If you’re after a compact laser printer, Samsung’s ML-1865W could be just what you’re looking for. It’s absolutely tiny, and the size is all the more impressive given it doesn’t skimp on paper capacity. There’s a 150-sheet input tray in the base and a 150-sheet output, and it isn’t just the size that’s inconspicuous. The minimal black design is attractive too.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty to like. Although it comes with only a 700- page starter cartridge in the box, 1500-page replacement cartridges cost a reasonable $94, meaning running costs are low at just 6.3c per A4 page. Coupled with the initial cost of $106, that makes it a tempting buy for the small office.
And that’s not all. The ML-1865W also manages to cram in Wi-Fi connectivity alongside USB, and setting it up is simple if your router supports WPS. Just tap the WPS button on the printer then the corresponding button on your router, and it’s ready to go.
We weren’t disappointed when we tasked the ML-1865W with our printer speed tests. It managed to match its advertised speed, reaching 18ppm with our A4 ISO document. Print quality, on the other hand, was hit-and-miss. Although text was deep and crisp as you’d expect with a mono laser printer, the ML-1865 didn’t do as well with graphs and images. Even when set to best quality, there were minor issues with banding and speckling. Overall, it’s solid but unspectacular.
Having said that, we do like this compact laser printer. It’s unfussy and stylish, prints documents rapidly, and it offers wireless connectivity for just over $100. It can’t quite supplant our current mono laser favourite, the Brother HL-2270DW, which is faster still and offers better all-round quality and sightly lower running costs, but it comes close.
