Epson WorkForce 610 review

In August, Epson announced the arrival of a brand new WorkForce All-in-One printer, the WorkForce 610, the successor to the popular WorkForce 600 we rated so highly last December.

With a price point under $200 and exciting new features, the WorkForce 610 certainly deserves some attention but will it live up to its big brother in terms of quality and reliability?  Can the WorkForce 610 compare to a laser printer in its efficiency and support a small workgroup? Read on to find out!

WORKFORCE 610 SPECIFICATIONS

• 4-in-1 device: print, scan, copy, PC fax
• Print speeds: up to 38 ppm in black or color
• Print resolution: up to 9600 x 9600 dpi (interpolated)
• Laser quality text in 15 ppm
• 30 page ADF
• 4 individual DURABrite Ultra pigment ink cartridges
• Built-in memory card reader
• Connectivity: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Ethernet and Wireless
• Energy Star compliant

BUILD AND DESIGN

The WorkForce 610 is very similar to its predecessor, the WorkForce 600, at least in design.  Both are decked out in a mix of glossy and matte blacks with silver accents and a few well placed Epson logos.

One of those logos will be found on the lid of the 30-page automatic document feeder.  Underneath the ADF, users will find the 48-bit color flatbed scanner with an optical resolution up to 2400 dpi.

Lift the scanner to access the inside of the machine and install the four individual DURABrite Ultra pigment ink cartridges.  The slots are color coded for easy installation and the WorkForce 610 is compatible with Epson's Extra High Capacity inks.

The adjustable control panel runs along the entire front of the WorkForce 610 and features a 2.5 inch Tilt LCD.

To the left of the control panel, resides the built-in memory card reader featuring a PictBridge port.  The following memory cards are compatible:  CompactFlash, Microdrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, MagicGate, Memory Stick, MagicGate Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Pro Duo, SD, SDHC, MultiMediaCard, xD-Picture Card, xD-Picture Card Type-M, and the xD-Picture Card Type-H.

The fold out output tray is located on the bottom center of the 610.

The 100-sheet paper tray is found on the rear of the printer; thanks to an adjustable paper clasp the WorkForce 610 can print on a variety of media with the maximum paper size of 8.5 x 44 inches. 

The 610 can be used via a USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection; all of the connection ports including the fax port and the power connection are found on the back of the device.