The Brother MFC-L3750CDW (known in Europe as the MFC-L3760CDW) is a compact and cost effective all-in-one, aimed at small to medium business and the home office. This isn’t quite like many of the best laser printers we’ve tested. Brother calls it an LED laser printer because it’s using an array of LEDs to guide the toner particles onto the drums instead of a laser beam and this makes it appreciably smaller than Brother’s pure laser line-up. 

Thankfully, the reduced footprint doesn’t mean a reduction in functionality and you’ll find all of the key features essential for a multifunction business printer here. That includes auto duplex printing, high-res scanning and copying, a fax facility and a 50-page ADF (automatic document feed). With its laser-fast print speed and high capacity for paper and toner, this promising printer deserves an in-depth test.  

Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW: Design & build

Brother’s L37 series of LED laser printers share the same compact desktop form factor that bagged them an IF design award and the Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW looks pretty well made to me too. It’s reassuringly heavy at over 20 kilos and the off-white plastic casing feels solid and nicely rounded off. There’s a paper tray at the bottom deep enough for 250 sheets of paper and a glass scanner bed and 50-sheet ADF at the top. The control panel with its 3.7-inch touchscreen juts out of the front. When you lift this panel, the printer hinges wide open to reveal the four fairly large toner cartridges and drum units. 

All the cable sockets are at the rear, apart from the front-facing USB Host port. I’m always glad to see one of those on a business printer for walk-up printing from a thumb drive. And behind the front flap above the paper out tray, is the multipurpose input tray for inserting single sheets, which is ideal for printing on envelopes or headed letter paper. Like many of the best printers we’ve tested, the Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW is a typical, but tidy example of multifunction laser printer design.  

Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW: Features & specifications

As the upper middle model in Brother’s 37 series, the Brother MFC-L3750/MFC-L3760CDW has a pretty high specification and only lacks a few premium features. There’s no NFC module and it cannot auto duplex scan for example. Despite the large ADF, you will still need to turn the document over yourself in order to copy the other side. It’s a pity because rival machines like the Canon i-Sensys MF735Cx do offer single pass 2-side scanning.

What it can do is auto duplex print and copy A4 documents at 600 x 1,200 dpi. The ADF will copy a stack of 50 sheets and the paper in-tray holds 250. It comes with toner cartridges capable of printing up to 1,000 color and 1,000 monochrome pages, which is okay, but not great. However, it can accept high yield cartridges that should deliver up to 2,300 color pages and 3,000 mono and their CPP (cost per page) is very competitive.

You are also getting 5GHz Wi-Fi with AirPrint compatibility, all the essential security features including Secure Print and a fax modem. And like most printer manufacturers, Brother offers a subscription service with this purchase, entitling you to discounted toner which will be sent to your address before you run out. An EcoPro sub could save up to 72% on your consumables cost.

The print speed is given as 26ppm (pages per minute), which is impressive, but that’s in simplex mode. When auto duplex printing, things slow right down to 10ppm, which is no faster than many of the best inkjet printers. The FPOT (first page out time) is an unremarkable 14 seconds.

Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW: Setup & operation

I had no trouble setting up the Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW, which comes with a clear quick start guide. First you have to remove all of the transport tape and take out the four toner cartridges so you can reinstall them without their packaging. Next, load some paper, turn it on and follow the on-screen prompts to get your printer onto your wi-fi network. 

Brother has a good companion app called Mobile Connect for Android/iOS that will help you with this step. The app also makes remote printing and scanning easy. Operating the printer in person is simplified by the 8.8cm color touchscreen. In short, this is a very user-friendly machine. 

Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW: Performance

The Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW printed quite quickly and well in our quality tests, with no problems or paper jams. Simplex printing is very fast, but as mentioned, the first page out time and duplex printing speeds are significantly slower, making this slightly below the average print rate for a laser printer in this class. 

Turning out plain pages of monochrome text is what this printer is best at. Each character is clearly and lightly rendered so that it’s easy to read even at very small point sizes. Printing in color takes exactly the same time, but the palette looks a little pale. The CMY toner is still vivid enough to create satisfying pages, it’s just not as punchy as other lasers at this price achieve. That’s more evident when printing photographs. Black and white shots look nicely detailed, especially on quality laser paper, but color snaps look rather flat. But then, this isn't designed to be the best photo printer. The Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW is a business laser printer, not an inkjet, so I won’t mark it too harshly for that. 

