Samsung ML-1630W Personal Wireless Mono Laser Printer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm giving five stars for the unit itself, but getting it operational was another matter altogether.

Living in a smallish Manhattan apartment, I needed a compact laser printer that wouldn't look conspicuous on the bookcase of my multifunction living room/dining room/office.I figured its low profile and sleek design would actually camouflage it quite nicely with my stereo components.But the main thing was I needed it to be WIRELESS, since the computer itself is on the other side of the room, and I didn't want to run wires all over the place.

The unit came packed with a "Mac Quick Set-Up" diagram -- only pictures, not even words explaining how to set up the unit (I guess they figured they'd save the cost of multi-language translations).The diagram didn't explain much, so I popped in the set-up CD in my Mac and went through the steps.The software downloaded, but the unit wasn't working.In fact, the computer wasn't even recognizing that there WAS a printer.

So I called Samsung support, and after waiting on hold for 20 minutes, was connected to a woman named "Lisa" who could barely speak English.After stumbling through the language barrier and her insultingly simple troubleshooting questions ("Is your computer turned on?"), we finally got to the heart of the problem:she said I needed to HARD WIRE the printer to my wireless router."But the printer itself is supposed to be wireless," I protested."No, it's wireless because it goes through your router," she insisted."But that's stupid," I retorted, "because if I wanted to hard-wire my printer to my wireless router, I could have done that with ANY printer!Where's the wireless functionality of THIS printer?"

Of course she couldn't help me, but she gave me another Samsung tech support number to call -- only, of course, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.Convenient!Because we're all at home hooking up our computers during those hours, right?

I called Samsung from work the next day.The guy started walking me through the troubleshooting steps."Hang on, I'm writing this all down," I said."Wait," he said, "you're not in front of your computer now?""No," I said, "I'm at WORK right now -- just like you."

Well, it seemed that English-challenged "Lisa" from the night before failed to give me the number for the support office that's open AFTER hours, which this guy shared with me.So I called later that evening, and was immediately connected to a guy in Seattle who sounded like he's barely out of high school.FINALLY -- someone who knows what he's talking about!!

"Steve" walked me through a labyrinthine maze of commands and menus in my computer, having me enter series of numbers and periods - closing this box, opening another -- entering more numbers -- reopening -- for about 30 minutes.Then he had me connect my wireless printer with a USB cable to my wireless router.Apparently the initial "handshake" with the computer requires this.Once the "handshake" is over, you can disconnect the USB cable, and VOILA -- the printer is now completely wireless forever and ever, amen.

Long story short, I ended up setting up my printer on a shelf in my hall closet, and amazingly the wireless functionality is strong enough to pierce my 8-inch thick prewar plaster walls, even with the heavy mahogany closet door closed.

I would highly recommend this printer to anyone who needs an attractive compact laser printer, as well as the flexibility of setting it up with no cords (except, of course, the power cord).However, Samsung should just do everyone a favor and rather than including a set-up diagram and CD, just tape a business card to the top of the unit with Steve's phone number.

Total set-up time:4 hours.

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Product Description:
Imagine a printer that is small, sleek and silent. The SAMSUNG ML-1630W wireless laser printer is half the size of its nearest competitor, it is the smallest laser printer in the world. Its piano black finish, buttonless controls and blue LEDs make it the sleekest printer to ever grace a desk.

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