Ricoh Aficio 2060SP versus Xerox WorkCentre Pro 165



Konica Minolta magicolor 8650DN versus Xerox Phaser 7760DN

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Competitive Model: Xerox Phaser 7760DN

The Xerox Phaser 7760DN printer runs at an advertised speed of 35 ppm in color and 45 ppm in black. The device comes standard with duplexing and network connectivity via 10/100/1000BaseTX Ethernet and USB 2.0 and has an MSRP of $6,299. It includes an 800-MHz processor and 512 MB of RAM which is upgradeable to a maximum of 1 GB, and a 40-GB hard disk drive. Print resolution is 1200 x 600 dpi. Standard paper capacity is 650 sheets from two paper sources, upgradeable to a maximum of 3,150 sheets from up to five paper sources, plus a 150-sheet bypass tray. The device handles media weights up to 80-lb. cover/219 gsm through its standard paper drawers. The bypass tray handles weights up to 90-lb. cover/243 gsm.

Highlights of the magicolor 8650DN

Award-Winning Feature Set

The Konica Minolta magicolor 8650DN printer runs at an advertised speed of 35 ppm in color and in black. The device comes standard with duplexing and network connectivity via 10/100/1000BaseTX Ethernet and USB 2.0 and has an MSRP of $3,699. It includes a 1-GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM. A 60-GB hard disk drive is optional. Print resolution can be enhanced to a maximum of 1800 x 600 dpi. 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 100-lb. cover/270 gsm through its standard paper drawers.

The magicolor 8650DN offers numerous advantages over the Phaser 7760DN, including:

• BLI “Pick” Award winner as “Outstanding Large Workgroup Color Printer” (Spring 2008). When BLI selected the magicolor 8650DN as “Outstanding Large Workgroup Color Printer, reasons cited included “its outstanding performance in BLI’s evaluation,” including “excellent ease of use” 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.”

• Significantly lower purchase price. The MSRP for the magicolor 8650DN is $3,699, while the Phaser 7760DN’s MSRP is almost twice that, at $6,299. This leaves buyers of the magicolor 8650DN with much more money in their budgets that can be allocated elsewhere.

• Lower black supplies cost per page. According to BLI Lab Test Reports, the magicolor 8650DN’s black supplies cost per page is 1.382 cents, while in contrast black supplies costs are higher at 1.800 cents per page for the Phaser 7760DN. This means that users of the magicolor 8650DN save money on the majority of the pages they print, over the lifetime of the printer.

• Higher enhanced print resolution. On the Phaser 7760DN, print resolution cannot be enhanced beyond 1200 x 600 dpi. In contrast, the print resolution of the magicolor 8650DN can be enhanced up to 1800 x 600 dpi. This enables crystal-clear output, even in fine lines and highly detailed graphics.

• Precise color matching capability. While both printers allow for Pantone and ICC color management capabilities, only the magicolor 8650DN allows users to match EuroColor, DIC and TOYO color matching. These allow users of the magicolor 8650DN to match colors precisely for color-critical output such as corporate logos.

• Range of useful standard utilities. PageScope Web Connection lets users check device conditions on all network-connected Konica Minolta printers and copiers directly from their desktop PCs. PageScope Net Care Device Manager provides network administrators with detailed information about operating conditions on all output devices containing a Management Information Base (MIB) on a network from any Web browser. Optional utilities are also available to handle a wide range of applications including document management and OCR, variable data printing, file format conversion, imposition, routing and bill-back. A plug-in is also available allowing the device to work with HP’s popular Web JetAdmin administrative utility.

• “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 Phaser 7760DN include:

• Higher standard paper capacity. The magicolor 8650DN starts with a standard paper capacity of 1,150 sheets – almost double the 650-sheet standard paper capacity on the Phaser 7760DN. 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 Phaser 7760DN cannot be upgraded to handle more than 3,150 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.

• 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.

• Handles heavier paper weights through the main drawers. Users of the magicolor 8650DN can load media weights up to 100-lb. cover stock/270 gsm through its bypass and up to 100-lb./256- gsm through its main paper drawers, allowing a much wider range of media types than on the Phaser 7760DN, which limits users to media weights up to only 80-lb. cover/219 gsm. Users of the Phaser 7760DN can only use the bypass tray to handle media weight up to 90-lb. cover/243 gsm. Consequently, users of the Phaser 7760DN needing to print color covers, business cards, brochures or other materials on heavy card stock may find they are reloading media every few minutes, making the process very labor-intensive, versus the magicolor 8650DN which can accommodate card stock from every drawer.

