Dell Laser MFP Breaks Price Barrier

At $199, the new Dell 1135n costs $100 less than you'd expect for a monochrome laser with networking, while per-page printing costs can rival inkjets.Dell has announced it is bringing out the new 1135n, a multi-function (print, copy, scan. fax) monochrome laser printer with networking, priced at $199.

Steve Mast, senior product manager in Dell's Imaging Group, explained that previous pricing for a multi-function monochrome laser was about $250. Adding networking, meanwhile, would usually boost the cost another $50. So the price of the new 1135n beats the previous standard by about $100, he explained.

You'd pay less for inkjet technology, but Mast noted that SMBs still traditionally prefer lasers. The output is crispier, lasers are faster assuming equal quality output, and the toner/ink cartridges last much longer-about 2,500 pages versus 500 for inkjets, assuming 5 percent of the page being covered with ink, he added. Lasers also have a higher monthly duty cycle.

With a high-yield toner cartridge for the 1135n costing $87.99 for an expected 2,500 pages, printing costs 3.52 cents per page, which Mast said is competitive with inkjet printers using high-quality settings. Using draft settings, inkjets will come in below that, he added. The closest monochrome laser competitor of the 1135n (Mast didn't name it) runs to 4.2 cents per page, he said. The standard toner cartridge for the 1135n, costing $62.99 for 1,500 pages, yields the same per-page cost.

Mast was also proud that Dell is offering an advance exchange warranty even at the entry price of the 1135n. Instead of waiting for the customer to send in the problem unit, Dell will send out a replacement the same day the customer calls in and Dell confirms that a repair is needed. In other words, they don't wait for the defunct unit to arrive.