Sum-up: Solid ink printers with good speed and acceptable consumables costs.

The Phaser 8560 family is one of the latest product offerings in Xerox’s constantly evolving line of solid ink printers. Solid ink printers (Xerox is the only company selling office printers with this technology) have little to do with the more common thermal ink jet printers of the small or home office. Instead, solid ink is a technology in office printing competing with laser and LED machines. We consider it a laser-class technology, and it compares favorably with standard color lasers.

Resolution: Solid ink printers offer what we consider to be excellent image quality. Even the default settings seem to produce pretty accurate color renderings, though this print technology is not intended for those who need exact color matching (unlike, say, Xerox’s own Phaser 7760 series).

These printers work at a variety of speeds, depending on resolution. As we have said, resolution is not the biggest issue when dealing with color quality, especially given the way a solid ink jet deposits ink on the page. On the other hand, if you demand extremely crisp black-and-white type, you’ll have to run at higher than the standard resolution.

This generation of solid ink printers offers very respectable speeds. The 8560 engines are rated for up to 30ppm, both in color and in black-and-white. Numbers don’t tell the complete story here -30ppm are achieved in the “fast” color mode, which is 225 x 400dpi. The default mode is “enhanced” mode, which is 1,200dpi interpolated. On the 8560 printers, that runs at 16ppm, a bit over half the speed of “fast” mode.

In addition, the Phaser 8560 models have two other modes. The “standard” mode prints at 300 x 450dpi at a speed of 24ppm. The “photo” mode has an interpolated resolution of 2,400dpi and prints at 10ppm.

You select a printing mode (other than the default) as an option in the print dialog box. Because solid ink technology is so different from toner, it is hard to make exact comparisons between these resolutions and those of other color printers in this guide. To our eyes, the “enhanced” mode is excellent for demanding design work. The standard resolution sounds low compared with the 1,200dpi claimed by some rivals, but we find that the resolution is totally acceptable, even in “standard” mode. Likewise, “fast mode” resolution (30ppm) is totally acceptable for drafts, memos, and most other internal documents. Again, this is more an issue about type rather than graphics. And while photo-quality printing is not very fast, it runs circles around the real-life photo printing speeds on most regular (liquid) ink jet printers.

Features: These models come with powerful 600MHz processors, ensuring that they will handle images fast enough to keep the engine cranking out pages. Indeed, this printer series is very respectable for everyday black-and-white office printing as well, especially because it is less expensive for printing in black than many rivals.

The Phaser 8560 printers are also very easy to maintain. For example, when you have to change consumables, you need only open the top cover of the machine and slide in blocks of ink that look and feel like crayons. The printer melts those “crayons” and sprays the melted extract onto the paper.

You can’t even make a mistake, as each of the four colors has a unique shape that only fits in the appropriate slot. Replacing supplies on some color printers can be a daunting task, but not on these models.

Per-page prices are moderate and compare well to similar small-workgroup color lasers. An average color page costs about 10.8¢, and a black-and-white page costs 2¢. These prices are for the default resolution, the so-called “enhanced” mode. Costs for “standard” and “fast” modes, since they lay down less ink, are less expensive.

Versions: There are four Phaser 8560 models. All of them come with both USB and Ethernet ports, as well as optional Wi-Fi. They are:

• The Phaser 8560N (street price $699), which comes with 256MB of memory, upgradeable to 1GB, and 625 sheets of standard paper input.
• The Phaser 8560DN (street price $899), which adds duplexing.
• The Phaser 8560DT (at $1,399), which has 512MB of memory upgradeable to 1GB and comes with 1,150 sheets of input.
• The Phaser 8560DX (at $1,999), which comes with 1,675 sheets of input and a hard disk standard.

Each model starts with a 100-sheet bypass and a 525-sheet standard paper tray. Second and third 525-sheet paper trays are available (optional on the lower-end models). The maximum input capacity for the models is 1,675 sheets. The bypass can handle up to 80lb. cover stock, which is heavier stock than 110lb. index. Output capacity is a simple 250-sheet tray.

PostScript and PCL are standard features on all models. Direct PDF printing requires a hard disk, which is standard on the 8560DX.

When it comes to pricing, the Phaser 8560 series is very competitive with its laser and LED counterparts at the low end of the midrange level of the market. But the Phaser 8560 family is really in a category by itself.

One additional plus, these machines are small in dimension and weight, unlike some laser competitors.

