Editor's Review by Mel Meyers 10/28/2010
Kyocera FS-1028MFP
OVERVIEW:
A major upgrade from their FS-1016MFP, the Copystar/Kyocera-Mita FS-1028MFP offers faster speeds with expansion for paper and memory. In a single desktop package you get monochrome laser printing, copying, and color scanning. With a built-in duplexer for 2-sided printing, the network-ready Copystar prints 1200 x 1200 dpi at speeds up to 30 monochrome pages per minute.
Editor's Pros & Cons
PROS:
Starting at 33 pounds with a 19.4” x 16.1” footprint, the FS-1028MFP multifunction can sit on a desk, but adding the additional paper trays will make this multi-function a little too tall for any overhanging shelves. But sitting the Copystar on a table or credenza will give more than enough clearance to use its automatic document feeder and the right height for making copies and scans without having to stoop.
The control panel on the former Kyocera model gives a person full control of copy and scanning features without the need to install special software on their computer. The panel consists of a LCD display, a 10-key pad for copies, and the traditional buttons and indicator LEDs for printing.
After a 20 second warm-up, in less than 7 seconds the FS-1028MFP starts printing at speeds up to 30 single-sided pages per minute and 15 two-sided pages per minute. With a maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, the FS-1028MFP is great for monochrome printing of small fonts and detailed graphics. The built-in duplexer gives you the flexibility of 2-sided printing. Understanding business needs, the printer comes with PCL6 and PostScript3.
The MFP uses an 8½” x 14” platen to support scanning up to legal size single documents and books. Up to 999 monochrome copies can be made with the FS-1028MFP at 30 pages per second. The copy function has three different exposure modes & resolutions up to 1200 x 1200 dpi to handle text to photo reproduction. The magnification can be automatically or manually changed from 25% to 400% in 1% increments or 12 presets.
Originals can be scanned in color from resolutions ranging from 100 to 1200 dpi. Scans can be saved in the popular JPEG, TIFF, PDF, XPS, or sent directly back to the computer, USB stick, or e-mailed.
This Copystar has a single cassette paper tray for holding up to 250 legal-size sheets. Non-standard sizes materials such as envelopes and transparencies up to 8½” x 14” are loaded into the 50-sheet multi-purpose flip tray. Up to two additional 250-sheet trays can be stacked to the FS-1028MFP to max its total capacity to 800 sheets.
The FS-1028MFP can be either connected directly to a computer through its USB 2.0 port or over the network via 10/100BaseTX Ethernet. Starting with the 256MB memory, increasing to 768MB, the printer can more than handle additional workloads of a large department or classroom.
CONS:
In spite of the pictures shown of the FS-1028MFP, this model does not come standard with an ADF. You can either buy it as an accessory, or you can buy the FS-1028MFP/DP model instead.
In spite of the fact that most business now accept correspondence by e-mail, for various reasons some institutions (mostly the financial ones) still require certain forms and contacts to be faxed instead of just accepting an e-mail with the scanned document attached. If Copystar added a facsimile mode, this would be the perfect all-in-one for any office or home business.
While the FS-1028MFP does have the ability to increase paper capacity, it is only using 250-sheet trays. Since paper typically comes in a ream, having paper tray that can hold 500-sheets would be a better option for businesses that go through a lot of paper.
INK & TONER
DRUM(s)
