Wirth Consulting

B2B Digital Imaging Product Evaluation
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 2:57:39 PM
"What You Should Know"
KX-MB2030 Model Imaging Technology Laser

Make Functions

Panasonic Print/Copy/Scan/Fax
Classification Entry-Level B/W Network MFPs Under $300 At $189.00, Panasonic's KX-MB2030 is currently the lowest-priced laser-based MFP on the market with standard network connectivity, and Panasonic's lowest-priced monochrome MFP. Also of note is that network scanning (in color) is also provided, so that, for instance, from the control panel, users can scan documents directly to network folders. The KX-MB2030 is also one of the few devices in this group that can send scans to an e-mail server. There's no duplex printing, so users who require it will have to step up to the KX-MB3020 ($499.99). The non-duplexing document feeder holds 20 originals.

Specifications

Max Monthly Duty Cycle BW/Color Print Speed (PPM) Max Print Resolution (DPI) Standard Memory (MB) Std Media Capacity (sheets) Max Media Capacity (sheets) Power Consumption (watts) 10,000 Max Media Width (inches) 24 Max Media Length (inches) 600x600 Max Media Wt. (bond, lbs.) 32.00 Height (inches) 251 Width (inches) 251 Depth (inches) 500 Weight (pounds) 8.5 14.0 24.0 12.00 16.50 17.00 26.50 215.90 mm Price 355.60 mm Duplex 81.00 gsm Print 304.80 mm Network 419.10 mm Scan 431.80 mm Doc Feeder 12.02 kg Full System $189.00 148.82 $189.00 148.82

Feature Checklist

Value Add USB Convenience Port PC Fax Walk-Up Fax LAN Fax Image Quality BW Office IQ Color Office IQ Professional IQ Photographic IQ Print Duplex Printing Network Printing Microsoft Windows Apple Mac Linux GDI Printing PCL PostScript Adobe PostScript Scan Color Scanning Network Scanning Software Desktop Software Web Utilities Media Handling Feeds 110-lb. Index Stock Max Weight from all Sources Holds Full Ream of Media Copy Duplex Document Feeder Ease of Use Graphic Display Touch Screen Navigation Keys Maintenance All-in-One Toner Cartridge Finishing Finishing
Wirth Consulting Ratings*
Value Features Image Quality Printing Copying Scanning 4.0 3.5 3.0 3.0 2.5 3.5
*On a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the best
Wirth Consulting DIP Perform ance Ratings
V alue F eat ur es Imag e Qual it y Pr int i ng C o p yi ng Scanni ng Inst al lat io n So f t w ar e B uil d Qual it y Ease o f U se M ai nt enance M ed i a Hand li ng

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.0 2.5

Installation Software Build Quality Ease of Use Maintenance Media Handling

Ratings Scoreboard*

Overall Score 39.0
*Highest possible scores: Overall, 60; Copier, 45; Printer, 50; Scanner, 40; Usability, 25

Copier Score

Printer Score

Scanner Score

Usability Score
2010 Wirth Consulting Denville, New Jersey USA www.wirthconsulting.org
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 2:57:41 PM
Classification Entry-Level B/W Network MFPs Under $300 Maintenance Kit Price Maintenance Kit Yield Other Type Other Price Other Yield Color Consumables Cost per Page Drum cartridge $109.95 6,000

Make Panasonic

Model KX-MB2030
Consumables Pricing and Yields*
Black Ink/Toner Price Black Ink/Toner Yield Cyan Ink/Toner Price Cyan Ink/Toner Yield Magenta Ink/Toner Price $44.95 2,000
*All supply yields are based on an original area coverage of 5% per color
Magenta Ink/Toner Yield (pages) Yellow Ink/Toner Price Yellow Ink/Toner Yield Multicolor Ink Price Multicolor Ink Yield $0.0408
Black Consumables Cost per Page

Total Cost Per Page*

Monthly Volume 50 pages 100 pages 250 pages 500 pages 1,000 pages 2,000 pages 3,000 pages 4,000 pages 5,000 pages Black CPP $0.104 $0.072 $0.053 $0.047 $0.044 $0.042 $0.042 $0.042 $0.041 Color CPP 50 pages 100 pages 250 pages 500 pages
Total Cost of Ownership**
Monthly Volume Black TCO $311.40 $433.80 $801.00 $1,413.00 $2,637.00 $5,085.00 $7,533.00 $9,981.00 $12,429.00 Color TCO ***Mixed TCO
*Cost Per Page and **Total Cost of Ownership include the purchase price depreciated over a five-year period. ***Mixed=Based on print usage of 66% Black and 33% Color
1,000 pages 2,000 pages 3,000 pages 4,000 pages 5,000 pages
Wirth Consulting Commentary
Strengths Color network scan to e-mail, server, FTP, SMB, and PC workstation. Readiris Pro 7 OCR software. Multi-Function Station software for PC fax, receiving and managing scans, fax setup, device configuration, etc. Preview incoming faxes at the computer workstation instead of printing them; faxes may then be printed, deleted, or saved as files. Device Monitor Utility may also be used to monitor third-party networked devices. Easy Print Utility for merging files created using different source applications (such as Microsoft Word and Excel, an image file, etc.); the file may be printed and/or saved as an Adobe PDF. Limitations Ships with a starter toner cartridge (500 pages). High-yield toner cartridge (2,000 pages) is priced at $54.95. Limited to 30 fax broadcast groups and 110-page fax memory. The non-duplexing automatic document feeder holds only 20 originals, the lowest capacity in this group.

Notes Cost per page was calculated using high-yield toner cartridge.
Best Use The KX-MB2030's solid performance and feature-set, and low acquisition cost, make it a great bargain and a Best In Class selection for very small workgroups (two to three users), small-businesses, satellite offices, and home-office users. While its slightly above-average Cost per Page makes it most suitable for relatively lower print volumes, its strong build quality, large, easy-to-use control panel, network scanning, scan to e-mail, enclosed and space-saving paper drawer (not a cassette or an open tray) and unobtrusive and easy-to-use software set it apart from others in this group. 2010 Wirth Consulting Denville, New Jersey USA www.wirthconsulting.org