Sharp AL-1010 Printer Review
For basic monochrome laser copying, it is hard to beat the price and compact design of the Sharp AL-1010. It may not supply as many advanced features of a larger machine, but its adequate speeds of 10 pages per minute, simple operation, and affordable Sharp AL-1010 toner supplies make it appealing for personal use.
The AL-1010 may not have the fastest maximum speeds in its category, but it is very quick to respond to a new task, with a first copy out time of 9.6 seconds, and up to 99 copies can be made from an original. Features like an automatic exposure control help to take some of the guesswork out of making high-quality copies, and the zoom range is 50 to 200% in 1% increments.
The unit itself is only 11.5x20.4x17.5 inches in sizes, and weighs 39.7 pounds, even with the drum and Sharp AL-1010 printer toner included, so it is an easy fit on most desktop surfaces. The main paper tray holds up to 250 sheets, while a bypass tray is also available for alternate media like transparencies. While it has no automatic document feeder, the flatbed scanning surface is able to accommodate original paper sizes up to 10x14 inches, and print on media up to 8.5x14 inches in size.
Toners are easy to install by opening the side panel and then the front access panel, but with a page yield of up to 6,000 pages for each Sharp AL-1010 toner cartridge, it won't have to be done too frequently. Prices for Sharp AL-1010 toner cartridges are also very affordable, giving users a low cost per page, and the included Toner Save mode can reduce the usage of supplies.
For a small office of a few users, the Sharp AL-1010 could be an ideal solution for affordable copying. Its first copy out time and maximum speed are adequate for low-volume use, and supplies are inexpensive.