The Dell W5300 monochrome laser printer is compatible with multiple systems while it is priced accordingly; the printer sells for around $900.00.

Equipped with a 500 MHz processor and 80 MB of base memory, up to 336 MB total, the Dell W5300 provides ample power for maximum speed and resolution. Out of the box the printer has USB and 10/100 BaseTX Ethernet connections for a quick set up time and to increase its usefulness across different networks a Management Information Base allows for the use of other printer tracking software to be used with it; the W5300 comes with Dell’s OpenManage software if you do not already have one, this is a newer feature on this class of printers. Supporting Windows, UNIX and Linux systems keeps it competitive with other in class printers. Optional expansions include an auto duplexing unit, envelope feeder and 2 paper trays adding to the standard 500 sheet tray.

Black and white documents fly out of the device at 45 pages per minute due to the fast processor and the Dell W5300 supports a monthly duty cycle of 225,000 pages per month. High capacity toner cartridges are good for 18,000 pages at 5% coverage, or draft documents this will decrease the cost per printed page to around $.14 per page at the same coverage. Gray scale images are presented well enough for everyday use, but image intensive documents will need a little extra help. Text is presented fairly well down to 6 points and after that the letters seem a bit feathered. Be aware that italics and stylized fonts will be affected at these font sizes. A multipurpose feeder allows for oddly shaped or unusual media sizes to be accepted into the printer and a maximum of 176 g/m2 media weight is allowed.

The Dell W5300 is a great monochrome printer for the money with some work needed in the area of image printing; it will serve a document intensive department well considering its speed and networking capabilities.