The large 50-sheet ADF worked smoothly, drawing in a stack of pages without a hitch and copying them. It’s a pity only manual two-sided copy is available, but at least our duplicate test pages were accurate, if a little more faded than the original.   

Brother MFC-L3750/MFC-L3760CDW: Final verdict

As office all-in-ones go, the Brother MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW ranks highly, thanks to its reasonable all-round performance. It’s not the fastest, or the most cost efficient, nor is it the best print quality, but it does each of those things well and packages it all up in a compact, easy-to-use machine that won’t break the bank. It can churn out wonderfully crisp and consistent pages of text in simplex mode, while duplex pages emerge quite slowly and colors look a little muted. There’s not a huge amount of toner in the box, but very high yield cartridges are available, which will give you a competitive cost per page. It can also make faithful duplicates with its 50-sheet ADF, though it lacks the ability to copy both sides automatically. There’s no NFC either, but it does have a decent touchscreen interface and a fair amount of room for paper and toner. All in all, the pros outweigh the cons and we have no reservations in recommending this multifunction printer as one of the best small business printers for home workers and small to medium sized organizations. 

We tested the best ink tank printers - and these are our favorite models

A website's performance shapes user experience, engagement, and overall business outcomes. Factors like sluggish page loading, poorly optimized content, and inadequate mobile responsiveness can turn away potential customers.

Google Lighthouse is a game-changing open-source tool that automates website improvement for developers and site managers. It can be Used on any publicly available website or web application page. The tool provides quality scores across five categories: performance, accessibility, best practices, SEO, and Progressive Web Application (PWA) status.

Here's a look at Google Lighthouse's features, advantages, and practical tips for maximizing its potential to enhance your web endeavors.

• Interested in Google Lighthouse? Download the Google Lighthouse Chrome plug-in.

Features

Google Lighthouse is a powerful Chrome plugin that is easy to use and free for everyone. This automated tool can help you enhance your web apps' performance, quality, and accuracy. Lighthouse can also be used to test the effectiveness of other websites, including your competitors, as It can be used anywhere online.

When you start a Lighthouse session, the tool runs a series of tests on the webpage and generates a report showing its weaknesses. You can use the results of the failing tests as indicators to identify areas for improvement.

Lighthouse is a tool that helps assess web pages based on five key areas. The first area that Lighthouse examines is a website's performance. This includes analyzing the website's load times and users' time interacting with the page. Lighthouse provides insights and suggestions on making the page faster, which can help improve user experience and increase engagement. By analyzing a web page's performance, Lighthouse can help website owners identify areas for improvement and optimize their website for a better user experience.

Meanwhile, It is now mandatory in many parts of the world for websites to be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. While comprehensive solutions like UserWay, EqualWeb, and Deque are available for this purpose, Lighthouse can also assist in identifying common accessibility issues that may hinder users with special needs from accessing website content. This tool can ensure that your website complies with several accessibility regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Lighthouse is a tool that evaluates websites to ensure they meet or exceed current best practices. During the audit, the tool focuses on aspects contributing to a secure and well-functioning website, ultimately leading to a positive user experience. 

One critical thing Lighthouse checks for is HTTPS usage and secure connections throughout the site. Additionally, the tool recommends reducing render-blocking resources, optimizing image formats, and enabling compression for faster page loads.

Furthermore, Lighthouse audits the websites to see areas that could be improved. This includes avoiding outdated practices and using passive event listeners for better scrolling performance.

Lighthouse also assesses factors that impact how well a website appears on search engines (SEO). These factors include the content, how keywords are used on the website, how the website loads, the quality of links leading back to it, and how mobile-friendly the site is.

Once these factors are examined, Lighthouse suggests enhancements to boost the website's ranking on search engine results pages. By implementing these suggestions, website owners can enhance their sites' visibility to attract new viewers.

