The Epson Ink Tank L850 from our May 2015 issue was more of a photo printer that also functions as a Multi-Function Printer (MFP), but this time around we have the Ink Tank L565. While it isn’t quite as specialised, it’s a good no-frills option meant for the regular office use.
Self Service
You’ll notice the Epson L565 uses the same ink tank system, which gives you an idea of how many pages it should be able to print right off the bat, though the L850 used a six colour ink tank (CMYK+LC+LM). This model doesn’t have an LCD screen but instead uses a keypad panel plus TFT screen. On the very top is a paper feed tray, the scanner below that, and lastly another paper tray below the control panel. In terms of appearance, it’s a very standard small office MFP.
Setting Up Shop
Getting the printer ready for use isn’t hard. You’ll find a set of four ink bottles in the box, matching the CYMK colour palette, which you’ll have to pour into the corresponding ink containers. Since it’s DIY, I’ll just leave a reminder here to be careful not to spill, since each bottle is worth RM20.
Cutting Ties
Another feature the L565 shares with the L850 is the ability to print wirelessly. Whether it’s through WiFi over the office network, or by using the mobile app, users can print the standard sizes (listed in the specs table) easily. Connecting to it is easy too, as the setup does it for you.
Print Mania
At 33ppm for mono and 15ppm for coloured, this printer has a respectable print speed and the quality is good. Text comes out crisp and colours are pretty accurate, due to the CMYK configuration in the ink tank. There’s a slightly longer delay when printing from the app as compared to printing from a PC wirelessly, but otherwise I was quite satisfied with how responsive the process can be.
Big Price Tag
The Epson Ink Tank L565 is an excellent choice for the SOHO environment that’s looking to cut cost, as Epson claims that a full tank gets you up to 12,000 mono prints and 6,500 coloured prints. It’s a bit more expensive than the standard SOHO printer, but if you need to do large volumes of printing regularly, then it’s definitely worth the investment.
Specs
Print Speed 15 ppm (Colour), 33 ppm (Monochrome)
Resolution 5,760 x 1,440 dpi
Paper Size A4, A5, A6, B5, C6 (Envelope), DL (Envelope), No. 10 (Envelope), Letter, 10 x 15 cm, 13 x 18 cm, 16:9, User defined, Legal
Connectivity 10/100BaseT, IEEE802.11b/g/n, Mobile App (Android, iOS)
Ports USB
Value 8
Performance 9
Features 8
Design 8
Usability 10
Verdict Though standard, this printer excels in providing convenience.
Total 8.6
Byline: Matthew Yap
