Easy to use and install, long lasting cartridges, space saving
Disadvantages:
Expensive, have to buy cartridges on - line
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Introduction....
I am not the best person in the world at understanding anything technical concerning a computer, I'm really just a switch it on and hope it still works sort of person, bearing in mind that I completely crashed my operating system just a month after getting my computer....(says it all really!)
So, my point is this...... I have had absolutely no problems at all in setting up and using this multifunction DCP-4020C machine.
*Product Description........ It is a 4-in-1 multifunction machine, incorporating a Printer, Scanner, Copier and Photocapture Centre.
The machine itself is quite heavy and therefore sturdy, it has a paper tray at the back which can be loaded with 100 sheets of paper and a pull out front tray for up to 30 sheets.
Atthe front is a small display screen and a menu button, allowing you to checking things like ink volumes and general maintenance, Copying options such as enlarging/reducing, a Photocapture menu and also an option to print reports.
It is a very smart and tidy looking machine, and is a great space saver as everything is in one place.
* What's in the box?
The DCP-4020C comes with a manual, a quick setup guide which is very clear and precise, four ink cartridges (vacum sealed), USB cable, power cable, paper trays and of course the all important driver software (for both Windows and Mackintosh).
*Operating system requirements.
Your machine must have Windows 98/98SE (24mb), /Me(32mb), /2000 Proffesional(64mb) XP(64mb) or Mackintosh OS 8.6 to 9.2 (32mb) or X 10.1 (printing only) /10.2.1 or greater (128mb).
*Installation and set up
I found the quick setup guide very easy to follow, I didn't even need to ring anyone up for help! Every step has a specific set of instructions; explaining how the trays should be attached, how to insert the cartridges, loading paper, setting the date and time and of course how to install the software.
I liked the fact that I could just insert the CD-Rom into my computer and literally just sit back and follow the on-screen instructions.
Magic!
*The Printer
In my opinion the print quality is excellent, both in mono and colour. According to the specifications it will print 13 pages of mono a minute/11 pages of colour but I don't actually do any heavy duty printing so I've never actually timed it. It's not a noisy machine so if you're up late (or early), you aren't very likely to disturb anyone.
You can use different types and sizes of paper, including A4, envelopes, postcards and Index cards. I've only actually printed with A4 and postcard size so far though. There is also an option for poster size by printing on 9 separate pieces of paper.
As part of the initial set up you get Arcsoft which allows you to edit pictures, again, I have not yet used this option.
This is great. No more going down to the newsagents and paying 5p every time I want a copy of something. Again it is quick to copy ,it's quiet, and produces excellent copies of documents and pictures. In fact I bought this machine for the scanner but discovered much to my delight that copying a photograph produced excellent results. You can enlarge up to 400% and reduce a document's size to 25%, alternatively you have the option to make a manual choice. There are also options for brightness, quality, contrast and the type of paper. Thus ensuring that your final copy is of the highest standard possible.
Copying speed is 10 pages a minute (mono)/ 6 pages a minute (colour).
*The Scanner.
I have to confess that I have only used the scanner a couple of times so it isn't really my strong point. You scan the document directly on to your computer The scanning runs off a separate programme called Scansoft, which Installs as part of the initial set-up. It is easy to use and there are various folders to choose the best option as to where you keep your scanned documents.
There is an option to scan an original onto your memory card but I haven't tried this one yet.
Scanning speed is 11 seconds for colour and 3 seconds for black and white.
*Photocapture Centre
It has the facility to accept three types of media cards; CompactFlash, Smart Media and Memory stick, and is really quite easy to use.
You simply insert your card in the front on the machine, depending on what card type you have and then ask for a menu of all your pictures to be printed. You can then print off individual pictures of your choice, without even having to turn on your computer!
It makes printing pictures out so much quicker and the menu is really easy to follow.
*Cartridges
The cartridges are easy to install and last rather a long time, the machine gives you plenty of notice when they are running low as well. The only problem is that you can't buy them in your local High Street store. I use a weel known office supplier to obtain mine.
They colour cartridges cost about #6.00 and last ages, (400 pages) and the black cartridge about #12.00 (480 pages). The black cartridge is larger then the others, please bear in mind though that I don't always use my printer on a daily basis, but I do print off an awful lot of photographs.
*The Manual
Just a quick note on the manual. It has general details on Paper, set-up, Printing, Copying and the Photocapture. Scanning and more detailed information involves inserting the CD-Rom......
I hope that this review explains the basic uses of the DCP-4020C, there are much more options that I haven't tried out yet and as soon as I find out something new and useful I will of course, revise this review.....
More details
Ease of use
Very easy
Design
Good
Range of extra features / functions
Excellent
Instruction manual
Satisfactory
Manufacturer Support
Excellent
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
