Desktop Copiers

Best desktop copiers

We found generally good reviews for the Sharp AL1631 (*Est. $350) digital copier. The Sharp AL1631 is rated to copy up to 16 pages per minute. With a 250-sheet paper capacity and a 30-page automatic document feeder (ADF), the Sharp is speedy for the price, but it can't print automatically on both sides of the paper. Resolution is 600 dpi -- standard for a monochrome copier. It can enlarge copies from 25% to 400%. Monthly duty cycle is 2,000 pages. Though relatively pricey, this particular Sharp copier often has a rebate attached to it, bringing down the total price.

The Sharp AL1631 also has three exposure modes, auto, manual and photo. The automatic exposure scans the original document and adjusts the machine to the best exposure for that document, but you can adjust output by using the manual control. The Sharp can copy up to legal-sized pages. Four owners posting comments to Epinions had good things to say about the Sharp AL1631. Most say that enlarging or reducing the size of the copy and setting contrast to dark or light works well. The automatic shut-off is an energy saver. At Amazon.com many owners of the Sharp AL1631 like its high quality copies, though reviews are mixed overall. Several comment on slow startup times, and some complain that they were unable to get replacement parts from Sharp, even under warranty. Comments for output are uniformly good, however.

If you do need automatic duplexing and collation, the Xerox CopyCentre C20 digital copier (*Est. $1,300) can print on both sides of the page without requiring the user to flip the document over. It is also faster than the Sharp printer, rated for 22 copies per minute up to legal size. There's a larger capacity 50-sheet ADF, plus a 1,200- sheet input tray and a 100-sheet bypass tray. Monthly duty cycle is 20,000 pages. Obviously, this copier is meant for heavier use than the Sharp AL1631. However, it doesn't collate, and we did not find any reviews for this copier.

On the other side of the price spectrum, Canon has two very compact, inexpensive monochrome copiers meant for light duty. Better Buys for Business says that these two Canon personal copiers are the only analog copiers still being manufactured in the low-volume category. That means the copier scans the page for each copy. On the plus side, the Canon PC150 (*Est. $75), which copies up to letter-sized pages, and the Canon PC430 (*Est. $250), which can copy up to legal-sized pages, are very compact, easily fitting on a desk. Some users even carry these around in a messenger bag for copying on the road. On the downside, you can get multifunction products at similar prices, so Better Buys does not see "much benefit in going with Canon at this level of the market."

Both models, however, get good reviews from owners. The PC150 and PC430 both print slowly (up to 4 copies per minute), but there's almost no warm-up time, which owners appreciate. There's a 50-page paper tray, but no automatic document feeder. Auto shut-off saves power. Be aware that the toner and drum cartridge for these printers costs $85 for about a 2,000-page yield, and the copiers only ship with half-capacity starter cartridges.