However, the Phaser 8560 models are not intended for really high-volume use. Xerox rates them for 85,000 pages per month, but the small output tray is a clear indication that this printer series is better suited for a moderate flow of work. The warm-up time may be an issue as well. It’s considerably longer than that for LED and laser, but this should be a once-a-day issue. The first-page-out time once the machine is warmed up (around 5 seconds in both color and black-and-white) is outstanding.

These machines are capable of producing very good color output and good black-and-white documents as well. They are easy to use and can be pretty fast when it comes to full-color output, though not at the highest resolution. Keep in mind, however, that this series does not have the paper-handling capability to be used in place of a departmental laser printer.

If you plan on printing heavier volume, you should look at the Phaser 8860DN below. But all things told, we really like the Phaser 8560 family. We find its attractive pricing, small footprint, quiet operation, and reasonable sticker prices to be excellent features – so excellent, in fact, that the 8560 family earns our Editor’s Choice Award for a third year.

Xerox Phaser 8560N

Xerox Phaser 8560DN

Xerox Phaser 8560DT

Xerox Phaser 8560DX

30ppm color (”fast” mode)

30ppm black & white (”fast” mode)

The DX models are a continuation of Sharp’s new Frontier series, and follow in the wake of the same-speed MX-C311 and MX-C401. The models are basically the same, but the channel approach is different. The MX models can be sold by Sharp dealers only, and have a traditional copier dealer approach, where consumables and warranties are handled exclusively by the dealer, usually resulting in a cost-per-impression-type contract. The DX models are intended for dealers and other channels. The buying cycle is more like that of a printer-multifunctional, where consumables are bought as needed and a one-year warranty is established by Sharp itself. A dealer may, and can, sell both MX and DX models, depending on the requirements of the users.

These machines stand somewhere between traditional copiers and printer-multifunctionals. Like its copier-based products, these models use separate toner, developer, and drum modules, an arrangement that holds down consumables costs. However, like printer-based machines, customers can replace consumables during normal operations. Unlike most copiers, they handle up to legal-size paper rather than the ledger-size usually expected with copiers.

Within this group, the main distinctions are that the DX-C310 and DX-C400 models have somewhat more limited features in terms of PostScript, control panel, and document storage software. The FX models come with standard faxing. The models are moderately priced compared with ledger-size copiers. The 31ppm DX-C310 lists for $6,395 and the DX-C311 and MX-C311 lists for $7,095. The 40ppm DX-C400 list for $7,295, while the DX-C401 and MX-C401 sells for $7,995. The FX versions cost $625 more.

These machines are smaller in size than ledger-size printers, and therefore fit better into a typical workgroup. All the models share a common controller architecture. Models in the series also share some of the software Sharp developed for its higher-end copiers.

All of these models can copy, print, and scan out of the box. Fax is an option, except on the FX ones.

The paper supply is modest. The standard input consists of one 500-sheet input drawer and a 100-sheet bypass tray. You can add a second 500-sheet tray ($435) and two more 500-sheet trays (at $355 each). That makes a maximum input configuration of 2,100 sheets. Automatic duplexing is standard on all models. The bypass handles paper up to 110lb. index.

On the output side, there is a 250-sheet exit tray standard. Sharp also offers an internal finisher with single-position stapling and offset stacking ($1,365). This device holds up to 280 sheets, and it can staple up to 30 pages.

These machines come with a standard reversing document feeder (RADF). It holds up to 50 sheets. A flatbed platen is standard as well. Sharp also offers its business card feeder ($180), which feeds and scans business cards.

The DX-C310, DX-C311, and MX-C311 have 800MHz processors, while the DX-C400, DX-C401 and MX-C401 run on a 1GHz processor. Standard memory on all but the C401 models is 512MB (1GB memory is standard on the C401). An 80GB hard disk drive is standard on all models. That disk is partitioned into a 38GB main folder and a 12GB mailbox area that Sharp calls a “quick folder,” which is used to store faxes, scans, and generally other temporary documents. The balance of the hard drive provides virtual memory, used to support spooling and image processing operations. This disk space may also be used for more permanent file storage, especially overlays and forms. The file storage application is available on the C311 and C401 models only.

Connectivity is through both Ethernet and USB (Gigabit Ethernet is supported). Plus there is a conveniently located front-side USB port to permit printing from or scanning to a flash drive.

The print controller supports standard PCL on all models. The C311 and C401 models come with PostScript as well. You can also print directly from a variety of file types, including PDF, TIFF, and JPEG. Sharp also offers an optional XPS kit and a 1GB memory upgrade. This series allows printing at up to 1,200dpi.