Lighthouse can be used to ensure that your website adheres to the Progressive Web Apps (PWA) checklist. This checklist comprises core and optimal features, vital for ensuring your site is fast, reliable, and engaging.

The PWA checklist's core features include having a responsive design, using HTTPS, and providing a manifest file. These features are essential for any PWA, and Lighthouse will detect any issues that prevent your site from meeting these requirements.

PWA optimal features are not mandatory but can improve the user experience and boost overall performance. Some examples of optimal features include using a service worker to cache content, implementing push notifications, and providing an offline mode.

Installation, setup, and compatibility

Lighthouse is a powerful and versatile tool for auditing websites. As mentioned, it can be accessed using Google Chrome, Chrome Extension, and Command Line Interface (CLI).

The most straightforward way to use Lighthouse is through Google Chrome's DevTools. Open your Chrome browser, visit the website you want to audit, and press F12 to launch DevTools. From there, navigate to the Lighthouse tab, and you're ready.

If you don't want to go through the hassle of opening DevTools every time, you can install the Lighthouse Chrome Extension. This extension provides easy access to Lighthouse without having to open DevTools.

Setting up Lighthouse as a Node.js package is an option for more advanced users. This will enable automation and smooth integration into the development workflow. Developers who want to perform automated audits as part of their continuous integration and deployment process typically use this approach. 

No matter which method you choose, Lighthouse is a handy tool for improving the performance, accessibility, and overall quality of your website.

Plans and pricing

With Lighthouse, you can stay current with the latest web standards and ensure that your website meets the highest quality and performance standards. Best of all, Lighthouse is free and easy to optimize your website immediately.

You can run Lighthouse on any website, including your local development environment, and get instant feedback on making your website faster, more user-friendly, and more accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or devices. 

Final verdict

If you work on websites, you’re likely always looking for tools to enhance your site’s performance, SEO, accessibility, and more. One tool worth exploring is Google Lighthouse.

Google Lighthouse has gained popularity over the years for some reasons. It comes with benefits and a few downsides. Let’s start with the positives. Firstly, Lighthouse is very user-friendly. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, navigating and understanding its features is easy.

Another excellent feature of Lighthouse is its integration with Chrome DevTools, which makes it simple to access and use. Running audits from the DevTools panel allows for results to be displayed in a format.

What sets Lighthouse apart from its tools is its auditing, which covers various aspects such as performance, SEO, accessibility, and best practices. This provides a view of your website’s strengths and weaknesses, helping pinpoint areas for improvement.

Furthermore, Lighthouses’ detailed reports are impressive as they offer insights into enhancement opportunities while sorting issues by severity. You'll also receive recommendations on how to address the highlighted issues.

Oh. Did I mention that Lighthouse doesn't cost a thing?

Nevertheless, like any tool, using Lighthouse has its downsides. For instance, its accessibility testing has limitations, so it’s not advisable to rely on it to enhance your website’s accessibility. To get an assessment, it’s recommended to supplement with other tools and manual testing.

It's important to remember that Lighthouse utilizes Google’s performance and SEO metrics. While these metrics are helpful, it’s essential to consider factors that could affect user experience. Moreover, Lighthouse primarily follows rules to spot issues, which means it may overlook some problems or flag issues that aren't always critical.

Google Lighthouse is a beneficial tool for web developers. The fact that it’s open source only adds to its appeal. So, if you haven’t already given it a shot, try out Lighthouse. Witness how it can enhance your website’s performance and user experience.

More from TechRadar Pro

• We've also featured the best AI tools. 
• You will also be interested in our best web accessibility services of the year.

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: One-minute review

One of the biggest issues with working on a laptop is the relatively small screen size. Even with a larger 16" screen, the actual real estate quickly disappears as soon as you open more than one window or app. The solution is The Portable Monitor Flex 14in, which is quite unlike any other compact portable monitor.

