The Océ VarioLink 5522c prints and copies at 55ppm in black and 45ppm in color, while the VarioLink 6522c runs at 50ppm in color and 65ppm in black.

Both models offer standard copying, printing, and scanning, along with optional faxing. As with other Oce models, these have a large (8.5″) touchscreen control panel. Note that the control panel is tiltable by the user and supports several different positions. As a result, it meets Section 508 criteria for disabled user access. An optional keyboard is also available.

As with other Oce MFPs, these models have an LED-based display strip that shows current operating status, even from a distance. Most notably, it turns red when there is a problem (such as a paper jam or an empty paper supply). The point is that it’s immediately apparent to anyone passing by that there is a problem, and users can check the touchscreen for more detailed diagnostics.

The most important element is Oce’s print controller. The controller uses a 1GHz processor and comes with 2GB of memory and a 250GB hard disk drive. PostScript, PCL, and XPS support are standard. USB and Ethernet connectivity are supported.

Paper handling is a strong point. The machines have dual 500-sheet paper trays, a 1,000-sheet paper tray, and a 1,500-sheet feeder (letter-size only) — all standard. There’s also a 150-sheet bypass. That adds up to 3,650 sheets of standard input. You can add either a 2,500-sheet stacker that is adjustable from 8.5″ x 11″ to 12″ x 18″ paper size or a 3,000-sheet stacker (letter-size input only). That brings the maximum input to 6,650 sheets.

Duplex printing and copying are standard. The MFP can handle paper up to 140lb. index. The main trays and bypass handle paper up to 12″ x 18″ in size. These machines also have an optional banner-size feeder, so you can print up to 11.75″ x 47.25″, useful for signage, for example.

There is a post-process inserter which allows you to insert preprinted materials, including covers and separators.

These models come with a standard reversing 100-sheet document feeder. The feeder handles paper up to 11″ x 17. There’s also a flatbed platen.

On the output side, there is a simple 250-sheet exit tray. The finisher for these models holds 3,100 sheets and features 100-sheet multiposition stapling. Adding a booklet maker unit with saddlestitching to the finisher allows you to create booklets from up to 20 sheets (80 pages). An optional 2/3-hole punch works with either configuration. A Z-fold unit is also available.

The machines support scan-once/print-many copying and full electronic collation. They also have what Oce calls its User Box feature. It allows you to store scanned documents on the models’ hard drive using a series of mailboxes. Up to 1,000 user boxes are supported.

These models include scanning to email and user boxes, as well as scan-to-folder, to USB flash drive, and to FTP. LDAP is supported; Internet faxing is standard, as is PC faxing and fax-to-IP address. Optional analog faxing includes a 33.6kbps modem and JBIG compression.

Security features are extensive. They include hard disk encryption, job encryption, watermarks, IP filtering, secure print, and secure fax. For added security, there is also an optional biometric access feature that allows for fingerprint-based authorization. There’s also an optional ID card unit.

An optional Fiery IC-412 controller from EFI is also available. This controller has a 1.86GHz processor, 512MB of memory, and an 80GB hard disk drive. It includes true Adobe PostScript. It includes basic EFI tools for color control and job management, There are optional tools for imposition, workflow, and advanced color,

As with earlier models, the design of these models (all in black) is a relief from the usual dull platinum gray or beige. Oce is not the first company to come out with handsome designs, but it has systematically introduced them through its own color copier line.

The VarioLink 5522c is rated for a monthly duty cycle of 250,000, while the VarioLink 6522c is rated for 300,000 pages.

Conclusion: These are impressive models, offering speed and impressive paper-handling capacities at affordable prices. In these market segments, these are very strong contenders. It’s clear to us that they are deserving of our Editor’s Choice Award.

Check out the VarioLink 5522c and 6522c here!

Sum-up: A low-cost entry-level color laser MFP with some nice features.

The 1235cn Multifunction Color Laser Printer is Dell’s new entry-level color laser MFP. Priced at $399, it is suited to an individual user or a small workgroup. As you would expect for the low price, the features are on the modest side, but they go well beyond the minimal.

It has a slow color speed, 4ppm, with a pretty good 17ppm black output speed. This model comes with standard printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.

The paper supply is a standard 150-sheet tray. The output tray holds 80 sheets. There’s a 15-sheet document feeder and a flatbed platen.

The 1235cn has a 360MHz processor and comes with 128MB of non-expandable memory. Dell claims a 20,000 page-per-month duty cycle for the unit. By our reckoning, a sensible average monthly use is 1,500 to 2,500 pages.

This model is Ethernet-ready and also includes a USB port. Another USB can accept USB flash drives or PictBridge interfaces.

Printing is host-based only. Note that, like other Dell MFPs, the 1235cn works with Windows and Mac machines. Color scan to file is standard, along with scan-to-USB, scan-to-email, and to network. Color faxing features both JBIG and JPEG compression. There is 2MB of dedicated fax memory. PC fax (send only in black-and-white) is supported as well.

Printing is quiet at 49dB. There’s a 2-line LCD panel. These machines have an elegant black design.

Cost per page is estimated by Dell as being 3.9 cents in black, 19.4 cents in color.

The 1235cn Multifunction Color Laser is a solid choice for a small office that needs a little color. Its low price and impressive features are reasons we give it our Editor’s Choice Award.

Check out the Dell 1235cn here!

Laser: Prints at 21ppm black, 21ppm color

Sum-up: Powerful small to midsize workgroup MFP with solid features.

Priced at $749, Dell’s 2145cn Multifunction Color Laser Printer offers 21ppm printing and copying in both color and black-and-white. It is aimed at a busy small workgroup, supporting standard print, scan, copy, and fax functions.

The standard paper supply is a 250-sheet tray plus a 100-sheet bypass tray. You can also add a 500-sheet tray. There’s a 170-sheet output tray. Automatic duplexing is standard. The bypass tray can handle paper up to 43lb. bond (90lb. index).

This model has a 50-page duplexing automatic document feeder (DADF) so that you can scan two-sided documents in one pass. A flatbed platen is also included.

This model is Ethernet-ready and also includes a USB port. There’s also a USB port for a flash drive.

The 2145cn comes with a 360MHz processor. Memory starts at 256MB and is expandable to 512MB. There’s an optional 80GB hard drive. The duty cycle is specified at 65,000 pages per month. Based on whatss typical in the industry, we’d estimate that a 5,000 to 7,000 page-per-month average use would be appropriate.

The 2145cn comes with standard PCL and PostScript printing support. Color scanning to email, to network folder, to FTP, and flash drive are all standard. LDAP addressing is supported. Scanned files can be produced in PDF, TIFF, JPEG, and BMP formats.

Monochrome and color faxing using JBIG and JPEG compression are standard. The fax modem runs at 33.6kbps and there is 4MB of fax memory.

This machine works with Windows, Mac, and Linux machines.

Cost per page is estimated by Dell as being as low as 2.7 cents in black, 12.9 cents in color, if you choose high-capacity toner cartridges based on street prices we’ve been able to find.

The Dell 2145cn Multifunction Color Laser Printer earns our Editor’s Choice Award Multifunction Color Laser Printer

Take a closer look at the Dell 2145cn here!