The C310 and C400 models have a 4.3″ color display panel, while the C311 and C401 machines have a very large (8.5″) color touchscreen display. The former have a standard interface, while the latter offer some strong high-end software for the C311 and C401. Most notable is Sharp’s OSA® technology – Sharp can boast of having one of the best systems around for interfacing homegrown applications, as well as those from third-party developers. In addition, Sharp has certified a series of third-party programs that can be run by using the touchscreen. These include a number of specialized applications developed by customers and dealers in the Sharp network, including eCopy and Equitrac.

Sharp’s excellent imageSEND® technology is very strong; with some competitors you need to upgrade to get full scanning capability. Scan-to-file supports a variety of formats, including JPEG and encrypted PDF. You can scan to email, FTP, across the network, and to a mailbox folder on the hard disk. LDAP addressing is supported. A single-station version of Sharpdesk®, Sharp’s file management utility, is standard; you can add other stations for other users on the network. Sharpdesk® software for sophisticated document management is also available, you get one user license standard, and you can buy more.

Faxing, as we have noted, is optional on all but the FX models, at the expected 33.6kbps. There is 8MB of dedicated fax memory. Incoming faxes can be converted to files and rerouted to users. PC fax is also supported. Internet fax is a $545 expansion kit.

Sharp’s Security Suite is another nice plus. Features include file encryption, disk erase, as well as local and network authentication. Access control and auditing are also available. Also available is Sharp’s Commercial Data Security Kit, which data encryption and ensures sensitive data does not remain on the machine.

Sharp includes remote device management through its Remote Front Panel application. This allows access to a network machine from a remote PC workstation. Sharp also offers a system for on-time delivery and replacement of supplies. Finally, the company supports an excellent online suite of support and training materials through My Sharp®.

Sharp is proud of its green credentials, including the Green Contractor Award and the Evergreen Award from the U.S. government. Recycling and waste reduction are strong priorities.

Keep in mind that these models are presented here with suggested retail prices used by dealers to initiate copier leasing discussions. However, Sharp has positioned these models to compete with Lexmark’s and HP’s letter-legal printer MFPs, so you can expect street prices to be in the range of comparable models from those vendors. The entire family gets our Editor’s Choice Award.

Sum-up: Letter/legal copier-multifunctionals with high-end software features and a new dealer sales approach.

The new KV-S7075C ($8,995 list) is an upgrade to the KV-S7065C. It is faster, scanning at 75ppm in simplex and at 150ipm in duplex. The speeds are the same in black-and-white and color. Landscape speeds are 95ppm and 190ipm. In addition to the document feeder, this model has a flatbed platen. Panasonic asserts that it is the fastest flatbed in the industry.

One interesting new feature relating to the flatbed is what Panasonic calls “Multi-Crop”. This feature allows you to place several small documents on the platen (ID cards, receipts, business cards), scan them, crop them, and save each individual item as a separate file in one pass. This model also can scan a bound document, such as a book or magazine, on the platen, and produce two separate output files, a feature Panasonic calls “2-page Separation”. Additionally, Panasonic has introduced the Auto Image Orientation feature which automatically rotates so that the image is in the portrait direction. These are very nice productivity enhancements.

The scanner has a 200-sheet document feeder. This feeder has ultrasonic double-feed detection and is 11″ x 17″.

The KV-S7075C has USB connectivity. A prescan imprinter is optional.

This scanner handles up to ledger-size pages, and can also handle long documents up to 100 inches in length. It can also scan long paper sizes. It scans at a native 600dpi, though for regular document scanning purposes you’ll want to scale that back to 200dpi. It supports multi-streaming (creating grayscale and color files from the same scan).

Like other Panasonic models, the KV-S7075C comes with built-in Panasonic image enhancement technology. Its features include dynamic thresholding, blank page removal, punch hole removal, and auto-cropping. It also features Panasonic’s multicolor dropout, where a whole range of colors can be set for dropping out of a scanned document, not just the usual red, green, and blue. It also features JPEG compression on the fly.

This machine has user-replaceable components, including both CIS target glass elements and the rollers. That’s a nice plus. The rated monthly duty cycle is 15,000 pages.

The KV-S7075C is a full-featured midrange document scanner with built-in image enhancement features and a versatile flatbed scanner – all this add up to an Editor’s Choice Award.

Sum-up: A strong basic platform with some cool new features.

