Ricoh Aficio 2060SP versus Xerox WorkCentre Pro 165



Konica Minolta magicolor 8650DN versus Hewlett Packard Color LaserJet CP6015dn

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Competitive Model: Hewlett Packard Color LaserJet CP6015dn

The Hewlett Packard Color LaserJet CP6015dn printer runs at an advertised speed of 40 ppm in both colour and black. The device comes standard with duplexing and network connectivity via Ethernet, USB 2.0 and EIO slots. It includes an 835-MHz processor and 512 MB of RAM that is upgradeable to a maximum of 1 GB. A 40-GB hard disk drive is optional. Standard paper capacity is 600 sheets from two paper sources, upgradeable to a maximum of 2,100 sheets from up to five paper sources, plus a 100-sheet bypass tray. The device handles media weights up to 220 gsm through its standard paper drawers and bypass tray.

Highlights of the magicolor 8650DN

Award-Winning Feature Set

The Konica Minolta magicolor 8650DN printer runs at an advertised speed of 35 ppm in colour and in black. The device comes standard with duplexing and network connectivity via 10/100/1000BaseTX Ethernet and USB 2.0. It includes a 1-GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM. A 60-GB hard disk drive is optional. Standard paper capacity is 1,150 sheets from three paper sources, upgradeable to a maximum of 3,650 sheets from up to six paper sources, plus a 150-sheet bypass tray. The device handles media weights up to 256 gsm through its standard paper drawers and up to 271 gsm through its bypass tray.

When BLI selected the magicolor 8650DN as “Outstanding Large Workgroup Colour Printer” in Spring 2008, reasons cited included “its outstanding performance in BLI’s evaluation,” including “excellent ease of use” and recognizing the printer’s “graphical print drivers and Status Monitor utility, which keeps users informed of supplies status and error conditions. It also enables users to print PDF and XPS files directly from the Web utility.”

The magicolor 8650DN offers numerous advantages over the Color LaserJet CP6015dn, including:

• Significantly lower purchase price. The street price for the magicolor 8650DN is significantly lower than that of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn. This leaves buyers of the magicolor 8650DN with much more money in their budgets that can be allocated elsewhere.

• Precise colour matching capability. Only the magicolor 8650DN offers colour matching tools for formats including eAIDC, ICC, SWOP, Commercial, SNAP, EuroColour, DIC and TOYO colour matching. These allow users of the magicolor 8650DN to match colours precisely for colour-critical output such as corporate logos. There are no similar colour-matching tools available to users of the HP Color LaserJet CP6015dn.

• “Highly Recommended” by Buyers Laboratory. BLI’s Lab Test Report on the magicolor 8650DN awarded it the highest possible rating given (“Highly Recommended”).

Superior Paper Handling

The magicolor 8650DN’s robust paper-handling capabilities make it an excellent fit in a wide variety of environments, even in workplaces where heavy paper stock is routinely used. Its advantages over the Color LaserJet CP6015dn include:

• Higher standard paper capacity. The magicolor 8650DN starts with a standard paper capacity of 1,150 sheets – almost double the 600-sheet standard paper capacity on the Color LaserJet CP6015dn. This allows the device to run longer without requiring users to stop what they’re doing to add more paper to the machine. (See Chart 1.)

• Higher maximum paper capacity. The paper capacity on the magicolor 8650DN can be upgraded to a maximum of 3,650 sheets, while in contrast the Color LaserJet CP6015dn cannot be upgraded to handle more than 2,100 sheets total. In busy environments, this could mean that users of the magicolor 8650DN spend less time resupplying paper and more time doing the jobs they’re paid to do. (See Chart 2.)

• More standard paper sources. The magicolor 8650DN’s three standard paper sources allow users more flexibility in the types of paper they keep on hand. For example, letterhead can be stored in one drawer of the magicolor 8650DN, high-quality presentation paper can be stored in another drawer, and draft-quality everyday usage paper can be stored in the main default drawer. Not only does this reduce the amount of time users spend stocking and reloading paper, but it can also save money on paper costs. The Color LaserJet CP6015dn includes only two standard paper sources to draw from.

• Handles heavier paper weights through the main drawers. Users of the magicolor 8650DN can load media weights up to 256 gsm into any of its main paper drawers, allowing a much wider range of media types than on the Color LaserJet CP6015dn, which limits users to media weights up to only 220 gsm through its main paper drawers.

• Handles heavier paper weights through the bypass tray. The bypass tray on the magicolor 8650DN can handle media weights up to 271 gsm. In contrast, the Color LaserJet CP6015dn can’t handle media weights heavier than 220 gsm. This could limit the usefulness of the bypass tray for users of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn.

