Epson WorkForce WF-2540

The Epson WorkForce WF-2540 multi-function printer (MFP) is almost identical in most ways to the Epson WorkForce WF-2530 that I recently reviewed. Both models are best understood as personal MFPs for any size office and both offer essentially the same size, speed, and output quality. However the WF-2540 adds a few key features, most notably an Ethernet connector as an alternative to the Wi-Fi that both printers offer. For those who prefer the extra security and reliability of wired network connectivity, that alone makes it well worth the small additional cost.

In addition to the Ethernet connector, the WF-2540 adds a larger, more readable LCD, at 2.5 inches, for the control panel menus and a USB A connector on the front of the printer to let you scan directly to, but not print from, USB memory keys. Beyond that, however, there are few, if any, differences between the two models.

As with the Epson WF-2530, the WF-2540's footprint is only 15.4 by 14.8 inches not including the front output tray, making it small enough to fit comfortably on your desk. More important, it shares the Epson WF-2530's focus on office-related, rather than home-oriented, features. That's not to say that it can't serve in the dual role of home and home-office printer. However, you won't find features like support for printing directly from PictBridge cameras, which you might expect in a home printer.

The Basics
Core MFP features in the WF-2540 include the ability to print and fax from a PC, scan to a PC, and work as a standalone copier and fax machine. Office-oriented features include a 30-page automatic document feeder, which supplements a letter-size flatbed to let you scan multipage documents and legal-size paper easily,

For printing, the WF-2540 offers only a 100-sheet paper capacity and no duplexer (for automatic printing on both sides of the page). This limited paper handling is the main reason the printer is best reserved for one person's use, at least in an office. You can certainly share it on a network easily enough. But unless no one in your office prints very much, you'll have to refill it with paper more often than most people would want to.

Also worth mention is that the WF-2540 allows printing through the cloud and printing with Apple AirPrint. Note, however, that AirPrint requires a Wi-Fi access point on your network, which you may not have if you've chosen to use the Ethernet or USB connection. In addition, both AirPrint and cloud printing require setting up the printer with a wired or wireless network connection.

Setup, Speed, and Output Quality
Setting up the WF-2540 on a wired network was absolutely typical, both for the physical setup and for installing the drivers and other software on the Windows Vista system I tested with.

As with the WF-2530, the WF-2540's speed and output quality are both acceptable but unimpressive. On our business applications suite (using QualityLogic's hardware and software for timing), the WF-2540 tied the WF-2530 at an effective 2.6 pages per minute (ppm). That makes it significantly slower than either the less expensive Editors' Choice Brother MFC-J430w below, at 4.3 ppm, or the more expensive Editors' Choice Brother MFC-J825DW above, at 4.0 ppm.

For photos, all of these printers were slower than most inkjets, with the WF-2540 essentially tying the WF-2530 for last place, at 2 minutes 16 seconds.

Output quality is another area where the WF-2540 is a close match to the Epson WF-2530. Text quality falls at the low end of a fairly tight range that includes the vast majority of inkjets. It's more than acceptable for most business use like correspondence and reports, but not suitable if you need top quality text, or just have a demanding eye.

Graphics are more than good enough for internal business use, but you may not consider them good enough for PowerPoint handouts or the like depending on how much of a perfectionist you are. Photo quality is easily good enough for business materials with photos, and even for home use with most photos. However, colors in one photo were a little off in my tests, putting the printer in the same league as the low end of what you can expect from drugstore prints.

Thanks largely to its Ethernet connector and ability to scan to a USB key, the Epson WF-2540 is a more attractive choice for the price than the Epson WF-2530. If you don't need those features, you can save some money by getting the Epson WF-2530, or, better yet, the Brother MFC-J430w, with its faster speed. Similarly, if you need those features but speed is a key consideration too, you'll be better off with the Brother MFC-J825DW, which will also give you duplex printing. If you don't need duplexing, however, and don't need the extra speed, the Epson WF-2540 is a more than reasonable choice that can certainly do the job.

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