• B&W, portrait mode, speed at 200dpi
  • Simplex: 75ppm
  • Duplex: 150ipm
• Color, portrait mode, speed at 200dpi
  • Simplex: 75ppm
  • Duplex: 150ipm

These new models, the Lexmark C730 Series, are part of an overall upgrade in Lexmark’s whole printer and printer-multifunctional line with a comprehensive new design that offers both obvious and subtle improvements.

The C734 models run at 30ppm in both black-and-white and color, while the C736 models run at 35ppm in both. These are far faster than most comparably priced color printers. And they add some very nice new features that go beyond earlier generations of Lexmark machines.

The members of the C734 family are:

• The C734n, which offers standard Ethernet ($699).
• The C734dn, which adds automatic duplexing ($899).
• The C734dw, which adds Wi-Fi connectivity ($999).
• The C734dtn, which adds a 550-sheet paper drawer to the C734dn configuration ($1,149).

The C736 family consists of:

• The C736n, which offers standard Ethernet ($899).
• The C736dn, which adds automatic duplexing ($1,149).
• The C736dtn, which adds a 550-sheet paper drawer ($1,399).

All of these models are network-ready out of the box. USB connectivity is also standard for all models, and Wi-Fi is optional on all of the C734 and C736 models but the C734dw, where it is standard. Lexmark also offers serial, parallel, IPDS, and gigabit Ethernet options. There are options for barcoding and forms storage as well.

All models print at true resolutions up to 1,200 dpi. Likewise, all models start with 256MB of memory that you can upgrade to 1,280MB, and all have an optional 80GB hard disk drive. There’s a standard USB port for flash drives, so you can print directly from the flash drive. There’s also a PictBridge port. PostScript and PCL are standard. PDF, TIFF, JPEG, and XPS files can also be output.

The C734 models are powered by a 600MHz processor. First-page-out time is under 9.5 seconds, and under 12 second when in Power Saver mode. The monthly duty cycle is 85,000 pages, with a recommended range between 1,500 and 9,200 pages.

The C736 models come with a 900MHz processor. First-page-out time is a bit faster at 9 seconds, and has the same under 12 seconds speed in Power Saver mode. The monthly duty cycle is also 85,000 pages, but with a recommended range between 2,500 and 10,000 pages.

Paper handling is also solid. For all models (except the dtn ones), you start with a 550-sheet drawer and a 100-sheet bypass. The dtn models have two 550-sheet drawers. But you have the option of adding far more. With the C734 models you can add up to three more 550-sheet drawers. You can also add a 2,000-sheet stacker (which replaces one of the drawers). The C736 family is the same, but you can add one additional 550-sheet drawer beyond the C734 family. You can place the whole printer stack on a roll-away caster.

The C730 Series also allows for printing banner paper, up to 36″ on the C734 models and up to 48″ on the C736 models. In a nice design touch, automatic duplexing (standard on all but the n models) is built into the machine and adds no extra height to the stack.

Standard output is 300 sheets. That is the one weak point in these models: with an enormous wealth of input capacity, you’ll still have to empty the output tray frequently.

In terms of ergonomic features, Lexmark has upgraded the handles on the paper drawers, making them easier to manipulate. The 4-line backlit LCD panel is tiltable for easier access and features an animated help display. Lexmark has also reduced noise levels and offers a (somewhat slower) Quiet Mode with low decibel levels along with an already quiet idle mode. Firmware can be upgraded by a service tech using the USB flash interface.

Lexmark has reduced energy consumption on these models, in part due to the Instant Warm Up fuser that allows for fast recovery from Power Saver mode. Lexmark also notes that it has reduced excess packaging, has a comprehensive Return Program, and offers longer-life supplies than comparable competitive models.

Supplies for the C734 models consist of a set of four photoconductors and four toner cartridges. The black cartridge is rated for 8,000 pages, while the color cartridges are rated at 6,000 pages. The cost per page is 2.3¢ for black, which is very good in this market segment, and 12.9¢ in color, a bit on the high side. For the C736 family, you have the option of high-capacity toner cartridges: 12,000 pages for black and 10,000 pages for color. That ends up costing 2.2¢ in black and 12.1¢ in color.

Given all the features, it’s hard to imagine that these printers are just in the middle of the Lexmark color printer lineup and that most of the models cost under $1,000. The inclusion of PostScript is significant in this market segment, their speed is impressive, and the inclusion of duplexing on most of the models is notable. All of this earns them our Editor’s Choice Award.

Sum-up: Lexmark’s feature-laden color printers, aimed at small-to-midsize workgroups.