Firstly, the build quality is designed to partly match the space grey and metal casing of the best MacBook Pro laptops, a design also reflected in many PC laptops. However, while it tries to blend in colour and material with Apple's design ethos, it doesn't quite match the quality of Apple's product design. That's not to say it's not well-made; it's just not as refined as you'd expect from an Apple product

However, it is ingenious. It has dual monitors that fold out on either side of your MacBook 14in or any other laptop, as long as the laptop has a USB Type-C port to connect the display. The power and monitor cable are combined, and if you need extra power, a second USB Type-C port on the monitor allows you to connect it directly to a portable power source or a wall socket.

On the first run with the monitor, a few drivers are needed to ensure the smooth operation of the monitors. Thankfully, The Portable Monitor includes a USB key with all the drivers needed for Mac, PC, and Android, as well as cables.

Once installed, you can connect the monitor and run both monitors from that single cable. This setup does increase the drain on your battery, but you can plug in an external power source if needed.

The OSD menu offers many adjustments over brightness, contrast, sharpness, and other settings. You can also adjust directly through your normal computer settings.

We've tested plenty of the best monitors for MacBook Pro, and we can say the quality of the display is excellent in use. On the other hand, this needs to be considered a secondary and tertiary display, especially for MacBooks with their P3 color space and high resolutions. However, the display quality is great and ideal for positioning palettes, browsers, Word documents, and music players that usually get hidden away.

The other major benefit is the articulation of the screens, allowing you to position them in a triangle, so if you're in a meeting, you can flip the screens around so that people on your left and right can see what you're discussing.

Overall, it's a great product, not quite as refined in design as some of the best portable monitors we've tried, and the displays should be seen as secondary if you work in the creative sector due to the 1080p resolution and maximum sRGB colour space. However, when it comes to functionality, especially for expanding your workspace and whenever you need to show what you're doing to others, the flexibility in the positioning of the monitors and the increased workspace is a huge benefit.

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Pricing and availability

• How much does it cost? $599 / £476
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in is widely available and can be brought directly from the official website. 

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Specs

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Build and Handling

Designed as a fold-out monitor system to complement your laptop, the Portable Monitor Flex 14in consists of three sections that fold out, with two monitors attached to a central stand.

The whole unit is made from decent-quality metal that reflects that of the Space Grey MacBook Pros. The build is solid enough, with thick hinges on the monitors that enable the screens to adapt to laptops from 13" to 16" without issue, even though the monitor is designed for 14" screened laptops.

While the overall build is good, there's a lack of precision, and the finesse of good product design seems to be missing. The component parts are all there, and it does work well, but when folded, there's space and flex between each of the folded sections where you really feel it should all lay flat. Likewise, the metal stand that folds out is good and solid, but again, there's some flex when it's packed away rather than sitting flush in its recess.

In use, the stand folds out, and then the two monitors fold out so that a laptop can be slipped in between the two monitors. The large hinges can then be adjusted to accommodate the size of the monitor that your laptop has. Once all is in position, the USB cable can be attached directly to power and connect the laptop to the monitor.

While these days we're used to plug and play, it should be noted that before this monitor system can be used, you'll need to install the drivers. Thankfully, these come in the box with the monitor and take only a few moments to install. Once in place, you can then plug in the monitor and start to configure the screens as needed. On a Mac, this involves delving into the screen options and arranging the monitors so that one sits on the left and the other on the right of the laptop screen, all nice and easy.

Using the Portable Monitor Flex as a triple monitor system is just one use for this device. An equally useful use is in meetings where others need to view your screen. Rather than crowding around, you can fold the Portable Monitor Flex 14in into a triangle of monitors behind your laptop screen, meaning that if you and your colleagues are sitting around a table, you can all view what's going on. Effectively, then, it's one of the best monitors for a dual set-up (or even a triple set-up).

Finally, if you just need one monitor rather than two, a quick tap of the mode button allows you to switch one of the screens off or position it in portrait orientation, which can be useful for reviewing documents and content online.

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Performance

The initial setup is quite straightforward, with the dual monitor folding out and supported by the stand at the back. The design allows for several usage configurations: as an extension of your laptop's screen with one on either side, as a triangle of screens behind your laptop screen for others to view your work, or as a single vertical or horizontal screen.

