Sharp AL-1020 Toner Cartridges

Sharp AL-1020 Printer Review

The Sharp AL-1020 has a similar configuration to the AL-1010 and other models in its line, with the addition of a 50-sheet automatic document feeder for faster laser copying. Despite the little bit of extra bulk, it is still a good solution for desktop copying in a small office, and it still benefits from similarly affordable prices for Sharp AL-1020 printer toner supplies.

The AL-1020 has a pretty small footprint considering its solid performance of 10 copies per minute, measuring 31.9x18.8 inches. It is a bit on the heavy side for a personal or small office model, with a weight of 47.4 pounds, with the drum and Sharp AL-1020 toner cartridge included. This means you might need a bit of help moving the unit, and the manufacturer recommends removing toners before moving.

Paper handling is also quite solid, with a main drawer of up to 250 sheets and a bypass tray that can handle a single sheet at a time, perfect for things like letterhead and transparencies. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder is the true highlight, allowing users to copy much more efficiently, but a 10x14-inch flatbed platen is still included for staple media, books, and other materials that might not work with the feeder.

For such a compact machine, the 6,000-page yield of Sharp AL-1020 toner cartridges is particularly impressive. At small office volumes, this might mean that users only replace the Sharp AL-1020 toner supplies a few times per year, and the cost per page will be very low throughout the life of the machine.

With multifunction devices as its main competition, the Sharp AL-1020 will likely only appeal to buyers who do a fair amount of copying and want a low-cost, dedicated solution. It won't handle other functions like printing and scanning, but it will provide affordable copying for many years to come.