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BuyersLab.com
BUYERS LAB
BUYERS LABSeptember 2015 A Comprehensive BLI Laboratory Evaluation
The Samsung MultiXpress X7600GX delivered exceptional reliability over the course of BLI’s grueling 330,000-impression/33,000-scan durability test, with just one misfeed and no service calls required. This combined with its outstanding scan productivity and very good print productivity, particularly in color mode, means the device can be counted on to get the job done faster than many competitive devices. The X7600GX also produces professional-looking output, especially in black print mode, earning BLI’s highest rating in the majority of categories tested. Helping to further maximize uptime, the device offers numerous time-saving conveniences, such as a choice of three different copy interfaces along with the rarely seen abilities to scan documents even when there is a misfeed and to access the control panel while originals are being scanned. The easy-to-navigate feedback and web utilities offer more advanced functionality than many competitors; the feedback utility is the first in the market to offer Twitter alerts. Although its suggested retail price is high, it still offers a good value given its strong overall performance and very good feature set. Taking all of these factors into consideration, BLI highly recommends the Samsung MultiXpress X7600GX for environments with monthly volumes of 23,000 impressions.
Test duration: Two months, including a 330,000-impression and 33,000-scan durability test.
Maximum monthly duty cycle: 330,000 impressions.
The maximum monthly duty cycle is the maximum volume, as specified by the vendor, that the unit is capable of producing in a month; however, it isn’t recommended that it be run at this volume on a regular basis.
Average optimum monthly volume for devices in this speed range: 23,000 impressions
Based on a survey conducted by BLI. When comparing models, note that this lower optimum volume was instituted in May 2012. Optimum monthly volumes for models tested prior to May 2012 may differ.
The gauges above represent Excellent (9–10), Very Good (7–8.5), Good (4–6.5), Fair (1.5–3.5) and Poor (0–1).
Please visit buyerslab.com/bliQ for more information on the Samsung MultiXpress X7600GX.
Strengths• Reduce downtime thanks to exceptional reliability, and scan and color print productivity, along with above
average productivity performance in numerous additional areas • Enhance productivity even further with device warm-up starting as soon as print jobs are programmed
(rather than sent)• Produce top-quality photographic images, text and line art in print mode, as well as a full grayscale range in
both print and copy modes• Choose and switch easily between three different copy interfaces, and customize the control panel• Save time with the abilities to scan during a misfeed, access the display while originals are being scanned
and scan to multiple destinations types simultaneously, including USB • Review jobs on the fly and reference an accurate graphic of the device within the print drivers• Get highly detailed information from the feedback utility and web utility, both of which offer above average
ease of use and functionality • Increase value proposition with a strong feature set
Weaknesses• High suggested retail price• Unintuitive processes for scan preview and selecting LDAP destinations at the control panel• Busy regular Copy menu can be confusing to users• Inadequate guidance provided for misfeed removal • Very limited job build functionality (for both copy and scan) and users cannot modify jobs in the job
queue, not even quantity• Error and warning icons on the taskbar can be easily overlooked and do not provide detailed information • PostScript driver must be installed separately from Samsung’s website
• Accessibility function was difficult to use
Buyers Laboratory LLC • North America • Europe • Asia
Test duration 330,000 impressions and 33,000 scansOutput/Scan misfeeds 1Misfeed rate Not applicableService calls 0
Consumables Rated Yield | Competitive Average
USER-REPLACEABLE
Black toner 45,000 45,400
Color toner 30,000 29,750
In most cases, replacement of developer and photoconductor is handled under a service contract. The manufacturer doesn’t set a PM interval for this unit.
Ease of Use
EASE OF USE—PRINT
• Graphic of device included in the driver perfectly represents device settings and configuration
• Detailed list of all currently selected functions is available on most tabs and enables on-the-fly job review via the ability to eliminate selections as you go
• Eco tab depicts percentage of energy consumption savings based on current settings and allows environmentally-friendly selections to be set as defaults
• Settings of secure print jobs are programmable only from the driver and cannot be changed at the device
• Username and filename are visible in secure queue before identification and filename is visible in the main queue upon release
Driver Navigation
GENERAL
Standard drivers PCL (PostScript must be downloaded separately from com-pany website)
Similarity of appearance Similar (no Eco tab, point-and-click paper source or consum-ables status in PostScript driver)
Commonly used features on main tab Duplex (by default; Favorites tab is the main tab and users can add more features to it)
Point-and-click for input/output source Yes (must first navigate to Device menu on the right side of most print driver tabs)
Job review Yes (list view)
Job status No
Error prevention/guidance Incompatible settings aren’t selectable and users are prompted to correct settings to avoid mistakes*
CUSTOMIZATION
Number of features that can be added to main tab Open (doesn’t specify)
Order of tabs can be rearranged No
Customize an entire tab No
CLICK TESTS
Number to program typical print job (multiple sets, with duplex and stapling, from the second drawer) 10
Number to program booklet print job (multiple sets, from the second drawer) 11
* In addition, when a user hovers their mouse over each ghosted out selection, a message that details exactly what needs to be done in order to allow these functions to be selectable appears.
