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Performance
Energy, process and cost savings are at the heart of the M6026cidn's performance. For a start, all print, copy and scan functions have auto duplex set as the norm - thus massively reducing the paper bill.
Further, the dedicated Energy Saver button will put the machine into sleep mode (which uses just 3W) and general inactivity will trigger Low-power mode (running at 40W) within one minute. The printer will 'recover' within 11 seconds as soon as one of the operational keys is hit or paper is fed into the ADF.
Time isn't wasted on preparation either, as initial warm-up is around 30 seconds with first print or copy averaging 10 seconds. Single-sided documents printed via a PC emerged at 20ppm with copies of the same via the ADF at the claimed 26ppm. Duplex versions of these reports managed a very respectable 12ppm and 11ppm respectively.
Images are surprisingly bright and vivid with colours barely diverging from the originals. Black text is also unbroken and bold but there is a noticeable paling of both text and images on subsequent copies.
The scanning possibilities on the M6026cidn are extensive due to the HyPAS technology. Not only can you send images to folders on the PC and memory sticks but also to email, FTP and SMB. You can even do a multi-send to different destinations at once as well as manufacture your own customised shortcuts and favourites.
Living in an age where cost and performance indicators are closely monitored, KYOCERA has gone all out to ensure that their revamped M6026cidn ticks all the right environmental and efficiency boxes.
The central control panel is geared around clarity of instruction and focused performance and it succeeds in this admirably. Yet for all its multiple functions, this printer remains determinedly compact.
Verdict
We liked
There's a tremendous range and flexibility in the workflow options of this MFP that will instantly appeal to businesses who like to customise a printer to their specific needs
Ink costs are low, print speeds swift and image quality impressive. There's also plenty of room for expansion in paper capacity, connectivity and memory.
We disliked
There are some structural irritants that could be improved, including the locking mechanism on the multi-purpose tray and the paper size dial in the base which is awkward to adjust.
It would also have been preferable to have a larger supplied paper cassette when workloads are almost certainly going to be demanding.
Final Verdict
If you have a growing business operation where every component is expected to deliver efficiently, economically and smartly, then the Kyocera M6026cidn should be under serious consideration as an essential mainstay of the organisation.
