer test suite PageSense 2.0, developed by QualityLogic to PC Magazine's specifications. QualityLogic is a Moore Park, California, company that develops automated tests for printers, scanners, fax machines, and other technologies. PageSense 2.0 uses the Rational Visual Test as the programming platform for auto mating the application-based printer testing. The system involves an led-based sensor that detects the pages produced and released by the printer.