20 Multifunction Printers For Workgroups
Multifunction printers, devices that print, copy, scan, and fax, are growing in popularity for workgroups. Here are 20 worth considering.
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Multifunction printers--MFPs for short--are becoming increasingly popular. From 3Q 2009 to 3Q 2010, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, sales of color laser MFPs--machines that print, copy, scan, and fax--grew 21%. And last March, the research firm said in a release that "Overall, the worldwide hardcopy market continues to aggressively transition away from single function into the multifunction space."
Not all of those are enterprise-class machines, of course. Consumer-grade MFPs have found a place in many homes and home offices. But the appeal is the same for the enterprise or SMB workgroup--combining four functions in one device saves money, space, and support costs.
The challenge is to identify the right machine for your needs since just about every MFP vendor provides the basics. If all you care about is the basics, then price and vendor reputation and stability may be important factors for you to consider. Many IT managers view multifunction printers as commodities, but you will discover that some offer advanced or unique features that should be reviewed to see if they fit your needs or whether you are willing to pay extra for those features. Service and reliability are always important factors.
But just what is an "enterprise-class" MFP? It's hard to say. Printers are distributed throughout a site on a departmental or workgroup basis. So in identifying these 20 choices, we looked at their capabilities relative to where they might be deployed. We took into account duty cycle (the number of sheets the printer is rated to be able to churn out a month), paper handling capacity, print speed, and other factors that would take the device out of the home/home office realm. Must-have features includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-sheet copying and scanning; duplex printing (printing both sides of the sheet); and advanced networking capabilities.
Billed as "the world's fastest all-in-one"--by which they mean among inkjets, for 2-sided printing--the WorkForce 840 boasts Epson's instant-dry DuraBrite Ultra ink and high-capacity black cartridges for fewer ink changes. With its wireless capabilities, the WorkForce 840 can also print directly from iPhones, BlackBerrys, and other mobile devices.
Printing technology: inkjet
Price: $299
Paper capacity: 500 sheets
Paper trays: 2
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 30 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: N/A
B&W print speed: 15ppm; 7.4 ppm duplex
Color print speed: 9.3 ppm; 5.4 duplex
Max. print resolution: 5760 x 1440 optimized
Scan resolution: 1200x1200, 9600x9600 interpolated
Fax memory: Up to 180 pages
Speed Dials: 60
Connectivity options: USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
Best for: Small to midsize workgroups needing high-quality color
The venerable office equipment manufacturer delivers a well-rounded option in the MFC-9970CDW. It's possible to get high-yield toner cartridges to lower your cost of consumables. You can also use the Brother iPrint&Scan iOS and Android app for wireless printing of JPEGs and PDFs as well as wireless scanning to mobile devices.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $699.99
Paper capacity: 350 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 50-sheet multipurpose tray
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 pages
Monthly duty cycle: 60,000
B&W print speed: 30 ppm
Color print speed: 30 ppm
Max. print resolution: 2400x600
Scan resolution: 1200x2400; 19,200x19,200 interpolated
Fax memory: up to 500 pages
Speed Dials: 340
Connectivity options: WiFi, 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet, USB
Best for: Small to midsize workgroup
Speedy and compact, the LaserJet CM3530fs is suited to a relatively small group that does a lot of short-run printing. HP touts its "instant-on" feature that, the company claims, lets it complete a 3-5-page job in 40% less time than average. It also has a built-in stapler.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $2,999.00
Paper capacity: 350 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 100-sheet multipurpose
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50-sheet
Monthly duty cycle: 75,000
B&W print speed: 31 ppm
Color print speed: 31 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x600
Scan resolution: 600
Fax Speed: N/A
Fax memory: N/A
Speed Dials: 100
Connectivity options: USB, HP Jetdirect embedded print server for connecting to a 10/100Base-TX network
Best for: Small to midsize workgroup, high demand
In addition to its wireless networking capability, the Brother MFC-J6910DW also comes with embedded Web support. It uses Super High Yield ink cartridges that print up to 2,400 black and 1,200 color pages before needing replacement. It can also scan and print up to 11-x-17-inch documents.
Printing technology: inkjet
Price: $349.99
Paper capacity: 500 sheets
Paper trays: 2
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 35 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 5,000
B&W print speed: 35 ppm, 27 in fast mode
Color print speed: 12 ppm, 10 in fast mode
Max. print resolution: 6000x1200
Scan resolution: 2400x2400
Fax memory: 400 sheets
Speed Dials: 200
Connectivity options: WiFi, (Ethernet)
Best for: small workgroup
Oki packs a lot of functionality into the CX3641 MFP even before you connect it to a computer. Its touch screen lets users scan documents, edit them, and distribute them to network folders, email addresses, or FTP sites, all from the MFP. It also supports virtual printers--preset printing configurations specifying color matching, media selection, and more that can be automatically applied to a print job.