Conveniently, the Favorites tab is the main tab of the driver. This tab includes seven preprogrammed one-touch selections for commonly used combinations of features including last used setting, to allow for the setting of the last job programmed to run again; normal; eco preview; double sided; 2-1 printing; booklet; and secure print. At any time, from any of the tabs in the driver, users can add a favorite based on currently selected functions. Each favorite added can be named, a description can be added, and an icon can be created to represent it. Each user can have his or her own favorites. While this is convenient, BLI technicians would prefer if the Basic tab was the main tab and if more commonly used features (such as quantity) were available on that tab.
On the right side of most tabs of the print driver are the Paper menu, which provides a list of all currently selected functions, and the Device menu, which includes a device graphic for point-and-click paper selection.
The Paper menu, which is the default menu, provides a list of all currently selected functions. Conveniently, the menu enables on-the-fly job review; users can easily eliminate selections by pressing the “X” box. Users must navigate to the Device menu to locate the device graphic; unlike with many competitive models, BLI technicians found that the device graphic perfectly represented the device’s settings.
PCL Driver FeaturesBanner pages No
Blank-page removal Yes
Booklet print Yes
Saddle-stitch finishing without imposition layer No
Carbon-copy mode No
Collate Yes
Color modes Auto color
Cover mode Yes (front/back)
Sources supported Tray 2 or bypass only
Dedicated tab for “green” features Yes
Available features 2-up, toner save, duplex, skip blank pages, grayscale or black mode, CO2, paper, toner, calculates savings
Delayed/Scheduled print No
Display device configuration Yes
Duplex print by default No
Envelope mode Yes
Sources supported Tray 2 and manual feed tray
Exception page-range printing Yes
Mixplex Yes
Sub-set finishing No
Graphical changes Yes
Max paper sources per job 5
N-up printing 2 to 16
Overlay Yes
Paper gauge Yes
Accuracy confirmed Yes
Poster mode Yes (up to 4 x 4)
Supports print all text as black Yes
Print and hold Yes
Print onto tab extensions No
Priority levels supported No
Proof/Sample print Yes
Quantity Up to 9,999
Reduction/Enlargement 10% to 400%
Resolution (dpi) Standard Resolution and High Resolution
The Eco tab allows users to see the paper and energy savings they can achieve by selecting more environmentally responsible settings for their jobs. The driver depicts the percentage of savings in energy consumption, CO2 and paper. To enforce/encourage more environmentally responsible printing throughout the organization, duplex printing, skip blank pages and toner-save mode can be set as default settings in the driver. Additional driver features include secure watermark, job encryption, brightness, contrast, saturation, independent CMY/RGB adjustments, and a link to Samsung’s website and to purchase toner.
Secure Print
RELEASE
Process Intuitive
Where jobs are accessed Job Status/Secure Print
During print/scan/copy job Yes/No
Number of keystrokes to release one job 5
Output multiple jobs/sets at once with same PIN Yes
FEATURES
Change quantity No
Change simplex/duplex No
Select paper size and source No
Apply corner stapling No
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Username visible in secure queue before user identification Yes
Filename visible in secure queue before user identification Yes
Filename visible in main queue upon release Yes
Secure print jobs can only be deleted with a PIN Yes
In addition to a password, a username is also required in order to retrieve secure print jobs, which adds another layer of security. Username defaults to the workstation name, but can be changed.
Release multiple PIN-protected PDFs with a single PIN No
The labelling for the USB print function is not clear. Once a USB drive is inserted into the device, a menu appears with two options, Box, which refers to printing, and Send, which refers to scanning. When printing from USB, users can select options such as hole punch, staple and paper source via a dropdown menu located in the upper right corner of screen, but this menu can be easily overlooked.
Direct Printing
Source Embedded web server
Formats supported PDF, JPEG, TIFF, XPS, SPDS
Output multiple jobs/sets at once No
Change quantity Yes
Change simplex/duplex Yes
Change color/mono Yes
Select paper size and source No
Blank-page removal No
Apply corner stapling No
Create profiles No
For security purposes, direct printing is disabled by default. But the function can easily be enabled by an administrator via the security settings.
• Simple scanning from the desktop with Easy Document Creator, which lets users view scanned im-ages before sending them, convert files to e-Book format and send faxes
• Scan preview is oddly named “Play” and is easy to overlook, and users must press an additional icon, which is also easy to overlook, to view full-screen preview
• Unintuitive process for selecting destinations via LDAP at the control panel; users cannot select more than one LDAP destination at a time on the fly
• Job build function is difficult to find and very limited in functionality
Display
KEYS
Layout QWERTY
Comfortably spaced Yes
Ease of entering data Moderately easy
Stylus can be utilized No
FEATURES
CC/BCC Yes (appear after “to” is entered)
Dedicated “@” and “.” keys on main screen Yes
Ability to store extensions (.com, .net) No (.com is built in; others cannot be added)
Typical domains (@gmail.com, ) as a one-touch key No
Programmable default domain No
Number of programmable domains Not applicable
Number of short messages that can be stored 0 (can only enter one message on the fly)
Stylus provided No
Keyboard No (on screen)
In order to input numbers when entering an email address, a separate numbers/symbols key must be pressed; users have to switch back and forth between this screen and the alphabetic screen. Some vendors provide numbers and letters on the same screen, which allows for more fluid entry of email addresses.