• Higher capacity bypass tray. The magicolor 8650DN’s bypass tray has a capacity of 150 sheets – 50% higher than the 100-sheet capacity of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn’s bypass tray. (See Chart 3.)

• More paper sources per job. The magicolor 8650DN allows users to draw from up to four paper sources per job, while in contrast users of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn can’t use more than two paper sources in any one job.

Productivity-Enhancing Features

The magicolor 8650DN offers significant productivity-enhancing advantages over the Color LaserJet CP6015dn, including:

• Faster print processor. Fast print processors allow the device to process even complex jobs more efficiently, and the magicolor 8650DN offers 1 GHz of processing power, while in contrast the processor on the Color LaserJet CP6015dn runs slower at only 835 MHz.

• Higher standard memory capacity. The magicolor 8650DN ships standard with 1 GB of memory, while in contrast the Color LaserJet CP6015dn offers half that memory standard (512 MB). Users of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn who want 1 GB memory must pay for it as an option. (See Chart 4.)

• Higher capacity hard disk drive. The hard disk drive available for the magicolor 8650DN has a storage capacity of 60 GB – 50% more than the 40-GB hard disk drive available for the Color LaserJet CP6015dn. (See Chart 5.)

• Faster tested first-print time. When BLI conducted productivity tests on both devices, the magicolor 8650DN produced its first print from energy-save mode in only 58.41 seconds, while it took the Color LaserJet CP6015dn more than twice as long (2 minutes, 33.36 seconds) to complete the same task. First-print time is especially significant to productivity in offices where users print many short documents. (See Chart 6.)

• Overlay functionality streamlining forms printing. The magicolor 8650DN’s PCL printer driver includes an overlay feature which allows user to store commonly used forms and other background templates in a post-ripped format, reducing the processing demands. The HP CP6015dn does not include an overlay capability, forcing users to send jobs with all repeat image data, which can reduce processing efficiency.

• Wider range of finishing options. Buyers of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn have only two finishing options to choose from (either a three-bin stapler/stacker or a booklet maker/finisher). In contrast, the magicolor 8650DN offers an optional four-bin mailbox; a staple finisher option; a floor finisher option; and an optional saddle-stitch booklet finisher. This allows users to select the finisher best suited to the needs of their unique environment.

Excellent Ease of Use

Ease of use is a critical factor in predicting how well a device will do in a busy work environment. The easier a printer is to use, the less time will be wasted as users attempt to figure out how to perform routine maintenance and servicing issues. The magicolor 8650DN’s ease of use was rated “Excellent” (the highest possible rating) by BLI, and its user-friendly design features include:

• Simple installation: The magicolor 8650DN ships with both the PCL 6 and PostScript 3 drivers. In contrast, the Color LaserJet CP6015dn ships only with the PCL 6 print driver. Users who need PostScript 3 must take the additional step of downloading it from HP’s Web site. According to BLI’s Lab Test Report on the magicolor 8650DN, “Setup is as simple as connecting the printer and inserting the CD into the drive; users will be up and running in minutes. Moreover, the drivers automatically detect optional accessories. Further simplifying set up, the magicolor 8650DN ships with the starter cartridges pre-installed.”

• Graphical print drivers look and feel the same. According to BLI’s Lab Test Report on the magicolor 8650DN, “The drivers are very graphical and provide selections for most of the commonly used features on the main screen. Furthermore, the drivers are almost identical in layout, which enhances ease of use in environments where both are utilised.”

• Easy misfeed clearing. According to the BLI Lab Test Report on the magicolor 8650DN, “The unit offers straightforward procedures for loading paper and removing misfeeds.”

• Simple toner replacement. BLI’s Lab Test Report on the magicolor 8650DN states, “Procedures for replacing the print cartridges and imaging units are clean and straightforward; users simply open the front of the magicolor 8650DN and slide out the consumable that needs to be replaced.”

Strengths of the magicolor 8650DN:

BLI’s Lab Test Report on the magicolor 8650DN offered high praise for the device, singling it out as noteworthy for features including:

• Highly reliable.

• Priced lower than average for competitive models.

• Standard automatic duplexing.

• Above average darkness and smoothness of text.

• Above average production of circles and closely spaced fine lines.

• Bright colours in charts and graphs.

• Above average smoothness in photographic output.

• Colour remained consistent throughout testing.

• Above average black job stream performance from the PCL driver.

• Direct printing of PDF, XPS and other files.

• Highly automated installation.

• Pop-up messages, icon alerts and e-mail alerts keep users informed of status information.

• Drawers accommodate up to 256 gsm and the bypass even up to 271 gsm.

• Tested toner yields for all four colours among the highest in its class.

