Customer Reviews

Samsung ML-3471ND Network-Ready Monochrome Laser Printer

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm pleased with the print quality and speed but am finding the printer to be very, very expensive to operate. Even with Samsung's Toner Saver feature turned on, we (a small business) are only getting approximately 5,500 mostly text pages from a 10,000 page cartridge. At first, I thought that we'd been shipped the 4,000 page cartridge by mistake. However, I called Samsung, and they said that such low yields are not uncommon for this printer.

The low yield wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't for the fact that Samsung's cartridges are quite expensive. I wish I could give a better report, but our initial impression is that the ML-3471ND is not a cost-effective printer for a small office environment.

If my operating experience changes, I'll update this review.

I have used Samsung B&W laser printers in my office from the time I started my business 6 years ago. They are workhorses and rarely jam. Samsung packs a reliable, feature-rich package including network capability, automatic duplexing and postscript printing. When a 6 year old printer that I had bought used finally broke down, I replaced it with the ML-3471IND as a personal printer in my office. It's much faster than the original, and I think the print is clearer at the same resolution...

Samsung has improved on an excellent product. Only negative is it comes with a 300 sheet tray, rather than a 500 sheet tray, and can't handle two trays with different types of paper. This is not a problem for me, for I can easily load up to 10-15 sheets or more of letterhead or envelopes, etc. in the multi-function tray. Occasionally crinkles envelopes, but otherwise flawless operation.

The other reason I purchased it was price/value...Samsung seems to make exceptional printers for the money. For some odd reason they are not reviewed in all the major mags, nor are they promoted by all the usual outlets, so they seem to be a well-kept secret. These are durable and high quality that matches or exceeds any printer in its price range.

This printer is fast, easy to use, and it has a nice feature set. Toner use is on par with other laser printers I've used - no matter what brand, you're not going to get the yield advertised on the cartridge. Using this printer on toner save mode around 40% of the time, I get around 3000 sheets from a 10,000 sheet cartridge.

Print quality was great at first but deteriorated quickly. The printer likes to print stripes down the center and edges of the page at random times; auto-cleaning the drum and fuser unit do not help. Other times, there is banding down the sides due to inconsistent ink coverage. Add to that Samsung's absolutely horrendous customer service (good luck getting your printer serviced under warranty), and it doesn't make for a fun ownership experience.

I bought this printer to replace a consumer-level Lexmark with a blown fuser unit. I was attracted to its seemingly good toner usage and high monthly duty cycle. Ignore both - it has some nice features and may be fine for your home or office if print quality are not very important to you, but it does nothing to elevate it above all the other printers on the market in this pricepoint, plus the manufacturer barely supports it, and there are serious print quality issues.

Does a nice 2-sided printing job and little problem.. EXCEPT..
Like a number of other printers by Samsung, the PAPER will not LOAD after about 2 years (if you are lucky). This is because the rubber on the inner roller has worn down.
Samsung says nothing about this in its manual or on the website, which is inexcusable to not tell folks that this is part of maintenance. You will have to open the unit and replace, or turn the band inside out and get more use out of it...