Scan Features
GENERAL
Commonly used features on main screenColor Mode (programmable from main screen); Resolution, Format, Compact PDF, Duplex, Preview (programmable from submenus)
Number of types supported in one session 5 (Email, SMB, USB, I-fax, FTP, Box)
Create subfolders for storing files on the hard drive Yes
Network folder browsing Yes
Thumbnail view of selected features Yes
Background suppression Yes
Color-dropout mode No
Blank-page removal Yes
Duplex Yes
Long document support (minimum of 28") No
Embed URL in email No
Scan while out of paper Yes
PREVIEW
Automatic No
Ability to view more than just one page Yes
Navigation of pages Swipe
Enlarge view Yes
Onscreen editing (masking) No*
Move pages No
Page rotation Yes
Page deletion Yes
Page replacement No
* However, onscreen edits other than masking can be performed.
Overall, the Scan and Send interface was found to be easy to use. A pull-down menu clearly identifies each function on the screen, and users simply tap on each choice to pull up the options. “Virtual” hard keys supported from the Scan and Send interface include reset, stop current operation and start job.
Scan preview mode can easily go unnoticed by an operator, as it is oddly named “Play.” BLI technicians noted a bit of a delay when many pages were being scanned. In order to view a full-screen preview of the pages, users must click on a square icon that appears on the lower right corner next to the thumbnail, which is also easy to overlook. BLI technicians would much prefer to not have to press an additional key for full-screen preview and for this to be automatic.
Though jobs can’t be auto-split by file size, they can be split by number of pages; for example, if ten documents are loaded into the document feeder and the user chooses to have the pages split into single documents, each document will be scanned as a separate file.
Similarities between scan to email and scan to USB features Same
Commonly used features on main screenColor mode (programmable from main screen); Resolution, Format, Compact PDF, Duplex, Preview (programmable from submenus)
The scan to USB function is located in the same menu as Scan and Send, unlike with some competitors who have separate interfaces for scan and scan to USB functions. As with regular scan mode, although jobs cannot be auto-split by file size, they can be split by number of pages and preview mode is easy to overlook.
LDAP/Local Address Book
Intuitive LDAP search No
Number of LDAP servers 5
Multiple destinations can be selected during a single search No
LDAP addresses can be stored to the local address book after retrieval Yes
Manually entered addresses can be stored to the local address book Yes
Users, not just administrators, can program destinations Yes
Store multi-destination types into a one-touch address book entry No
Favorites list available Yes
BLI technicians observed that selecting destinations via LDAP at the control panel is not intuitive. The contacts icon to begin the selection of LDAP addresses is small and not easily identifiable, and several unnecessary steps and clicks are required. To search LDAP
addresses at the control panel, users must tap the contacts icon next to the address box, select the address book, select Server, and then select the text box before typing in the name to be searched. This multistep process is confusing to users.
And unlike with most other systems, users cannot select more than one LDAP destination at a time on the fly; this results in a more than average number of keystrokes required to scan to multiple destinations (20 to two destinations), whereas most other systems require only one additional button press for each additional destination.
Job Build for Scanning
Mix pages from platen and DF No
Mix various paper sizes Yes
Mixplex changes between batches No
Image quality changes between batches No
The job build function is difficult to find and supports only the ability to add pages beyond the capacity of the document feeder.
EASE OF USE—COPY
• Users have a choice between three different copy interfaces, which they can easily switch be-tween
• Personalized customization of the control panel is available via the Apps menu and UI Configura-tion tool
• Busy regular Copy interface
• Very limited job build functionality and unintuitive proof copy function
The device’s 10.1" Android-based control panel is made up entirely of touch-keys, with no hard keys.
Users interact with the device in much the same way they would when using a smartphone or tablet; tap to select menus, tap and hold apps and widgets at the control panel to move them or delete them, and swipe to scroll through menus and screens. Users unfamiliar with an Android-based system might find the control panel confusing to work with initially.
The control panel can be tilted up and down freely. “Virtual” hard keys are available for Reset, Interrupt, Start and Stop. Icons allow users to go to the Home screen, or go back to the last page they were working in. The display also features an icon that takes users to a history page in which recently visited pages and functions can be scrolled through and selected. A Help touch key is available and although the help provided is not dynamic in that it doesn’t relate to the currently selected feature, it does provide a very detailed guideline to all of the device’s functions and capabilities.
While users can easily wake the device by touching the interface or placing a document in the document feeder, if a document is inadvertently left in the document feeder from a previous user and a second user wakes up the machine, it will automatically make a copy if users press in the area of the start key or quick copy key.
