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Oki Data C5100N Color LED Printer (Okidata-62418601)

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At a Glance
A color laser
Windows compatible
Print speeds can be inflated

Performance
Print quality: text/color graphics	Outstanding/Fair
Speed	Good
Rated speeds	20 ppm monochrome; 12 ppm color
Tested speeds	9.9 ppm text; 4.9 ppm graphics
Ease of use	Good
Toner cost per color page: PC World Test Center created a test page approximating a typical business presentation, which consisted of a spreadsheet and a couple of bar charts; percentages of toner coverage were not calculated.	15 cents
Page yield with one set of toner cartridges: Number of prints of PC World's test document. Vendors estimate cost per page based on printing a document with 5 percent coverage per toner. PC World did not calculate toner coverage on its test document. Page-yield test results did not contribute to overall score.	2881
Cost per set of toner cartridges	$443
Features	Fair
Maximum true resolution: True resolution is the maximun resolution achieved without enhancements, such as algorithms; it applies to both monochrome and color.	1200-by-600-dpi color and monochrome
Maximum resolution	1200-by-600-dpi color and monochrome
Maximum paper size	8.5 by 14 inches
Standard input capacity	400 pages input, 2 trays
Paper feed options	Straight-through paper path, manual feed slot
RAM: Standard/Maximum	32/288
Interfaces	Parallel, ethernet, USB 2.0
Drivers included	Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 Pro, Windows XP
Supplies included in the box	Black toner, color toner
Size (width/depth/height) and weight	16.6 by 20.7 by 13.6 inches; 57.3 pounds
Other features	Not applicable
Support policy score	Outstanding
Support policies	One-year warranty and on-site service; 24-hour daily toll-free support

What You Should Know about the C5100N Color LED Printer (Okidata-62418601)

This is a color laser

Color laser printers like this one are becoming the standard choice for businesses. In general, they offer the fastest way to print color output--if not always the best way: they manage pie charts, logos, and simple graphics just fine, but they tend to struggle at producing smooth, natural-looking photos.

Color Lasers print by using a laser and rotating mirrors to beam an image indirectly onto a photoconducting drum; attracting toner to that image; and then melting the toner at high temperature to transfer the image to paper. Each of the four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) has its own drum. A multi-pass color laser runs the paper through each color in turn, which makes the printer slower. A single-pass color laser runs the paper through all four colors in succession, which tends to make the printer faster.

Reviewed by: Nbrodeur

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Crisp, accurate color; fast printing;

Weaknesses: starter print toners only good for 1,500 copies.

Overall Evaluation: I now have used this printer for six months and I am still in love with it. While the starter toner does not last long, I still saved money compared to my inkjet. My clients noticed the change in my reports and infact comment on them. I have no regrets and would do it all over again.
Reviewed by: Angela2000

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Fast, efficient, user friendly, quiet - must for small busiensses.

Weaknesses: The image drums and printer cartridges cost more than ink jet cartridges but if you shop around (hint, come back to PriceGrabber.com to get your supplies)you can find some excellent prices for toner.

Overall Evaluation: I bought my first Oki Data C5100n July (2003), after doing extensive research on laser printers and coveting the quality a laser printer can provide. I was using 3 Lexmark inkjets to cover my color printing work load and making several trips each week (sometimes twice a day) to the office store to have them do parts of my printing at .06 cents a sheet for black and white copies only. While at the office supply store I was buying at least two, sometimes four printer cartridges a day for the Lexmark ink jets (when I didn't have time to refill the cartridges myself...and what a nightmare and waste of time to do-it-yourself eh?)So after spending over $3000 one month for printing, cartridges, ink etc. the Oki Data became a no-brainer. I'm the biggest skeptic when it comes to purchasing electronics online and especially something as fragile as a printer. But the prices were good, and the warranty eased my skepticism - and the Oki Data C5100n kept coming back as a "rock solid choice" in my research. So I bought it from Provantage, one of the companies listed regularly on PriceGrabber.com. Wow! My printer arrived within a day or two after ordering it and it was packed perfectly to protect the shipment. The machine was easy to set up with exacting instructions that even a fool like me could execute. The machine networked easily with my 3 home office computers with the option of networking through USB or Ethernet connection. I was thrilled with the quality of the print and even more thrilled that the ink didn't bleed if the paper got wet. Hooray! The printer has worked like a horse, replacing toner cartridges and image drums 5 times since the original purchase. In six months I've spent (including the printer) $1,518. for what would have cost me on the inkjet, run-to-the-office supply store route $19,000. If you are thinking about purchasing this machine and you do a good deal of printing - wait no longer. Your search is over. PS. I've just increased my printing work load and came back to Price Grabber to buy a 2nd Oki Data C5100n. Am I a savvy shopper or what?