Samsung SCX-3405F Laser Multifunction Printer Driver and Software

The Samsung SCX-3405F is a monochrome laser multifunction printer for a small office or department. This rugged device combines a high-resolution single-sided color scanner and copier, as well as fax capabilities (hence the “F” in the model number) accessible over a LAN or Wi-Fi (hence the “W”).

Except for cable connections, all functions are performed from the front, including paper refill and toner service. A 700-sheet starter cartridge is included. The regular toner delivers about 1,500 pages in standard mode. There is also an Eco mode.

For paper handling, Samsung replaces a 150-sheet front-loading paper tray with a paper cassette, which no doubt helped curb the relatively large 15-by-11-inch footprint. The main feeder can hold paper or up to 10 envelopes. The output tray holds 100 sheets. There is no two-sided option. The 3405 delivers up to 10,000 pages per month. It consumes 310 watts in operation, 30 watts in standby mode and 1.2 watts in sleep. It weighs just under 15 pounds.

The Samsung SCX-3405F requires a height clearance of approximately 20 inches to access its flatbed scanner, a TWAIN-compatible color device with a native resolution of 600 x 600 dpi and a maximum resolution of 4,800 x 4,800 dpi with interpolation. Features include a 40-page auto-feeder and scan-to-PC functionality.

Standard interfaces are USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi; There are no ports for printing from or saving to USB drives or data cards. However, support for the Wi-Fi Direct connection allows mobile devices to print using Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, or Samsung’s own Mobile Print for Android and iOS devices.

Samsung Speeds and Feeds

The Samsung SCX-3405F hit its rated output speed of 21 pages per minute, but it wasn’t without problems. Firstly, the performance numbers. The device printed only black text pages and those with integrated graphics at virtually the same speed. After a period of 31 seconds until the first page appeared, the Samsung SCX-3405F printed 21 pages in a total of 1:29.

Setting up the printer was a little more difficult than most. A USB cable is required for the wireless setup utility. It cannot send settings to the printer wirelessly, nor can it see the printer once it has an IP address. Configuring the printer for Wi-Fi from the control panel wasn’t a much better option.

It got an IP address itself, but entering the passcode using the numeric keypad was cumbersome. Without a software CD, the testers went to the Samsung SCX-3405F download page, where manuals, software and drivers for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows can be found as separate downloads. Testing required separate downloads for the scanner, fax, “wireless” setup (via USB), printer management, and the printer’s own driver.

Related Printer: Samsung SCX-3405W

Uncharacteristic of Samsung, which usually produces excellent software, the management component for the Samsung SCX-3405F was virtually unusable, as was the interface for the two-line LCD control panel. When installing the driver, the installation package killed all running apps without prompting, a total UI no-no in our book