Display for Copying
TOUCHSCREEN/LCD
Dimension (diagonal) 10.1"
Color Yes
Default brightness Bright
Method of adjusting brightness Select the time in the top right corner of the screen, pull down and a slide bar appears (not intuitive)
NAVIGATION
Typical interface for manufacturer No (new)
Default screen Home
Commonly used features programmable from main screenQuantity, Paper Size, Duplex, Orientation (regular Copy screen); Quantity, Duplex, Orientation, Stapling (Quick Copy screen)
Easy access when switching from main copy screen to an alternative screen Yes
On-the-fly change between screens Yes
Ease of programming jobs from the main screen Non-intuitive (regular Copy)
Ease of programming jobs from an alternate screen Intuitive (Quick Copy)
Keys/Buttons labeled with text and icons Yes
Clarity of labeling Easily understandable
Slide/Swipe navigation Yes
Paper/Toner status On main screen*
CUSTOMIZATION
Only administrators can customize Yes
Customized on a user-by-user basis Yes (via My Page app)
Any screen can be customized No (just scan and copy)
Order of features can be rearranged Yes
Submenu features can be moved to main screen No
Number of one-touch programs 20
Ease of creating saved programs Intuitive
CLICK TESTS
Number to program typical job from main copy screen (multiple sets, with duplex, reduction and stapling) 10
Number to program the same job from alternative screen 6 (Quick Copy)
Number to program booklet job from main screen (multiple sets, from the second drawer) 6
*However, as with adjusting brightness, users must select the time in the top right corner of the screen and pull down to view toner status; this is not intuitive as most walk-up users would not think to do this.
Toner status can also be viewed in the Settings menu by navigating to Supplies Life, or in the Apps menu, which is accessible from the Home screen. A device graphic on Home screen indicates the amount of paper in the drawers in 25% increments.
Three different copy interfaces are available: a one-touch copy button, Quick Copy menu and Copy menu, and users can switch between any of the three with ease. The one-touch copy button allows users to change only quantity before the job is output. This is useful for environments in which most copy jobs do not require any additional settings, allowing users to copy their jobs quickly.
The Quick Copy interface was found to be highly intuitive, as it offers one-touch buttons for the most commonly used features used for copy jobs.
The Copy interface offers the same basic capabilities of the Quick Copy interface, along with more advanced capabilities, including poster mode, image repeat, watermark, stamp, overlay, erase edge, image shift, image adjustment, background adjustment, mirror image and covers.
Both the Quick Copy and Copy interfaces provide a graphical review of current job settings, as well as a history of most recently selected job settings. In part because of the many features included on it, the Copy interface was found to be a bit busy. Although the labelling of some functions is not consistent with the industry-standard terminology typically used in other brands of copier MFPs, the selections are very easy to understand —for example, rather than 1:1, 1:2 and 2:2, users select one-sided or two-sided for both the original and the output. Administrators can change the order of the keys with the UI Configuration tool, accessible via a dropdown menu from the upper right corner of the Copy screen.
When programming any kind of job (including scan), users can store one-touch programs (settings for frequently jobs) by navigating to a drop-down menu in the upper right corner of the screen they’re in. From the menu, they select “Add to My Programs” and name the program. These programs are accessible from the Programs tab under the Apps menu and can be stored on the Home screen for easy selection.
The Apps menu is also where users would access software solutions compatible with Samsung’s eXtensible Open Architecture (XOA) platform, as well as widgets that allow users to adjust settings and initiate jobs. Personalized customization of the panel is available via the My Page app; here, users can store personal profile information, and well as customized device settings that are available once a user is logged into the device. In addition, a usage menu details how many copy, print fax and send jobs a logged-in user has performed, as well as how close the user is to his or her usage quotas.
While a proof copy touch key is available, the process for selecting it is rather unintuitive. When a quantity greater than one is selected, a proof copy selection appears in the upper left corner of the display. But users must tap on the proof copy selection, then press start, whereas many competing models will run off a proof copy immediately following the selection of a proof copy key.
• Users can scan during misfeeds and access the display while originals are being scanned—both capabilities are rarely supported
• Users can scan to multiple destination types simultaneously including to USB, which is also very rare
• Users can program an unlimited number of copy jobs while other copy or print jobs are in progress
Capabilities
Print jobs accepted by the device Based on resources
Secure print job can be released while a print job is output Yes
Able to send files to multiple destination types Yes (including to USB)
Access to display blocked for scan/copy jobs while scanning originals No
Slowdown in scanning during a print job Yes (only when preview enabled)
Scan during a misfeed Yes
Copy reserves Based on resources
Settings auto-clear when programming ahead the next scan or copy job No
Default priority mode First-in, first-out
Other priority modesAdministrators can change the priority level of different device functions over a 16-level range
Prioritization of print jobs prior to submission No
Settings can be cleared easily by pressing the Reset button on the right side of the screen. Settings can also be cleared by tapping the Back button, while tapping the Home button will retain the settings of the previous copy job. Although it’s convenient that functions can be given a priority level, BLI technicians believe the process should be simplified by offering a narrower range of selections.
Interrupt Mode
Identical for a print or copy job Yes
Device continues to run interrupted job while the next job is programmed Yes
Auto-resumes interrupted job after how long Immediately
• Web utility provides detailed information on supplies, including approximate number of impressions left until transfer belt, ITB cleaner, fuser and rollers need to be replaced
• Email alerts to an unlimited number of email addresses can be set up via the web utility
• Error and warning icons on the taskbar can be easily overlooked and do not provide precise details about the problem
UTILITY
Name and version number Easy Printer Manager 1.05
Range of conditions covered in pop-up messages
Average (not many by default, but users can enable additional pop-ups for jams, low toner, etc.)