• Optional 60-GB hard drive and encryption kit available.

From BLI’s Lab Test Report.

[SIDE BAR]

Shortcomings of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn:

When compared against the magicolor 8650DN, the Color LaserJet CP6015dn has the following weaknesses:

• Higher purchase price.

• Lower standard memory.

• Lower hard disk drive capacity.

• Fewer standard paper sources.

• Lower standard and maximum paper capacities.

• Handles lower maximum paper weights through the main drawers.

• Handles lower maximum paper weights through the bypass tray.

• Bypass tray handles 50% fewer sheets.

• Overlay capability is not available.

• Users can draw from up to two paper sources per job (versus four on the magicolor 8650DN).

Strengths of the Color LaserJet CP6015dn:

The Color LaserJet CP6015dn has a number of competitive features that the Hewlett Packard sales force will surely present to potential buyers. Don’t be caught off-guard. Here are some examples of what a Hewlett Packard dealer may say – and how you can respond in order to stress the magicolor 8650DN’s many advantages:

Faster rated engine speed:

What They’ll Say:

The Color LaserJet CP6015dn runs at a rated engine speed of 45 ppm in black, while the magicolor 8650DN is slower, with an engine speed rated at only 35 ppm in black.

How to Respond:

In BLI laboratory tests the magicolor 8650DN proved more efficient when printing in black mode. (Efficiency rate is the percentage of rated engine speed at which the device performs; the closer the number is to 100% the more efficient the machine.) This efficiency rate advantage was evident in both simplex and duplex print testing when using the print drivers bundled with the test devices according to bliQ. Because the majority of typical office documents are printed in black mode to save on supplies costs, the magicolor 8650DN is probably the more productive unit overall.

Higher maximum monthly duty cycle:

What They’ll Say:

The Color LaserJet CP6015dn’s maximum monthly duty cycle is 175,000 impressions, while in contrast the magicolor 8650DN’s maximum monthly duty cycle is lower at only 150,000 impressions.

How to Respond:

Very few print environments will ever approach the maximum monthly duty cycle of their printers. In environments where a large number of documents are printed, the lower cost per page in both black and colour of the magicolor 8650DN more than outweighs a difference in maximum monthly duty cycles that amounts to only about 10%.

Summing Up

The magicolor 8650DN offers the features and functionality that work in a wide range of office environments, from workgroups to graphic environments that need advanced colour matching tools. Its advantages over the Color LaserJet CP6015dn include a higher paper capacity; the ability to handle heavier paper weights through the main drawers and bypass tray; and a lower purchase price (most markets). The magicolor 8650DN is an excellent, cost-effective solution for many different kinds of environments needing an easy to use, reliable and cost-efficient colour printer.

Specifications at a Glance

| |Konica Minolta magicolor 8650DN |Hewlett Packard Color LaserJet CP6015dn |

|Domestic Intro Date |January 2008 |April 2008 |

|Rated Engine Speed |35 ppm black/35 ppm colour |40 ppm black/40 ppm colour |

|Print Processor Speed |1 GHz |836 MHz |

|Standard Memory |1 GB |512 MB |

|Max. Memory |1 GB |1 GB |

|Hard Disk Drive Capacity |60 GB |40 GB |

|Std. Paper Capacity |1,150 sheets |600 sheets |

|Max. Paper Capacity |3,650 sheets |2,100 sheets |

|Bypass Capacity |150 sheets |100 sheets |

|Max. Monthly Duty Cycle |150,000 impressions |175,000 impressions |

|Standard Paper Sources |3 |2 |

|Max. Paper Weights (main drawers) |256 gsm |220 gsm |

|Max. Paper Weights (bypass) |271 gsm |220 gsm |

|Resident Fonts |81 PCL, 136 PostScript |93 HP font set |

[charts]

Chart 1: Standard Paper Capacity

magicolor 8650DN 1,150 sheets

Color LaserJet CP6015dn 600 sheets

Chart 2: Maximum Paper Capacity

magicolor 8650DN 3,650 sheets

Color LaserJet CP6015dn 2,100 sheets

Chart 3: Bypass Tray Capacity

magicolor 8650DN 150 sheets

Color LaserJet CP6015dn 100 sheets

Chart 4: Standard Memory Capacity

magicolor 8650DN 1,024 MB

Color LaserJet CP6015dn 512 MB

Chart 5: Hard Disk Drive Capacity

magicolor 8650DN 60 GB

Color LaserJet CP6015dn 40 GB

Chart 6: First-Print Time From Energy Save Mode*

magicolor 8650DN 58.41 seconds

Color LaserJet CP6015dn 153.36 seconds

*As tested by Buyers Laboratory Inc.

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