Samsung CLP 325W
Hard work setting up! - Samsung CLP 325W Laser Printer

Product Type: Samsung printers

Newest Review: ... first time. Sadly, the next day, the wireless would no longer connect. I contacted Samsung who sent a list of instructions, and after mu... more

Hard work setting up!
Samsung CLP 325W

clockface

Member Name: clockface

Product:

Samsung CLP 325W

Date: 25/10/11

Rating:

Advantages: Very cheap for what it is

Disadvantages: An absolute pain to set up

I have mixed feelings about this product. Samsung are one of the few manufacturers which make a wireless colour laser printer, and one which is at an affordable price. I'd previously had an HP MFP Colour Laser, but the toners had got so expensive, it was cheaper to replace the machine itself.

In a nutshell, the Samsung CLP-325W works wirelessly through your router. It's only function is either b/w or colour laser printing (i.e. no scanner etc.). I purchased it on Amazon for about £150, and as there was a cashback offer, Samsung sent me £50 which in the end made it very cheap. It comes pre-loaded with toner, though I think that these have probably been sitting about for a long time.

The machine boasts a plug-and-go setup procedure. This is far from the case. In total, it took me over a month to get it fully up and running wirelessly. The instructions which come with it are very sparse. They give instructions on the basis that everyone has the same router and wireless setup which simply isn't the case. I have to say that initially, it worked first time. Sadly, the next day, the wireless would no longer connect. I contacted Samsung who sent a list of instructions, and after much fiddling with router and internet settings, it worked again. 10 days later, the wireless connection cut out again. More instructions from Samsung, and once again, up and running. Fingers crossed, I haven't had any trouble since...

The print quality seems poor, but that may well be because I'm using a multi-purpose paper rather than laser paper which is seems to require. When first switching it on in the morning, it takes about 5 minutes to settle down and connect to the wireless, but after that, it stays on until you switch the machine off again. Once up and running, it prints quickly. It currently prints from 3 different laptops on three floors of the house (printer on the middle floor) without problem.

Overall, once up and running, it's a decent machine. The promise of a plug-and-use setup is nonsense (unless you have the same internet setup as them presumably!). I was all for sending it back, but credit to Samsung they did promtly explain how to rectify the various problems. I've knocked off two stars as the setup procedure overall was ridiculous and time-consuming!

Summary: Once running, it's a good printer.

Processing/Quality:    Processing/Quality
Reliability:    Reliability
Ease of use:    Ease of use
Speed:    Speed
Variety of features:    Variety of features
Print quality:    Print quality