Kyocera Mita FS-1030MFP is a MFP aiming at
home users and small companies. It is a quite compact device with the printing
speed at 30 pages per minute (ppm) and a network port. However, at this price,
these are not very good specs. There is no wireless network connection, and the
version we reviewed does not have automatic document feeder (ADF) or modem fax.
ADF is installed into FS-1030MFP/DP, and is $75 higher, and those who need fax
will have to pay around $720 for FS-1130MFP.
Although it is not the cheapest MFP,
FS-1030MFP is quite cheap to use. Like other Kyocera Mita cameras, this MFP
uses a ceramic photoconductive drum which makes sure of the lasting of more
pages that the printer can print – in this case they are 100 thousands of
pages. As a result, only the toner needs replacing in normal use. The printer
is accompanied by the start unit of 3,600 pages while 7,200-page alternative
toner costs $0.012 per page. There is no likeliness to print more cheaply than
this.
Despite low running cost, it is difficult
to like FS-1030MFP. We do not like the design quality of the first device
model: scanner’s cover appears to be slim while many other panels sound thin
and flexible. The panel on the left side sounds a bit out of tune, with a space
between it and the toner access panel on the left. However, it is easier to
load toner into other Kyocera Mita printers we have reviewed. We also like the
solid feeling of the folded down multi-function paper tray, and the main
cassette which is completely closed – a compeled thing to keep the paper from
dust.
FS-1030MFP is not noisy, but its sound
becomes wearing quickly if you sit near it. It is a good text printer, and
provided clear characters at the speed of 26ppm in our test, but graphic
printout quality was quite bad. Pigments were mixed together, which causes loss
of details, while dark grey tones were in obvious banding. Our PowerPoint
slides were printed with vertical and horizontal bandings, which we had not
seen before.
This MFP creates acceptable photocopies,
and its scanner is very good for an office device. We were especially impressed
with the ability to capture all details from the darkest and brightest of the
test samples, which often obstruct office devices. What a pity, the accompanied
TWAIN interface does not support scanning via network, and only allows us to
choose scan resolution at 200, 300, 400 or 600dpi. There is no auto-marquee
option, and the auto exposure check box did not work in our tests.
Unfortunately, low running cost is not
enough to raise this MFP over its competitors. If it is important to you, we
susgest you spend less and buy ink-jet printer from Epson’s excellent WorkForce
Pro series.
Summary
Verdict. This is an impressive MFP to use, but it sounds rather expensive at
first.
Monochromatic laser MFP. 1,800 x 600dpi printing resolution,
30ppm maximum speed, 600dpi scan resolution, USB interface and 10/100 Ethernet,
366 x 494 x 410mm, two-year warranty
Power consumption. 7W – standby mode, 18W – free, 973 –
on mode
Ratings: 
Price: $520.5
Website: www.morecomputers.com
