Another convenient AcuLaser CX11NF feature is network scanning. If you set up shared folders on your network, they appear on the Epson control panel so that you can pick which folder will receive your scans.
Faxing is the CX11NF's weakest area. It fails to offer scheduled send, broadcast, fax-forward, or PIN-protect features. And unlike the competing HP Color LaserJet 2840 and the Canon ImageClass MF8170c, this Epson can't send digital faxes. Nor does it let you build a fax address book by entering names on the control panel. Instead, an inconvenient, Windows-only utility can create an address book on your computer; you then upload the address book to the AcuLaser's flash memory.
Speed
The Epson AcuLaser CX11NF's 25-pages-per-minute (ppm) engine zipped through plain black text. When CNET ran benchmarks over a USB connection, the AcuLaser churned out text at 18.4ppm--almost five pages faster than the comparable Oki C5510n. This Epson also printed grayscale pages at an impressive 19.1ppm--nearly six pages faster than the Oki. However, performance on color printing dropped off, likely due to the engine's multipass design. Still, the AcuLaser beat the Canon ImageClass MF8170c and the HP Color LaserJet 2840. Fortunately, unlike many other carousel-based printers, the CX11NF is mostly free of annoying clank and rattle as it cycles through the colors. It made black photocopies at a workgroup-friendly 5.2ppm.
Because the CX11NF uses a multipass engine, color pages pass through the imaging components four times--once for each color--so color printing takes longer than grayscale printing. According to Epson's figures, a page of black text uses 1.9 cents' worth of supplies, and a color page uses 10.1 cents' worth; throw in the other consumables for an estimated 3.1 cents per black page and 12.9 cents for color, which ranks on the average to high end for a color laser printer.
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Quality
Some aspects of the Epson AcuLaser CX11NF's prints disappointed us, particularly the grayish look of its plain black text, which was blurry at small sizes. Color text looked clean but low contrast. Color graphics retained sharp detail and accurate color, which makes us think the CX11NF would better fit offices that intend to print more graphics than business letters. The AcuLaser's scan quality bested that of its prints; scans of color photos had nice shading and sharp detail, while the detailed grayscale scans preserved a wide range of shades. Photocopies preserved good detail and smooth textures, though they tended to lose lighter shades; color copies looked oversaturated and too dark but would suffice for internal use.
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The Epson AcuLaser CX11NF provides industry-average support with a one-year onsite warranty. Live tech support for the duration of the warranty is available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, but you pay toll telephone charges. Epson also provides free support by e-mail. By comparison, the Canon ImageClass MF8170c, the HP Color LaserJet 2840, and the Oki C5510n offer 24/7 toll-free support. However, Canon's warranty includes onsite service. Unfortunately, Epson doesn't offer an optional warranty extension. You can replace most of the components that wear out periodically, but replacing any of the four developers (specified to last 100,000 pages) requires a service call, which can add up to $60 to the $164 price tag. The Epson AcuLaser CX11NF ships with three printed manuals: a clear, thorough setup guide, a wide-ranging but shallow user guide, and a manual that covers the fax features well. The company's Web site provides a place to e-mail tech support and download the manuals and the drivers.
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