Quality Laser Printer, $199

Unlike the pricey models aimed at the corporate world, Samsung's latest pint-size monochrome laser printer doesn't require deep pockets. The Samsung ML-1210 delivers pages of crisp, black text, and it costs only $199--making it the least expensive laser on the market and on a par in price with midrange ink jets.

Easy to set up and operate, the ML-1210 attaches to a parallel or USB port, and, with the help of its no-nonsense installer CD, I started printing within seconds. This model also features some handy options. It can condense multiple pages onto one page-- for copies of a presentation that your audience can take home, for example.

You can send print jobs out the front of the unit, avoiding the 180-degree turn into the main output slot, which can wrinkle stiff media or even detach labels inside the paper path. You also can import external files, such as a letterhead, to superimpose on your document. You can't, however, replace the 150-sheet paper tray with a larger one.

The ML-1210 turned in a respectable performance (I looked at a shipping unit), but based on PC World's tests, it's no speed demon. It printed text at 7.1 pages per minute; the fastest home-office laser we've tested--Samsung's ML-6060--hit 9.7 ppm, but it costs about $300. Like the output of most monochrome lasers, the ML-1210's printouts of PC World's standard test photos were dark and slightly dotty, even at its maximum resolution of 600 by 600 dpi. Still, the model handled graphics with fine, narrow lines very well.

With its low price, high-quality text, and ease of use, the ML-1210 provides the right combination for those who want the look of a corporate printer on a home-office budget.

SUMMARY

ML-1210 VALUE: With a small footprint and a small price, the ML-1210 is a great deal for home-office users who want a monochrome laser printer that is easy to set up and simple to use. $199 Samsung www.samsungelectronics.com