Sharp AR-122 Printer Review
Laser copy machines don't get much simpler, or much smaller, than the Sharp AR-122. Its space-saving design is great for home use, or a very small office, and its speed of 12 copies per minute is quite impressive for the price. The downside is its simplistic design, which could frustrate power users.
The AR-122 occupies a footprint of just 11.6x19.5x18.1 inches, and it weighs just 35.2 pounds, though this doesn't include the Sharp AR-122 toner supplies. This makes it easy to share a desk with, but there are a few compromises for such a compact design.
The control panel, for example, provides only the most basic functionality. Users won't get a full keypad, but instead must select the number of copies with up and down arrows, for example. In fact, the included Sharpdesk software will be the better choice for handling more complex tasks.
The unit supports basic printing and scanning when an optional board is installed, with the printing resolution maxing out at 600x600 dpi, and the scanning resolution at 1200x600 dpi. With the Button Manager software, users can send a scanned document right to a connect PC, which is a very convenient feature, especially when the machine is located far away from the computer.
Despite its small size, the capacity of Sharp AR-122 toner cartridges is quite large, providing around 6,500 pages each. Even better, Sharp AR-122 toner cartridges are inexpensive, keeping the cost per page low. In fact, buyers might spend more for a typical inkjet model than they would on toners for the AR-122.
If buyers can put up with the overly simplified control panel and the need to dip into the software for advanced functions, the AR-122 is a great solution for the home and small office. The low cost per page of Sharp AR-122 toner alone makes it worth consideration for budget-minded shoppers.