Printing technology: laser
Price: contact dealer
Paper capacity: 2,350 sheets
Paper trays: 2, plus 230-sheet manual feed
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 100 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 150,000
B&W print speed: 40 ppm
Color print speed: 36 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: N/A
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: USB, OkiLAN 10/100 Base-T Internal Ethernet Print Server
Best for: Large workgroups
Another inkjet, the Officejet Pro 8500A promises to save up to 50% on the cost of a color page compared to a laser printer. It also uses up to 80% less supplies by weight, claims HP. Its wireless connectivity means you can print "from anywhere, anytime" using a mobile device.
Printing technology: thermal inkjet
Price: $499.99
Paper capacity: 500 sheets
Paper trays: 2
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 15,000
B&W print speed: 35ppm draft, 15ppm full
Color print speed: 34 ppm draft, 11 ppm full
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200 black, 4800x1200
optimized color (on HP Advanced Photo Paper)
Scan resolution: 4800
Fax memory: 100 pages
Speed Dials: 75
Connectivity options: USB 2.0, Ethernet, WiFi
Best for: midsize workgroups
The Oki CX2633 MFP can handle tabloid-size scanning and printing--Oki claims it's the most compact and affordable wide-format MFP available. It can also print on media ranging from 3-x-5-inch cards to 4-foot-long banners, and the scanner can handle mixed-size originals. The operator panel lets you save scans to a networked PC, a mounted folder, or a USB device, or send them via fax or e-mail.
Printing technology: laser/LED
Price: Contact dealer
Paper capacity: 400
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 100-sheet multipurpose tray
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 letter-size or 25 tabloid sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 75,000
B&W print speed: 33 ppm
Color print speed: 26 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x600
Scan resolution: 600
Fax memory: 1,024 pages
Speed Dials: 500
Connectivity options: USB 2.0, parallel (printer only) and Ethernet 10/100 Base-T connectivity
Best for: mid to large workgroups
Canon bills the ImageRunner Advance C5051 as being suitable for small departments and workgroups, but its specs make that sound like an understatement. It's high-speed and high-capacity on both the scanning and the printing end. Canon's Access Management System supports user-based or role-based permissions to limit device access by function, and you can embed tracking information in a document to catch unauthorized copies.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $18,500
Paper capacity: 1,100m
Paper trays: 2, plus 100-sheet Stack Bypass
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 150 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: N/A
B&W print speed: 51 ppm
Color print speed: 51 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 6,000 pages
Speed Dials:
Connectivity options: USB, 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet
Best for: Medium to large departments and workgroups
The ImageRunner Advance C7065 would be enough for any large workgroup's printing and scanning needs. It provides two menus for streamlined workflow: a main menu for access to system functions, and a quick menu for customized combinations of routine actions. It also features Advanced Box, which lets you store files and access them from networked PCs or even other networked ImageRunner Advance MFPs.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $35,000
Paper capacity: 3,300 sheets
Paper trays: 2 drawers, 2 cassettes, plus 1 100-sheet
Stack Bypass
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 300 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: N/A
B&W print speed: 65 ppm
Color print speed: 60 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 10 GB
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: USB, 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet
Best for: Large workgroups
At the other end of the scale from the ImageRunner Advance models, Canon's Color ImageClass MF9220Cdn puts some high-end features into a modest-size system. Among them is Canon's User ID Management, which lets you monitor and restrict printout put by user. It also supports LDAP for sending scanned documents to networked users.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $1,495
Paper capacity: 350 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 100-sheet multipurpose
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 65,000
B&W print speed: 22 ppm
Color print speed: 22 ppm
Max. print resolution: 600x600
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 1,000 sheets
Speed Dials: 200
Connectivity options: USB Device 2.0 Hi-Speed, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet (Network)
Best for: small to medium workgroups
The main attraction of the WorkCenter 6400/X is its various workflow smoothing features. For example, it lets you copy, scan, and fax even while it's printing other jobs; it also supports "Print Around," which means that a print job that's held up for some reason won't block the entire print queue. It can send scans to email addresses or to a file server.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $3,999
Paper capacity: 600 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 100-sheet multipurpose; extra trays optional
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 120,000
B&W print speed: 37 ppm
Color print speed: 32 ppm
Max. print resolution: 2400x600
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: N/A
Speed Dials: 200
Connectivity options: USB (for print only), 10/100/1000 Base-TX Ethernet
Best for: Medium size workgroups
The Phaser 6180MFP/D is part of Xerox's line of solid-ink printers, which means it doesn't use ink cartridges or toner. Rather, it prints with melted crayon-like blocks, which makes reloading ink easier than with other types of printers. Since the solid ink sits on top of the printed surface, it also means that color is more consistent across media and pages. (It also means the ink can be scraped off the printed surface, so some care is required.)
