Gestetner F270 Printer Review
The Gestetner F270 isn't just a laser fax machine, but it would be difficult to call it a fully-featured multifunction device either. Instead, it is a fairly robust fax machine that also offers decent printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. With a print speed of 17 pages per minute and a fax transmission speed of around 3 seconds a page, it is quite fast, especially for its compact size and low price, and the cost of toners is reasonable, thanks to inexpensive Gestetner F270 printer toner.
Many of the best features of the F270 are geared toward faxing, which is not surprising. It has a battery backup that can last up to 72 hours in the event of a power outage, and it can store up to 400 pages in its internal memory, so incoming faxes won't be missed, even if the unit runs out of paper or jams up. These saved pages can then be printed at a later time.
The printing function of the F270 works quite well, though it is limited to a resolution of 600 dpi. The main limitations show up in copying and scanning, however. With only a 20-sheet automatic document feeder for input, the machine is generally limited to individual sheets of paper, and can't scan books, stapled pages, or other types of media. This isn't a big drawback for such a simple design, but it is worth considering for those who may want more flexibility.
A Toner Save mode is available, which can extend the life of Gestetner F270 toner cartridges by quite a bit, reducing the output quality only slightly. The Gestetner F270 toner cartridges are estimated to last for up to 3,000 pages with normal coverage, and prices are fairly economical.
For buyers who mainly value its faxing capabilities, but want to occasionally print, scan, and copy, the Gestetner F270 is an excellent choice. Its compact design and intuitive control panel make it a good option for home users as well.