Samsung Xpress M2070W review

Samsung is one of the major UK players in mono laser printers and all-in-ones, and its new Xpress range caters for the increasing popularity of mobile devices by simplifying wireless connection with near-field communication (NFC).

We’re just seeing the start of NFC, and it won’t be unique to Samsung. Dell, Epson and HP have already announced machines supporting the technology. That said, but Samsung’s implementation here is extremely easy to use: simply download the Samsung Mobile print app to your NFC-equipped mobile device, tap it to the scanner lid and the connection is made.

Elsewhere, the M2070W is more functional and businesslike – as you’d expect from a mono laser all-in-one. Beyond the unusual two-tone colour scheme, the design is angular and staid, with a 1,200ppi flatbed scanner mounted on the top and controls on a balcony on the front. These include a two-line mono LCD panel, large operation buttons and four dedicated keys for ID card print, WPS setup and Samsung’s Eco print mode, which quickly sets toner-save and multipage-per-sheet printing to save resources.

Aside from NFC, it isn’t bulging with features. There’s no multipurpose slot, no duplex printing and no ADF for the scanner, although the scanner lid can accommodate magazines as well as single sheets.

Print costs aren’t up with the best. The print engine uses a single-piece drum and toner cartridge, available in only one capacity (1,000 sheets); this slots in below the hinge-up scanner section. We’d prefer either an XL option for the cartridge or a two-part cartridge with replaceable toner and a longer-lasting drum. In any case, the print engine contributes to a higher-than-average cost per page of 3.5p.

Consumable prices fluctuate considerably from month to month, so the page cost may fall into line as the model matures. Also, once you start printing, such concerns fade into the background. In both normal and toner-save print modes, it printed at a zippy 19ppm in our tests, which is impressive for a sub-£150 all-in-one. In addition, the machine wakes and starts to print within 12 seconds. Copy speeds are good, with a single sheet from the flatbed taking nine seconds.

Black text print is crisp and densely black, and areas of fill are similarly well reproduced. Photos are surprisingly well handled, although there is some fine banding. The scanning head has a top optical resolution of 1,200ppi, and a 6 x 4in photo scanned at 600ppi took an impressively low 20 seconds to complete. Although quick, the scan loses little definition, colours are natural and detail is sharp. It’s a surprisingly good scanner for a budget all-in-one.

The Samsung Xpress M2070W is good value, despite its higher-than-average print costs. Its modest footprint and easy-to-use controls are complemented by excellent print quality and a respectable turn of speed, and its NFC capability makes it particularly well suited to working with mobile devices.