Printing technology: solid ink
Price: $949
Paper capacity: 400 sheets
Paper trays: 2
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50
Monthly duty cycle: 60,000
B&W print speed: 31 ppm
Color print speed: 20 ppm
Max. print resolution: 2400x2400
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: N/A
Speed Dials: 200
Connectivity options: 10/100Base-TX Ethernet, USB
Best for: Best for high usage for small to medium jobs
Ricoh's Aficio printers have long been known for their high-quality color reproduction, and the MP C5000 continues in that tradition. In can print on up to 12-x-18-inch paper and up to 140# card stock. It has a built-in server for storing documents to print on demand, and an optional Mail-to-Print feature that lets you print a PDF or JPEG attachment via email.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $19,300
Paper capacity: 1,200 sheets
Paper trays: 2, plus 1 100-sheet Bypass Tray
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 100 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 500,000
B&W print speed: 50 ppm
Color print speed: 50 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 320 pages
Speed Dials: 2,000
Connectivity options: 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet, USB
Best for: Large workgroups, high demand, high quality
The Aficio MP C400SR is a capable MFP on specs, but its special appeal is its compact size--only 21.7 x 22.4 x 28 inches in its basic configuration. But for all that, it contains a Document Server that can hold up to 3,000 documents for quick retrieval and sharing. It also supports Ricoh's Embedded Software Architecture for creating custom workflows and automating standard processes.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $7,200
Paper capacity: 650 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 100-sheet bypass tray
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: N/A
B&W print speed: 42 ppm
Color print speed: 42 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200 (600x600 for PCL5c)
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 320 pages
Speed Dials: 2,000
Connectivity options: USB, 10/100Base-TX Ethernet
Best for: smaller workgroups
Lexmark has designed its X548dte for midsize workgroups who are most interested in straightforward productivity. You can distribute a scanned image to one of up to 30 personal or network folders, and store forms and other materials on the hard disk for on-demand printing. Lexmark Rewards members benefit from the Lifetime Pricing Guarantee that the cost of toner for their printer will stay the same for as long as they own it.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $1,749
Paper capacity: 900 sheets
Paper trays: 2, plus 1 100-sheet bypass feeder
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 pages
Monthly duty cycle: 85,000
B&W print speed: 25 ppm
Color print speed: 25 ppm
Max. print resolution: 1200x1200
Scan resolution: 300x300 color, 600x600 black
Fax memory: N/A
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: USB, 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet
Best for: midsize workgroups
With the X945e, Lexmark has focused on capacity first and foremost. You can load it with up to 3,140 sheets of paper, which it can churn through at up to 45 pages a minute. The scanner can send documents to email, FTP, network, a USB drive, or the fax. The company claims that you'll get 13,000 black pages and 12,000 color pages out of the toner cartridges it ships with, with replacement cartridges offering nearly two and three times that capacity.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $18,999
Paper capacity: 3,140 sheets
Paper trays: 4, plus 100-sheet bypass feeder
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 75 pages
Monthly duty cycle: 200,000
B&W print speed: 45 ppm
Color print speed: 40 ppm
Max. print resolution: "2400 image quality"
Scan resolution: 300x300 color, 600x600 black
Fax memory: N/A
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: USB, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Best for: large workgroups, department
Dell makes higher-capacity multifunction printers than the Color Laser 3115cn, but only in black and white. This system, while not suitable for a large department, will easily serve a small to midsize workgroup that needs color reproduction. It's particularly good as a modest document management front end, with the bundled Nuance PaperPort 10 software. The ColorTrack feature lets you create user or department accounts and enable or restrict printing options per account.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $899.99
Paper capacity: 400 sheets
Paper trays: 2
Duplex printing: Optional, $99
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 60,000
B&W print speed: 31 ppm
Color print speed: 17 ppm
Max. print resolution: 600x600, "2400 image quality"
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 128 MB
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: 10/100 BaseT Ethernet, USB
Best for: small to midsize workgroup
The fastest printer in this roundup, the TASKalfa 7550ci is almost more of a digital press than an office laser printer--it can even print up to a 4-foot banner. It comes with Command Center RX, an embedded Web page that lets you remotely check status, change settings, or access stored files. It also connects to SharePoint to let you scan documents into a SharePoint folder or print stored documents right from the control panel. The Capture2Go software provides mobile printing and scanning from iOS devices.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $39,545 as shown, including optional paper feeds and finisher
