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Samsung ML-2851ND

*Est. $105

Reviewed

November 2011

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Excellent print quality
Good speed and paper handling
Low cost per page
Small and lightweight

Cons

Mediocre photo and graphics quality
Limited features

Where to Buy

for $599.89

Our Analysis
Specs
70 Amazon Reviews

Reviewers say the Samsung ML-2851ND is a great value among black-and-white laser printers for PCs and Macs, offering excellent print quality for text, standard duplex printing (both sides of a page) and speeds competitive with printers costing much more. Reviewers say that graphics and photo quality are less impressive but still as good as can be expected from a mono laser printer. Cost per page is estimated at about 2 cents, which is lower than many other printers, and prints made with toner-saving print options are reportedly indistinguishable from other modes. The Samsung ML-2851ND has a comparatively high maximum duty of 50,000 pages per month. User reviews are mostly positive and back up reviewers' claims about this model's speed and print quality. However, the printer lacks wireless networking, and some reviewers find it light on features.

PCMag.com tests speed and font sizes on the Samsung ML-2851ND, saying it outperforms other previous Editors' Choice winners. We found good coverage at CNET as well, where the ML-2851ND was clocked at about 21 pages per minute for graphics and text. Hundreds of user reviews at Newegg.com and TestFreaks.com are generally positive.

Where To Buy

Samsung ML-2851ND Network-Ready Monochrome Laser Printer
(70 reviews) Buy new: $329.99 10 Used & new from $345.00

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

PCMag.com reviews many printers, although ratings are at the time of the review, not in comparison with more recent models. The Samsung ML-2851ND gets an Editors' Choice designation, and reviewer M. David Stone calls it a "bargain" for the money. He recommends it for personal use or small offices.

Review: Samsung ML-2851ND, M. David Stone, July 1, 2008

2. CNET

CNET's laser printer reviews are satisfactorily comparative, but focus primarily on features, and design and speed. Justin Yu positions the ML-2851ND well in relation to other printers, and he says that speed and text quality are where this printer shines. The average user reviews match Yu's rating.

Review: Samsung ML-2851ND, Justin Yu, May 12, 2008

3. About.com

Most of the single-product reviews here are for multifunction machines and color lasers, but there are a few monochrome printer reviews. The reviews themselves are not dated. Site guide Peter Piazza gives the Samsung ML-2851 high marks for speed and text quality, but he finds it lacking in features. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Samsung ML-2851 Laser Printer, Peter Piazza, As of Nov. 2011

4. NewEgg.com

More than 100 owner reviews give the Samsung ML-2851ND a high average rating, with more than 50 percent scoring it the maximum 5 stars, and many giving it 4 out of 5. Most of the complaints concern heat and noise, and some owners report trouble finding toner replacements.

Review: Samsung ML-2851ND, Contributors to Newegg.com, As of Nov. 2011

5. TestFreaks.com

TestFreaks.com compiles reviews from users and professional review sites, and ranks products within brands and categories. The Samsung ML-2851ND scores well with experts, and very well with consumers. However, owner reviews are not always very specific, and owner ratings on the scale of 10 sometimes seem unjustifiably low or high.

Review: Reviews for Samsung ML-2851ND, Editors of TestFreaks.com, As of Nov. 2011

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