We have the previous generation thermal wax printer (Phaser 360), but I
think that these answers apply to your questions about the 840.
> 1. How quiet is the printer when it's in standby mode?
Silent. Can't even tell that it is on.
> 2. How good is the photo output, compared, say, to an inkjet using
> coated paper?
Not nearly as good.
> 3. Can you overprint output from the printer on another printer? (if,
> for example, you print some letterhead, then put it through another
> printer to print the letter).
Can't overprint the pages. The fuser of a conventional laser printer
remelts the wax and smudges it. But this is a moot point, because our
letters are formatted with the letterhead.
> 4. How easily does the ink scrape off (a problem, I've heard with
> resin.wax based ink). If you fold the printed page does the ink come off?
We haven't noticed any of the wax flaking off on folded pages that are
composed primarily of text. Haven't tested it on pages that are
completely covered by wax (like colored PowerPoint images).
> 5. I've heard that the printer smells a bit. Is it a mild smell or do
> you need gas masks if it's being used in a small office?
Very mild smell of ozone. Our printer is in a 90 sq. ft. office and our
boss doesn't complain.
> Any comments from users on the general performance of the machine
> would be appreciated.
Our Phaser 360 is very nice. We share it amongst 10 users over an
EtherTalk network. The free black wax makes it economical to run.
However, the resolution isn't the greatest (450 dpi) and the first-page
out time can be lengthy. Nonetheless, I would still buy an 840 instead
of one of the laser-based color printers.