Pop-ups appear in one window Yes
Print job completion notification Yes
Print job deletion notification Yes
Distinct color changes to icon Not applicable
Link to embedded web server Yes
CONSUMABLES STATUS
In feedback utility/embedded web server/fleet management utility All
Driver Link to feedback utility
STATUS IN EMBEDDED WEB SERVER
Paper size Icon
Paper 1% increments
Indicator Gauge
Toner 1% increments
Indicator Gauge
Drum 1% increments
Waste toner container None
Staple cartridge None
Fuser None
ALERTS
email Configured through embedded web server and Easy Printer Manager
Conditions covered Consumables shortage, system errors (paper low, paper empty, paper jam, cover open)
Maximum number of recipients Unlimited
Different alerts for different users/groups Yes
The feedback utility, Easy Printer Manager, is bundled with the unit. The utility provides a link to the web utility, as well as a troubleshooting guide, which includes instructions and animations on how to replace toner, for example. The icon on the taskbar changes to an orange “X” to indicate error conditions regarding device status, and to a yellow “X” to indicate warning conditions. However, the small icon can be easily overlooked and indicates only that there is a problem, not precise details.
• Above average job stream performance from the PCL driver in color mode
• Among the most productive of the competitive group when printing single and multiple color sets
• Among the most productive of the group when printing single and multiple black duplex sets
• Most productive device in the group when printing booklets
• Recovery times and first-print times for Excel, PowerPoint and PDF documents are among the fastest of the group
• Device warms up as soon as print jobs are programmed (rather than once the job is sent, as with most competitive devices), which can save time
The X7600GX was a solid overall performer when it came to print productivity, standing out in a number of areas of testing when printing various kinds of jobs. It delivered a particularly impressive showing in color mode, where it earned BLI’s highest rating in almost all of the categories tested. Importantly, the device proved it was up to the challenge of meeting the demands of typical office environments during busy periods of the day, given its job stream performance from the PCL driver, a test which simulates this type of real-world print traffic. Further, the model warms up once a user begins to program a job, rather than once a job is sent from the user’s PC (as is the case with most competitors), which can be a time-saving convenience, as users can always expect the device to be ready to print once they walk up to it.
SHORT-RUN JOBS
Recovery Times | Competitive Average
Energy Save 14.00 17.80
Daytime Sleep 17.60 25.99
Recovery time in seconds indicates the time it took to warm up, process, RIP the image and deliver a single-page test document to the output tray. The unit was tested with the PCL driver.
First-Print Times by File Type | Competitive Average
Format Type Time in Seconds
Word DOC Black text 6.42 9.32
Excel XLS Color graphic/text 7.76 10.78
PowerPoint PPT Color graphic/text 7.75 12.64
Acrobat PDF Black graphic/text 6.53 9.30
First-print time indicates the time it took to RIP the image and deliver the first page of the test document set to the output tray. The unit was
Single-Set Print Productivity (10-Page File) | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
AUTO COLOR
1:1 32.8 27.3 54.6 48.0
1:2 26.7 22.1 44.5 38.9
BLACK
1:1 32.0 32.2 53.4 54.3
1:2 28.8 24.6 48.0 41.5
Productivity is tested using a 10-page mixed-color-and-black document and a 10-page black document. Efficiency (percent of rated speed) for each mode is derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100. The unit was tested using the PCL driver.
Single-Set Print Productivity (3-Page File) | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
Auto Color 1:2 10.7 10.0 17.9 17.8
Productivity is tested using a 3-page mixed-color-and-black document. Efficiency (percent of rated speed) is derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100. The unit was tested using the PCL driver.
Job Stream | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
PCL
Auto Color 40.2 34.2 67.0 59.9
Black 43.1 42.1 71.9 71.1
BLI’s job stream includes Word documents, Outlook email messages, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, HTML and Acrobat PDF files, totaling 19 pages. This test simulates the type of traffic a typical device might experience in a real-world, multiuser environment. All files are sent to the device as a group, at which time the stopwatch begins; timing ends when the last page of the last file exits the device. Efficiency is determined by the percentage of the rated speed at which the device operates when producing real-world jobs. The closer the rate is to 100%, or if it exceeds 100%, the more efficient the device.
Average Multi-Set Print Productivity | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
AUTO COLOR
1:1 45.1 39.3 75.2 68.9
1:2 42.7 36.4 71.2 63.8
BLACK
1:1 45.8 44.6 76.4 75.1
1:2 44.1 40.1 73.5 67.4
Productivity is tested using a 10-page mixed-color-and-black document and a 10-page black document. BLI obtains the overall efficiency (percent of rated speed) for each mode by averaging the efficiency ratings (derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100) for each run length (one, five and ten sets). The unit was tested using the PCL driver.
Average Booklet Print Productivity | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
Auto Color 50.6 39.4 84.3 69.7
Black 50.0 42.2 83.3 70.4
Productivity is tested by having the device fold, saddle-stitch and output 10 sets of a 16-page PDF file. BLI obtains the efficiency (percent of rated speed) for each mode by averaging the efficiency ratings (derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100). The closer the rate is to 100%, or if it exceeds 100%, the more efficient the device. The unit was tested using the PCL driver.