Each configuration can be quickly switched between, with the metal build and large solid hinges providing plenty of flexibility for easy adjustment and positioning. Before you plug in for the first time, the monitor's software driver needs to be installed. This one-time procedure takes just a couple of minutes and is extremely straightforward, although it is unusual in today's plug-and-play environment.

As you switch between the different configurations, the screen modes can be selected using the on-screen displays, with = and + symbols on each monitor, allowing you to adjust and change the settings as needed. Likewise, all the usual options and settings are available through the laptop's OS. By default, the monitors are set to a low resolution, so increasing this to the maximum 1080p is one of the first adjustments that should be made.

Once set up, the screens perform well with a clear, crisp image and plenty of adjustment over the colour and tone. Although the monitor can only display sRGB, it can be adjusted to match well with the MacBook Pro's monitor. However, the quality of the output means they are great for office documents, browsing the internet, and displaying palettes. Still, they should be avoided for tasks requiring precise colour or tone adjustments.

Overall, the monitors are easy to use, and the additional workspace is definitely a huge advantage. However, if you're considering this as a screen extension for use on a train, the size—both packed away and when folded out and in use—is a bit obstructive. This solution is more suited for hot desking, moving between offices, or having meetings where flexibility is needed. They're a great idea and work well in the right environments. The screen quality is good but should not be seen as on par with a P3 high-resolution MacBook screen. These are fine for document review and screen expansion but not for tasks that require absolute colour accuracy.

Should I buy the The Portable Monitor Flex 14in?

The initial idea of this dual-screen system, which sandwiches your laptop screen between two 14" monitors, sounds and looks great, and in practice, it does work well. However, while the quality of the materials and manufacturing is good, the precision of the product design is somewhat lacking, and this is something that carries through in its use.

Unlike many devices that are simply plug and play, this monitor requires drivers to be installed for use, an unusual step in today's world. However, once the drivers are installed, everything else is straightforward with an easy setup and connection.

In use, these monitors really come into their own, and through the test, I've used them to display emails, music, palettes, and 3D slicer applications, while I've used the main laptop screen for tasks that require color accuracy and higher resolutions.

The fact that these have a color space of sRGB and a maximum resolution of 1080p isn't an issue in practice, and the extra screen space they provide is a huge benefit for all sorts of situations. However, the size and design of the Flex 14" portable monitor mean that these are not something I would use on a day-to-day basis if I was traveling around or to be used on a train or similar. However, if I was going to a meeting where I knew others would need to see the screen or was hot-desking, then these would be a huge benefit. Overall, it's a great product, with the feeling that a little more finesse in the product design would elevate this to an absolute essential for many.

We tested the best business monitors - and these are our favorites

The Uniformation GKtwo has made an impact in the market with its speed and quality, distinguishing it from other cheaper DLP models. It is essentially a standard 8K resin printer that uses an LCD panel to cure the resin. 

What has marked this printer out against some of the best 3D printers we've seen in a fairly crowded market is the build quality and high-resolution screen. However, the competition is catching up, with many of the high-end features that help ensure superb print quality. This printer is now capable of appearing on cheaper machines.

Still, the machine's size and weight reinforce its absolute build quality. Once you get into the full resin workflow, which is often messy, Uniformation has the full ecosystem of wash and cure machines that enable you to keep that mess to a minimum.

The GK Two is also one of only a few machines that feature a heated build chamber and air filter, each of which performs an important function when it comes to where you can use the printer and ensure the best possible print quality.

However, the point remains that, with other 8K machines now available for far less, is spending that additional capital really worth it?

Uniformation GKtwo: Design

The GKtwo is a distinctive-looking machine, measuring 350x315xH455 mm and weighing in at some 20 kg, with a large green flip lid that covers the large build area. The lid serves a dual function: it protects the user from the UV light used to cure the resin and protects the resin from ambient UV light, which may inadvertently cure the resin when not in use. Like many machines, the lid is articulated with a rear hinge, allowing it to be easily flipped up for access to the build area. While there are still a few resin printers with completely removable lids, this solution is by far the best.

The lid covers the main machine, which features a large metal base with a touchscreen on the front, connection ports around the back, and the resin tank and build platform inside. The design follows the usual conventions, with the build platform dipping into the resin tank before being exposed to build up the model.

