Kyocera FS-1020D

The Kyocera FS-1020D may not be the prettiest printer around, but it is quite straightforward to use, with only two buttons and three LEDs on the front panel. Most of the printer's functions and controls are handled through the driver software.

Although Kyocera claims that it will print at 20ppm (pages per minute), the FS-1020D only managed an unremarkable 9.11ppm for text pages. It is more than redeemed by the strikingly low cost per page. Kyocera quotes toner cassette life at 7,200 pages. With cassettes costing £58.79 inc VAT, that's just 0.008p per page.

Impressively, for the price, the FS-1020D has a duplex printer built in. It comes with a 250-sheet paper tray (expandable with another 250-sheet tray), 50-sheet multi-tray, parallel and USB2 interfaces. The build quality is not hugely impressive and, while the printer is fairly sturdy and won't come apart in your hands, the paper trays and flap openings are flimsy compared with rival products.

It is a small unit and, although it's not very attractive to look at, it's not heavy or particularly bulky and it will blend in unobtrusively among other PC gear. The supplied CD includes the drivers and electronic versions of the printed manual and installation guide. The driver is simple and well laid out, making it easy to access the printer's functions. Overall, it's a capable unit with interesting features. The initial outlay is considerably more expensive than rival products, which may be offputting. However, with duplex printing and low running costs the FS-1020D will work out cheaper in the long run. For a printer this is what's really important.

Contact: Kyocera
www.kyocera.co.uk

Specifications:

• 300 sheets from two input trays
• 20ppm mono
• 1,200dpi
• 16MB of Ram (expandable to 272MB)
• Parallel/USB2 interfaces
• 10.5kg including toner
• 378 x 375 x 235mm
• Options: paper feeder, cabinet, memory, serial interface, network cards

Price details:
RRP: £286.70 (£244 ex VAT)
Toner: £58.79 (£49.99 ex VAT)