SCAN PRODUCTIVITY
• Fast scan speeds in every mode tested; duplex speeds are significantly faster than average
• Small compressed color file sizes
The X7600GX proved to be an excellent choice for scan-intensive environments, with fast scan speeds in every mode tested, especially duplex. Although no compression is offered in black mode, default black file size is smaller than the average default size of the competitive group and color file size, which is more important (as color files are much more likely to impede the sending and storing of files), is smaller than average.
Scan Speed in IPM | Competitive Average
FULL COLOR
1:1 74.2 62.67
2:2 146.7 85.1
BLACK
1:1 73.5 64.8
2:2 146.7 89.89
Testing is conducted with a 10-page file scanned in default mode at 300 dpi in PDF format.
Testing is conducted with a single-page file scanned at 300 dpi in PDF format.
COPY PRODUCTIVITY
• More productive than average when copying multiple color sets in 1:1 mode
The X7600GX gave a competitive performance in the majority of copy productivity tests, but stood out in 1:1 color mode when copying multiple sets, as well as when copying booklets. All in all, the unit proved it can be counted on to meet the copying demands of a typical office environment.
Single-Set Copy Productivity | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
AUTO COLOR
1:1 27.5 20.7 68.9 53.5
1:2 17.3 15.5 43.2 40.3
2:2 24.7 20.6 61.7 53.2
BLACK
1:1 34.1 37.4 56.8 63.4
1:2 25.6 26.0 42.6 43.8
2:2 36.0 34.0 60.1 57.2
Productivity is tested using a 10-page mixed-color-and-black document and a 10-page black document. Efficiency (percent of rated speed) for each mode is derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100.
LONG-RUN JOBS
Average Multi-Set Copy Productivity | Competitive Average
SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
AUTO COLOR
1:1 44.4 38.5 74.0 67.7
1:2 37.2 34.1 62.0 59.7
2:2 44.7 40.2 74.4 70.5
BLACK
1:1 46.4 47.3 77.2 79.7
1:2 42.1 40.8 70.1 68.6
2:2 48.6 45.9 80.9 77.0
Productivity is tested using a 10-page mixed-color-and-black document and a 10-page black document. BLI obtains the overall efficiency (percent of rated speed) for each mode by averaging the efficiency ratings (derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100) for each run length (one, five and ten sets).
Average Booklet Copy Productivity | Competitive Average
MODE SPEED IN PPM PERCENT OF RATED SPEED
Auto Color 46.5 39.3 77.5 69.6
Black 47.6 42.1 79.3 70.2
Productivity is tested by having the device fold, saddle-stitch and output 10 sets of a 16-page PDF file. BLI obtains the efficiency (percent of rated speed) for each mode by averaging the efficiency ratings (derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed and then multiplying by 100). The closer the rate is to 100%, or if it exceeds 100%, the more efficient the device.
• Natural-looking flesh tones and excellent shading
• Bright, well-produced business graphics
• Dark, crisp, clearly readable text
• Consistent, distinct fine lines and full grayscale range
The X7600GX demonstrated impressive overall print quality. Environments that often print color documents such as marketing materials will appreciate the model’s bright colors, sharp fine details and excellent shading capability, with halftones visible over the entire measured range.
Organizations will also be happy with the X7600GX’s black print output, which earned BLI’s highest rating in three out of five tested categories. In regular text documents, characters were clearly readable and lines produced in an Excel document, for example, were distinct and consistent. And, as in color mode, shading capability was excellent in black mode, with grayscale visible over the entire measured range. All in all, the X7600GX proved it can be counted on to produce professional-looking output, whether in color or monochrome mode.
Color Print Quality
BUSINESS GRAPHICS VERY GOOD
Coverage of solids Consistent
Saturation Bright
Fine detail Sharp
Reproduction of light backgrounds Well produced
PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES EXCELLENT
Flesh tones Natural
Smoothness Above average
Fine detail Sharp
Halftone range (10% to 100%, in 10 increments) 10% to 100%
Density of a printed image with blocks of all solid colors, based on the average of two readings each for cyan, magenta and yellow, and four different locations on the output for black. The higher the reading, the darker the image.
Gamut Variance Readings
TEST POINT DELTA E RATING
91,882 1.73 Very Good
174,382 3.22 Good
250,282 1.94 Very Good
339,382 2.57 Very Good
AVERAGE 2.37 Very Good
Delta E is a colorimetric measurement assessing the distance between colors. The readings reflect the average shift of four specific color points within the color gamut from the previous measured point.
• Bright business graphics, natural-looking flesh tones
• Full grayscale range visible, with distinct separation between all levels
• Dark solids and text, distinct fine lines
• Slight banding evident in grayscale fill and an average amount of stair-stepping noted in diagonal lines
The X7600GX gave a strong performance with copy output as well. As in print mode, users can expect the device to deliver very good color output, with bright, sharp business graphics, and natural-looking flesh tones. Copy quality was very good overall in black mode as well, standing out most for shading capability, with grayscale visible over the entire measured range. As in print mode, text was clearly readable, closely spaced fine lines were distinct and solids were dark. The X7600GX should more than suffice for the copying needs of general office environments.
