Art-ology

The Dell P1500 printer is designed specifically for printing speed. It is the top performer in its class for both text and graphic printing speed. It can print 14 pages per minute, which is 25% faster compared to any other printer under the same category. The $289 price makes it cheaper than most of its counterparts.

Unfortunately, it is a little bit inconsistent when it comes to quality. If your keen on detail, you will be able to notice some spatter and jagged lines. But these are barely noticeable. Overall, the printer can deliver decent text and graphic prints.

Moreover, the device lacks a display screen. If there is a problem, you would need to read the manual to tell what its six lights is trying to tell you. The six lights can indicate anything from cartridge problems to paper jams. The two buttons on the control panel can be used to cancel the ongoing print or resume it.

It has a monthly duty cycle of 15,000 pages, which makes it very attractive for a person with a home office or small business. The Dell P1500 laser printer can deliver up to 600 x 600 dpi resolution. If you are going to use this primarily for photo and graphic printing, the device might disappoint you. Some spattering and jagged lines might ruin the picture.

The printer has a built-in 16MB memory, which you can expand up to 144 MB. It is powered by a 200 MHz processor, which is fast enough for heavy printing. Upgrading the memory is somewhat difficult since it involves opening the main door, removing the toner, and taking out the system board shield. It also requires you to loosen a couple of screws to remove it.

It has an input tray that can hold 400 sheets, which is more than enough for the average user. The auxiliary feed can only handle one envelope at time. This is can be somewhat frustrating, especially if you plan to print a lot of them. The output tray can hold 100 sheets. It also doubles as a feeder for delicate media. We do not recommend using the input tray for labels and sticker since the 180-degree turn might damage them. Leave that to output tray since it is able to provide a straight printing route.

The bundled software is something that Dell needs to fix. It seems a status windows keeping popping up every time you start printing. Getting a notice regarding the how much toner is left every time is very irritating. Unfortunately, there is no way to turn off this feature.

The software also lets you print watermarks. Overlay management is also a feature found in its supplementary application. The depth of the ink can be controlled by choosing from 10 levels of darkness. Features like smoothing and negative page for graphing purposes are also included. You can also choose from a variety styles, like poster and booklet.

Unfortunately, the Dell P1500 printer only supports Windows based computers. It also includes a one-year manufacturer warranty. You also have the option of extending the warranty for a premium price. Keep your printouts looking sharp and crisp by replacing the Dell Laser P1500 printer toner cartridge when needed. Quality and clarity are important traits with Dell toner cartridges. So stock up on cartridges.