Samsung SCX-4720 Printer Review
The Samsung SCX-4720 is a multifunction monochrome laser printer designed for the small to medium office environment with affordable Samsung toner cartridge costs. Its multifunction features are well-implemented, but competing units offer more for the price.
The SCX-4720 has the ability to print, scan, copy, and fax all built in. Though the unit is monochrome for printing and copying, the scanner is capable of scanning in color. In fact, the scanning engine is quite good, and it is possible to scan at up to 4800 dpi resolution in 24-bit color. Scanning can be done with either the flatbed scanner or the automatic document feeder, which holds up to 50 pages. This allows for easy archiving of paper documents into digital formats. Scans can also be sent to a networked computer, a thumb drive, or by email.
In addition to the standard multifunction features, the SCX-4720 also features wired or wireless networking as optional add-ons, allowing users to connect through ethernet or wirelessly to the device. Most of the features of the unit are available wirelessly, although not all of them. Another unexpected feature is a front-mounted USB port which allows users to plug in a USB thumb drive and print documents directly from the drive, or scan documents directly onto the drive. This is a very convenient feature that can really be a lifesaver when network connection problems are preventing printing or scanning over the network.
The SCX-4720 exceeds expectations of print quality for a multifunction device. Many multifunction devices tend to sacrifice print quality somewhat as a tradeoff for other functionality. This is not the case with the SCX-4720. Prints are sharp and dark, especially text. Graphics and photo printing are also some of the best available in a monochrome laser printer. Print speeds are fast, at around 16 pages per minute.
Overall, the Samsung SCX-4720 offers a wide array of multifunction features, and manages to squeeze in some additional bonuses, such as support for USB thumb drives. For some users the features may not justify its high price.