Halftone range (10% to 100%, in 10 increments) 10% to 90%
Black Copy Quality
TEXT VERY GOOD
Characters Fully formed
Darkness Above average
Sharpness Average
Curves/Serifs Average
LINE ART VERY GOOD
Closely spaced fine lines Distinct separation
Line thickness Consistent
Stair-stepping of diagonal lines Moderate
HALFTONE RANGE EXCELLENT
Range (15% to 100%, in eight increments) 15% to 100%
Separation between levels All
HALFTONE FILL GOOD
Smoothness Moderate graininess
Banding Slight
SOLIDS VERY GOOD
Darkness Above average
Coverage Moderate mottling
Copy Density
COLOR ORIGINAL TESTED COPY AVERAGE
Cyan 1.33 1.05 1.28
Magenta 1.29 1.08 1.23
Yellow 0.99 0.86 1.84
Black 1.92 1.41 1.51
Density of a printed image with blocks of all solid colors, based on the average of two readings each for cyan, magenta and yellow, and two different locations on the output for black. The higher the reading, the darker the image.
Even more detailed information can be found on the Information tab, including usage counters and current machine settings. Administrators can also quickly and easily update machine and network settings via the Settings menu. One drawback is that all of the functions utilized for setting up scanning at the web utility, including LDAP, SMTP, FTP and SMB, are in multiple different locations.
Fleet Management Utility
Name/Version number Samsung SyncThru Admin 6
Types of devices supported Printers, MFPs, digital duplicators with standard printer MIB
Discovery via SNMP/IP broadcast/Active Directory Yes/Yes/No
Discovers third-party devices Yes
Discovers non-networked devices Yes
Flags devices with errors Yes
Alerts administrators about errors via email Yes
Different email alerts can be sent to different people Yes
Administrators can remotely see/manipulate control panel Information not available
Supports remote access to device’s service mode No
Provides map view of devices/access to embedded web server Yes (with plug-in)/Yes
Restrict user access to color output Yes (with plug-in)
Restrict user access to scanning Yes (with plug-in)
Service logs/device error history Yes
Number of included report templates 10
Plug-ins available Device Map, Print Driver Management, Job Accounting
Winner Winner of BLI’s Pick award for Outstanding Network Device Management Solution in Winter 2013, Samsung SyncThru Admin is a feature-rich fleet management utility. With drag-and-drop functionality, a customizable user interface and a dashboard top-level view that displays device status and information at a glance, SyncThru Admin has a more user-friendly interface and offers more complete functionality than most competitors, such as built-in graphical reports, and the ability to discover and monitor local devices connected to networked PCs.
Notably, SyncThru Admin is the first fleet management utility to offer Twitter alerts; administrators can configure alerts on up to 39 error conditions and send those via email or via Twitter as a tweet or direct message. And the latest version now offers SLA (service-level agreement) reporting capabilities, which further sets it apart from other management utilities.
Clearly accessible misfeed areas/Drawers pull out far enough to allow access No
Easy to identify locations inside Yes
Lighted paper path No
Auto-purging of non-misfed sheets No
INSTRUCTIONS
Level of guidance on display Minimal
Provided on display as Text/Graphics/Animation
Step by step No
Method Not applicable
When a misfeed occurs, users must dig to find the details and instructions for removal; a prompt does not pop up onscreen. While text and animated graphics provide instructions for removal, the guidance is not dynamic (i.e., it doesn’t change in response to actions the user takes) and it doesn’t adequately indicate where the misfeeds are or provide step-by-step instructions on how to remove them.
Minimum/Maximum weights through drawers 16-lb. bond/110-lb. cover
Minimum/Maximum weights through bypass 16-lb. bond/130-lb. cover
Minimum/Maximum paper sizes 3.87" x 5.8"/ 12.6" x 18"
Number of sources that support envelopes 2 (tray 1 and manual feed tray)
DOCUMENT FEEDER
Type Standard DSPF
Capacity 250 sheets
Minimum/Maximum paper weights 12-43 lb.
Minimum/Maximum paper sizes 3.87" x 5.8"/ 12" x 18"
OTHER
Tandem print No
ID card copy Yes
Wireless interface Optional
Hard Drive Storage
Method Via print/scan/copy
Accessing files At device
Thumbnail views Yes
Capabilities Add/Delete/Edit/Move
Finishing options include a 550-sheet internal finisher that staples up to 50 sheets; a 2,250-sheet booklet finisher that staples up to 65 sheets and saddle-stitches up to 25 sheets to create 100-page booklets, which is more than many competitive machines; and a 3,250-sheet high-volume finisher that staples up to 65 sheets. An optional hole-punch unit is also available.
The full specifications record for this device is available on bliQ.
Method of opening paper drawers Quick-release handle
Remote operator software INA
Tilting control panel Yes
Number of angles Up down, side to side
Swiveling control panel Yes
Voice guidance (audible instructions) Standard
Voice operation (responds to commands) No
INA: The vendor declined to provide this informationNA: Not applicable
The accessibility function was difficult to use overall. As a user slides his or her hands across the interface, a speaker reads off each feature as it’s scrolled over. The screen also vibrates as a user’s hand comes into contact with each selection. However, the sound is somewhat muffled and difficult to make out. Once a function is located, a user must double-tap on the display to select it, but BLI technicians found that locating the precise spot to tap was difficult, requiring a fair amount of trial and error.