The build platform is all-metal and fixed with a quick-release lever that secures it firmly in place when mounted to the Z-axis. The platform itself is uncomplicated and is fixed metal with no quick-release mechanism for the prints, so, as is common with resin printers, a scraper can be used to help remove the print after it is finished.

The resin tank sits on the base of the machine and covers the 8K LCD screen. A nice touch here is that the tank is also quick-release, so it can be removed quickly for cleaning when needed. Unlike some of the latest machines, this tank needs to be manually filled to level before printing.

An increasingly common feature is the heated inner chamber and filter; these are both incorporated into the design rather than being add-ons, so they sit neatly and securely as part of the system.

Overall, the design is solid and high-quality. Parts are easy to access and clean, and the design has been carefully thought out to ensure easy operation. Although the design is good, one aspect that could be improved is adding an auto-fill feature for the resin.

Uniformation GKtwo: Features

The size and weight of the machine instantly give this 3D printer a premium look and feel, making it one of the largest DLP printers available within this price range. Opening up the lid reveals a printing volume of 228x128x245mm, which, for most enthusiasts and modellers, will be a perfect size for most creations. Jewellers and product designers will also benefit from the slightly larger-than-average build volume.

At the heart of the machine is the photocuring 8K LCD screen that enables a curing time of 2-3 seconds a layer at 0.05mm layer height, using a wavelength range of 402.5-405nm. This means that the printer has wide compatibility with most standard 3D print resins. 

When it comes to transferring prints to the machine, the simplest way is by means of the USB port, although it is also possible to send the files across using the WiFi connection. To do this, however, takes some knowledge of the Prusa slicer network settings. When it comes to the slicer software used with the printer, Uniformation has adapted a version of Prusa Slicer, which, as always, works smoothly. 

However, for some users, the advanced details of that application can initially be a little daunting. However, once you get your head around the options, the control and ability to adjust supports make this one of the most finely tuned options for resin printing out there, aside from PreForm, which is only compatible with Formlabs SLA printers. Although Uniformation ships the printer with GKtwo Slicer, you also have the choice of using the excellent Chitubox.

The UniFormation GKtwo has already garnered quite a following due to the machine and print quality. In use, the machine is simple to set up, and throughout the test, absolute reliability was a key feature; as long as you check the resin tank for any debris, ensure the build plate is clear, and obviously keep the resin tank topped up.

During the print process, two non-print-related aspects really stood out with this printer. The first was the smell or lack of it. The UniFormation GKtwo has a built-in filter unit, which seems to work overtime to ensure that the room you're printing in remains as resin-smelling-free as possible. Throughout the test, this really seemed to be the case, and compared with other systems out there, which are a little plug-and-play, this is simple and fully integrated.

The second is that the printer works without issue, even in cold weather. While the temperature outside dipped below 0°C, and conditions in the workshop weren't much better, the printer continued to produce outstanding prints without issue. This is due to the heated chamber, which helps to ensure that the print environment is always at an optimum.

Uniformation GKtwo: Print quality

When it comes to printing, the slicer software is based on PRUSA Slicer, so while it can be a little complex to get into initially, it does give you a huge amount of options over the quality of the print. More importantly, it gives you plenty of control over the support tree structure, which helps you get better-quality prints as they're adjusted from the standard settings.

Moving to the machine and the print workflow, once the model is uploaded through either USB or the Wi-Fi connection, you can then just leave the machine to get on with the print. The speed of the machine is also something to note, with prints being produced at a decent speed compared with printers from a year or two ago, although more in line with the most recent crop of machines.

The print quality itself is outstanding once the prints have been properly cleaned and all supports removed. Through the test, I used a generic resin, which proved to be a little brittle and made it difficult to remove some of the support structures with some prints. While the resin was brittle, it was a high-detail option and gave a superb surface finish to the models. The trick here was to remove the prints from the machine as quickly as possible after the print process, wash them for around ten minutes, and then remove the supports before curing. This issue is purely down to the type of resin used rather than the printer.