Earlier this year, Kyocera introduced its FS-C5200DN and FS-C5300DN color laser printers. Then, it added two new members of the same series, the FS-C5100DN and FS-C5400DN. Finally, it came out with the FS-C5350DN. All five models run at the same speed in color as in black-and-white. For the FS-C5100DN ($942) and FS-C5200DN ($1,424), the print speed is at 23ppm. For the FS-C5300DN ($1,739), it is 28ppm; the FS-C5350DN ($1,983) runs at 32ppm; and the FS-C5400DN ($2,593) has a speed of 37ppm. The two 23ppm models differ in terms of paper capacity and duty cycle.
As the DN suffix indicates, these models are Ethernet-ready and have standard automatic duplexing. PostScript and PCL are standard, and PDF and XPS files can be printed directly. All those features indicate that these are serious workgroup machines.

The processor runs at 533MHz on the FS-C5100DN and FS-C5200DN models. On the FS-C5300DN, it runs at 667MHz; 600MHz on the FS-C5350DN; and on the FS-C5400DN, it is 733MHz. Memory starts at 256MB, and it can be increased to a total of 1,280MB. A 40GB hard disk is optionally available on the FS-C5300DN, FS-C5350DN, and FS-C5400DN for $336. Aside from Ethernet, there is a standard USB port, as well as a USB port that can be used for printing from flash drives.

These models have respectable paper-handling capabilities. They support letter- and legal-size output. All models feature a standard 150-sheet multipurpose tray. The FS-C5100DN comes with a 250-sheet main tray, while the others have a standard 500-sheet paper tray. On the FS-C5100DN, you can add two 500-sheet trays for a maximum of 1,400 sheets. On the FS-C5200DN and FS-C5300DN, you can add up to three 500-sheet trays for a total of 2,150 sheets, while on the FS-C5350DN and FS-C5400DN, you can add a fourth 500-sheet tray. The multipurpose tray holds stock up to 120lb. index, while the other tray holds paper up to 28lb. bond in weight. Automatic duplexing, as noted above, is standard on all models.
Kyocera gives you a choice between two slightly different 500-sheet add-on paper drawers: one is called a “Multipurpose Feeder” ($399, each) and can handle card stock up to 120lb. index, labels, and coated stock. The other drawer type ($299, each) handles stock up to 28lb. bond. You can mix and match both drawer types.
On the output side, there is a 250-sheet tray, expanded to 500 sheets on the FS-C5400DN. We think that’s too little given the input capacity, but it’s typical in the industry.

Kyocera products typically feature impressive consumables costs, and these machines are no exceptions. These machines have four toner cartridges and a drum to replace. The black-and-white cost per page is very good for a color printer. For the FS-C5200DN, its cost runs at 1.8¢, while it costs around 2.1¢ for the FS-C5100DN. Cost per black-and-white page is around 1.3¢ on the FS-C5300DN, FS-C5350DN, and FS-C5400DN. Those costs would be very good for black-and-white-only printers, but among color printers, it’s extraordinary.

The color per-page costs are even better. While for the FS-C5100DN, color costs 12.7¢, it comes in at a little over 7¢ a page for the FS-C5200DN. The figure is around 5.8¢ for the FS-C5300DN and FS-C5350DN and 5.4¢ on the FS-C5400DN. At almost half the industry average for desktop color printing cost, that alone makes these printers standouts.

Like many Kyocera printers, these have a relatively high initial cost. But if you print a lot of pages, the value of the low cost per page will make a major difference. The official duty cycle given by Kyocera in two forms, the maximum and a range for recommended monthly use is:

• For the FS-C5100DN, 60,000 pages maximum, 1,000 to 5,000 recommended
• For the FS-C5200DN, 100,000 pages maximum, 2,000 to 7,500 recommended
• For the FS-C5300DN, 130,000 pages maximum, 2,500 to 10,000 recommended
• For the FS-C5350DN, 140,000 pages maximum, 2,500 to 10,000 recommended
• For the FS-C5400DN, 150,000 pages maximum, 3,000 to 30,000 recommended

Kyocera can provide accounting and remote administration utilities as well. It also boasts of excellent green credentials, thanks to the minimization of waste through high-capacity consumables.

If you plan to use the printer up to those volumes, and you need inexpensive black printing as much as color printing, these are great bets. Kyocera is usually the leader in total cost of operation, and these printers follow in the same tradition. We believe that these are very solid small to midsize workgroup printers, and they get our Editor’s Choice Award.

Sum-up: Outstanding per-page costs make these models stand out.

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