FEATURES—SOLUTIONS NOT RATED
As previously mentioned, users can access software solutions compatible with Samsung’s eXtensible Open Architecture (XOA) platform from the Apps menu of the control panel. Personalized customization of the panel is also available via the My Page app.
In addition to Samsung-developed solutions (such as Samsung Business Core Output Management and Document Management, Samsung Usage Tracker and Samsung Cloud Connector, Samsung Secure Login Manager, among others), embedded applications that can run at the control panel include those from OCM Solutions, Equitrac, Drivve, Ringdale, Cirrato One, Unbiquitech, Prism, MaxxVault and Pharos, among many others.
Full specification records, Solutions Briefs and Solutions Test Reports are available on BLI Solutions Center.
Specified capable of running 30/50/100% post-consumer recycled paper Yes
Instant/Quick fusing Yes
Automatic duplexing Standard
Toner-save mode Yes
RoHS-compliant Yes
Hardware remanufacturing program for this product Yes
Prepaid label to return cartridges/bottles No
Ability to program environmental features over a fleet Yes
ECO-LABEL CERTIFICATIONS
ENERGY STAR Yes
Other Germany Blue Angel, EPEAT, Korea Eco Label, ECMA-370
RATED ENERGY CONSUMPTION LEVELS (watts)
Ready/Idle 51.5
Energy Save 36.5
Sleep 2.1
During printing 853.8
FASTEST PROGRAMMABLE TIMES TO ENTER LOW-POWER MODES (seconds)
Ready/Idle 60
Energy Save 60
Sleep 60
Walk-up users can change these settings Yes
INA: The vendor declined to provide this informationNA: Not applicable
More extensive information, including test results, can be found in the device’s Environmental Test Report.
Value
Although the Samsung MultiXpress X7600GX is among the highest priced of comparably configured models in its speed range (based on suggested retail pricing), it delivered an outstanding overall performance. Given the device’s excellent reliability, strong productivity performance, very good feature set and impressive image quality, it still offers a good value. It should be noted that, for a lower suggested retail price, Samsung also offers the “LX” configuration, which has a slower, lower-capacity document feeder.
Test Environment: This product was tested in BLI’s environmentally controlled US test lab, which replicates typical office conditions.
Test Equipment: BLI’s dedicated test network, consisting of Windows 2008 and Microsoft Exchange servers, Windows 7 workstations, 10/100/1000BaseTX network switches and CAT6 cabling.
Test Duration: A single product is tested for two months, five weeks of which consists of a durability test during which the product is run at its manufacturer-rated maximum monthly duty cycle, with 25 percent of the test volume comprised of copy jobs and 75 percent comprised of print jobs. BLI’s daily test usage is designed to replicate real-world use over an eight-hour workday, and as such includes a mix of various-size documents, simplex and duplex modes, and a mix of short, moderate and long run lengths, and on/off cycles, throughout the day. The durability evaluation also includes testing of the document feeder/scanner in simplex and duplex modes for an additional 10 percent of the monthly maximum volume, evenly divided over the course of the test.
Tested Configuration: Samsung MultiXpress X7600GX base unit, plus optional booklet finisher, punch unit and high-capacity feeders.
Test Procedures: BLI’s lab testing includes both BLI proprietary and industry-standard test procedures and documents. In addition to a visual image quality evaluation, optical density of primary color (CMYK) solid fill output is measured using a densitometer, and color gamut and consistency are evaluated using a color spectrophotometer. The reliability test is conducted using Georgia Pacific and Boise paper in the US, and UPM, Data Copy and Mondi paper in the UK. In both labs, 30 percent of the paper is recycled. The media used for image quality testing is Georgia Pacific Printing Paper (24 lb., 96 brightness) in the US and UPM Future ImageTech 100 gsm in the UK.
Competitive Group: The analysis in this report compares the tested device to a group of all other currently available like models (e.g., color vs. color, copied-based vs. copier-based) in the same speed range (5 ppm up and down from the speed of the tested device) with support for the same media size. For test performance categories, the results are compared with those of currently available tested models in the group, whereas for feature set and pricing, the comparison is made against all currently available models in the group, whether tested or not. The pricing analysis is for devices comparably configured with accessories and the most common options.
Note: This report is based on BLI testing one representative test sample at a specific point in time. BLI is not responsible for differences in performance that may be the result of lot-to-lot variation, changes in production and machine modifications implemented by the manufacturer, service issues or any other reason beyond BLI’s control. Test unit serial #: 082TB1EG400002D
About Buyers Laboratory LLC: Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI) is the world’s leading independent provider of analytical information and testing services to the document management industry. For over 50 years, buyers have relied on BLI to help them differentiate products’ strengths and weaknesses and make the best purchasing decisions, while industry sales, marketing and product professionals have turned to BLI for insightful competitive intelligence and valued guidance on product development, competitive positioning and sales channel and marketing support. BLI also offers private, for-hire testing services that help manufacturers develop and market better products and consumables