Paper capacity: 4,150 sheets
Paper trays: 5
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 270 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 400,000
B&W print speed: 75 ppm
Color print speed: 70 ppm
Max. print resolution: 600x600
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 12 MB
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: 10/100/1000 Base-TX Ethernet, USB
Best for: Large workgroups, high demand
Part of Kyocera's eCOSYS line of long life, low TCO printers, the FS-C2126MFP incorporates one of the company's extra-durable drums. Kyocera's print engine separates the toner from the drum--the drum can print up to 300,000 pages, and toner becomes the only consumable. The system incorporates Kyocera's PDF Direct Print software, enabling you to drag and drop a PDF file to the printer without having to open a viewing program.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $3,395
Paper capacity: 300 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 50-sheet multipurpose tray
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 50 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 85,000
B&W print speed: 28 ppm
Color print speed: 28 ppm
Max. print resolution: 600x600
Scan resolution: 600x600
Fax memory: 256 sheets
Speed Dials: N/A
Connectivity options: 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet, USB
Best for: small to midsize workgroups
The Sharp MX-2310U incorporates most of the features users have come to expect from high-end MFPs, making it a solid all-around choice. The ImageSend feature can distribute scanned documents to up to seven different locations. The Send-to-Group function lets you broadcast files simultaneously to email, fax, and Internet fax, while Inbound Fax Routing can convert incoming faxes to e-mail for distribution. Security features include user-number and username/password authentication.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $8,695
Paper capacity: 600 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 100-sheet bypass
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 100 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 100,000
B&W print speed: 23 ppm
Color print speed: 23 ppm
Max. print resolution: 600x600
Scan resolution: 600
Fax memory: 1 GB (shared)
Speed Dials: up to 999
Connectivity options: 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet, USB
Best for: medium to large workgroup
The Sharp MX-2310U incorporates most of the features users have come to expect from high-end MFPs, making it a solid all-around choice. The ImageSend feature can distribute scanned documents to up to seven different locations. The Send-to-Group function lets you broadcast files simultaneously to email, fax, and Internet fax, while Inbound Fax Routing can convert incoming faxes to e-mail for distribution. Security features include user-number and username/password authentication.
Printing technology: laser
Price: $8,695
Paper capacity: 600 sheets
Paper trays: 1, plus 1 100-sheet bypass
Duplex printing: Yes
Automatic Document Feeder: 100 sheets
Monthly duty cycle: 100,000
B&W print speed: 23 ppm
Color print speed: 23 ppm
Max. print resolution: 600x600
Scan resolution: 600
Fax memory: 1 GB (shared)
Speed Dials: up to 999
Connectivity options: 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet, USB
Best for: medium to large workgroup
Multifunction printers--MFPs for short--are becoming increasingly popular. From 3Q 2009 to 3Q 2010, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, sales of color laser MFPs--machines that print, copy, scan, and fax--grew 21%. And last March, the research firm said in a release that "Overall, the worldwide hardcopy market continues to aggressively transition away from single function into the multifunction space."
Not all of those are enterprise-class machines, of course. Consumer-grade MFPs have found a place in many homes and home offices. But the appeal is the same for the enterprise or SMB workgroup--combining four functions in one device saves money, space, and support costs.
The challenge is to identify the right machine for your needs since just about every MFP vendor provides the basics. If all you care about is the basics, then price and vendor reputation and stability may be important factors for you to consider. Many IT managers view multifunction printers as commodities, but you will discover that some offer advanced or unique features that should be reviewed to see if they fit your needs or whether you are willing to pay extra for those features. Service and reliability are always important factors.
But just what is an "enterprise-class" MFP? It's hard to say. Printers are distributed throughout a site on a departmental or workgroup basis. So in identifying these 20 choices, we looked at their capabilities relative to where they might be deployed. We took into account duty cycle (the number of sheets the printer is rated to be able to churn out a month), paper handling capacity, print speed, and other factors that would take the device out of the home/home office realm. Must-have features includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-sheet copying and scanning; duplex printing (printing both sides of the sheet); and advanced networking capabilities.
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