Sharp AL-1451 Printer Review
While the Sharp AL-1451 laser copier isn't quite a fully-equipped multifunction device, it does handle copying and printing fairly well, at up to 14 pages per minute. It also has an impressive first copy out time of 9.6 seconds, and low prices on Sharp AL-1451 printer toner can mean a lot of savings. Connection options are very limited, however.
One of the more useful upgrades the AL-1451 has received over other models in its line is the automatic document feeder, holding up to 30 pages at a time for rapid copying. It can also make up to 99 copies from one original. The chassis is compact, at 15x20.4x18.8 inches, and it comes in just a little under 50 pounds, even with the drum and Sharp AL-1451 toner cartridge installed.
The 250-sheet paper cassette is enough for personal use and possibly for a very small office. A single-sheet bypass tray allows for a few pages of alternate media to be used without emptying the entire main tray, a very convenient option.
The main drawbacks include the lack of a USB port, with only a parallel port available, likely requiring an adapter for most users. The machine is also limited to only 600 dpi, so text and graphics quality will be adequate, but photos and very detailed graphics could suffer a bit.
A few strange design choices were made, as users must open both the side and front panels to replace toners, for example. Given the large 6,000-page yield of Sharp AL-1451 toner cartridges, at least this won't be a frequent problem. Buyers worried about high costs can rest easy, as Sharp AL-1451 toner is very affordably priced as well.
The AL-1451 might not have the capacity that some small offices will be looking for, whereas an extra paper tray might have done the trick. For an office of only a few users, and especially for personal use, it is a very affordable device to operate, as long as users can work around its parallel port.