Lanier AC116 Printer Review
Finding the right balance of price, design, and performance for a small-office machine can be challenging. The Lanier AC116 is a multifunction laser printer that can also handle faxing, scanning, and copying, and has a versatile document feeder and paper capacity without being too bulky. Print speeds are up to 16 pages per minute, but Lanier AC116 printer toner can be a bit expensive.
The AC116 takes the same compact design of previous models but adds a little more functionality with a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder which can hold an impressive 50 sheets. The printing resolution is 600 dpi, and even the copying and scanning functions can operate at this resolution as well. The machine measures 17.6x15.2x18.08 inches, and weighs only 29 pounds.
Since it is such a small device, there are a few tradeoffs. The single 250-sheet input tray and single-sheet bypass slot are the only paper handling options, with no upgrades available. The warm-up time of around 21 seconds might also be a bit slow for some users. With a phone headset as the only upgrade option, what you see is what you get.
The single Lanier AC116 toner cartridge is easy to install, but replacement toners can be somewhat expensive. Even when choosing compatible Lanier AC116 toner cartridges for their lower prices, the operating costs for the machine are higher than those of its competitors, so those who expect a high volume of output may want to choose a more cost-effective device.
While it comes with some limitations, and it lacks networking support, the Lanier AC116 is a very capable multifunction device. The combination of a document feeder and flatbed platen make it very flexible, improving on its predecessors. Fast-paced office users should consider the high operating costs before purchasing, however.
