MBM Destroyit 3103 Shredder Review

With all the brands and models out there to choose from, finding the right shredder for centralized office use is no easy task. Here we will take a look at the Destroyit 3103 paper shredder and give you what we consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of this machine.

Strengths:

1. The first thing we noticed (and liked) about this shredder was the cabinet. Instead of the cheap plastic we are used to, this cabinet is made of solid wood. It is a nice off-white color that looks pretty sleek and modern. Clearly a cut above the kind of shredder you are typically going to find in a standard office supply store.
2. When you are shopping for a shredder that will be used by a large number of people in the course of an average day, safety is something that you should pay close attention to. Destroyit did, and we found the the 3103's safety features to be pretty impressive. It has a clear shield that is electronically controlled and keeps hands and clothing well away from the feed opening. The controls are all backlit and color coded so the user is always aware of the operational status of the machine. It also has an automatic reverse and shut off function in case of a paper jam. Power is also cut off when the cabinet door is opened and when the shred bag is full to capacity.
3. A photocell placed near the feed opening detects when paper is present and ready to be shredded. The machine will start automatically and will stop when the job is complete.
4. We really like the super wide twelve-inch feed opening on the 3103. This made it easy to destroy legal size and even 11 x 17 documents without having to fold or cut them first. Plus, we were able to greatly increase productivity by feeding standard letter documents into the machine with the longer eleven inch edge first.
5. When you are looking for a centralized office shredder, something you want to consider is the noise factor, as the sound of some machines can be a bit distracting and annoying. We found the 3103 to be remarkably quiet, especially for such a powerful machine.
6. Speaking of powerful, the cross-cut version of the 3103 dealt with staples, paper clips and credit cards with no problem at all. The strip cut version of the 3103 can even handle CDs and DVDs.

Weaknesses:

1. As we previously mentioned, the strip cut model of the 3103 can handle compact discs. However, most users prefer the extra security offered by cross cut shredders. If you want to have your cake and eat it too as far as that goes, you will have to step up to the Destroyit 4002 paper shredder.
2. While we like the overall look of the 3013 and it beats most other shredders hands down, it is not quite attractive as some of Destroyit's desk side shredders.
3. Strangely, the 3103 doesn't come in with a cross cut security level of anything above three. Some other smaller machines have the option for level four and even six in some cases. Level three security is acceptable in most cases. However, if you want anything higher you'll have to consider another shredder.