At 8K, this isn't the highest-resolution printer out there; however, the quality of the surface and the detail really stand out, making this a great choice for model makers and jewellers who need intricate detail in their prints. Dimensional accuracy for the functional parts made was also good, showing that, again, this is a printer that could be used for prototypes and small production runs.

Overall, the print quality from the UniFormation GKtwo is some of the best that I have seen from a resin printer. With the recent price drop, this printer is somewhat of a bargain, if still a little more expensive than some of the competition.

However, there are several points that you find when using the printer, which means if I had the money, then the Form 3+ is definitely the printer that I would opt for without a doubt. It's also the printer that I would recommend for any business needing a production-quality model.

The first of the points around performance is the workflow. While other printers are quickly catching up, they're still far from the absolute ease of use. The cartridge system is simple, as is the tank design; you literally insert it, and then you're ready to go. Likewise, there's no faffing around with adjustment; the machine does everything on that front for you, including filling the tank and making sure that the temperature and consistency of the resin are correct for the best possible quality print.

Once the print has finished, the platform releases easily, and being the build platform 2, a quick push of the handles and the print pops off without the usual battle to release the print. Then it's just a case of dropping into the Form Wash, removing the supports, and then into the Form Cure to finish.

Essentially, Formlabs has created an entire ecosystem that makes the process as mess-free as possible, although eliminating all the stickiness isn't quite yet possible.

Once the print has fully dried, it can then be worked so that if there are any remnants of the support structure, these can be removed with a file, snips, or knife. Generally, the prints came out relatively clean and ready for use. One of the main projects for this project was to create a focus bracket for an Arri Alexa follow focus; this required absolute accuracy, although simple. This proved to be a simple enough project for the printer in one of the tough materials and was immediately put to use.

Likewise, other functional parts were easy to make and support with the Light-Touch Removal Supports that are generated by the software, holding the model firm during the printing process and then ripping free relatively easily once the wash process is complete. Under a bright light, the prints can then be inspected and cleaned before curing. I found that once the wash had been completed, I would remove the supports, brush away any support debris, and then give another quick wash before curing.

If any supports are left in place during the curing process, then on some models, they're almost impossible to remove due to the strength of the materials.

When it came to detail, these models showed a quality and level of detail that no FFF printer that I have used can come close to competing with. Even the best of the LCD printers with their high-resolution screens are left behind when the printer is switched to the highest quality setting.

The surface finish and detail are also exceptional, and while you do have to clean up the prints to a greater degree than with many FFF models, the quality is just outstanding. For me, the real advantage of Form 3+ is the Light-Touch Removal Support. Unlike other printer software that creates support structures that are almost impossible to remove, the PreForm software enables you to balance the support structure perfectly.

While this is aimed at the professional market and businesses such as architecture, engineering, jewellery, film, and many more, this printer will also benefit model makers and other craft enthusiasts looking for absolute quality and precision.

Uniformation GKtwo: Final verdict

The UniFormation GKtwo is a high-resolution 3D resin printer with an incredible amount going for it. Firstly, the high build quality stands out, and it packs in all the features you would expect from commercial-end resin printers rather than the consumer end, which is where the machine's cost places it.

The photocuring LCD at 8K is one of the higher-resolution screens out there but is by no means the highest, with a good crop of 12K options appearing at present. However, even against these new machines, the information GKtwo holds its precision and quality of surface that makes it stand out.

Features such as the screen, the air filter, the flip-up cover, and the heated inner chamber boost the overall performance and help ensure the high print quality and reliability that this printer is capable of.

As with any resin printer, the machine and the print are just the start of the process, as there is the whole wash and cure process to contend with once the print has finished. At this point, there is no quick release from the platform for the print, while the platform itself is quickly released from the machine. Uniformation does produce a wash and curing machine, which I used throughout the test; like the resin printer, the quality of this is excellent, and as always, it's worth purchasing.

If you need a resin 3D printer that produces high-quality prints with an excellent surface finish, the UniFormation GKtwo is a great choice. It's also a good option if you need to use the printer in a large room where you'll also be working or a cold workshop or room where temperatures might dip.

Should You Buy the Uniformation GKtwo?

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