• Bypass tray handles wider range of paper weights. The bypass tray on the magicolor 8650DN can handle media weights ranging from 16-lb. bond/60 gsm to 100-lb. cover/270 gsm. In contrast, the Phaser 7760DN can’t handle media weights lighter than 20-lb. bond/75 gsm or heavier than 90-lb. cover/244 gsm. This could limit the usefulness of the bypass tray for users of the Phaser 7760DN.

Productivity-Enhancing Features

The magicolor 8650DN offers significant productivity-enhancing advantages over the Phaser 7760DN, 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 Phaser 7760DN runs slower at only 800 MHz.

• Higher standard memory capacity. The magicolor 8650DN ships standard with 1 GB of memory, while in contrast the Phaser 7760DN offers half that memory standard (512 MB). Users of the Phaser 7760DN who want 1 GB memory must pay for it as an option. (See Chart 2.)

• Hard disk drive offers higher capacity. 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 Phaser 7760DN. (See Chart 3.)

• Higher tested duplex print efficiency (black mode). When BLI conducted productivity tests on both devices using the PostScript 3 driver in duplex mode, the magicolor 8650DN proved more efficient than the Phaser 7760DN with an overall duplex printer efficiency rate of 71.1% versus a rate of only 64.1% for the Phaser 7760DN. Considering that most draft documents are printed in duplex mode (which saves on paper consumption), this productivity advantage is particularly important. (See Chart 4.)

• Higher tested duplex print efficiency (color mode). The magicolor 8650DN displayed a similar advantage when printing in full-color mode, with a tested overall duplex print efficiency rate of 70.9% versus a rate of only 64.1% for the Phaser 7760DN.

• Lower file sizes keep network bandwidth low. Large print files can stress network bandwidth, potentially reducing productivity for an entire workgroup or office environment. In BLI testing, the magicolor 8650DN produced lower file sizes than the Phaser 7760DN when printing identical documents in PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat applications.

• Better finishing options. Only the magicolor 8650DN offers an optional four-bin mailbox, which sorts output into easy categories so that users don’t have to sort through other people’s print jobs in order to find their own work. There is no comparable option available for the Phaser 7760DN.

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: 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 utilized.”

• 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; black cost per page is 16.8 percent lower than average.

• Standard automatic duplexing.

• Above average darkness and smoothness of text.

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

• Bright colors in charts and graphs.

• Above average smoothness in photographic output.

• Color 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 100-lb./256 gsm and the bypass even up to 140-lb. index/270 gsm.

• Tested toner yields for all four colors 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 Phaser 7760DN:

When compared against the magicolor 8650DN, the Phaser 7760DN has the following weaknesses:

• Higher MSRP.

• Higher supplies cost per page in black.

• Lower standard memory.

• Lower hard disk drive capacity.

• Lower print resolution.

• Fewer standard paper sources.

• Lower standard and maximum paper capacities.

• Can’t handle heavy paper weights through the main drawers.

• Handles lower maximum paper weights through the bypass tray.

• Overlay capability is not available for the PostScript print driver.

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

• Print resolution is only 1200 x 600 dpi. In contrast, the magicolor 8650DN’s resolution can be enhanced up to 1800 x 600 dpi.

Strengths of the Phaser 7760DN:

The Phaser 7760DN has a number of competitive features that the Xerox sales force will surely present to potential buyers. Don’t be caught off-guard. Here are some examples of what a Xerox 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 Phaser 7760DN runs at a rated engine speed of 45 ppm in black, while in contrast 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 duplex mode. This advantage was evident in both black and color print testing. Because the majority of typical office documents are printed in duplex to save paper, the magicolor 8650DN is probably the more productive unit overall.

Standard hard disk drive:

What They’ll Say:

The Phaser 7760DN includes a 40-GB hard disk drive standard, while on the magicolor 8650DN that is an optional upgrade.

How to Respond:

Users of the magicolor 8650DN who don’t need a hard disk drive don’t have to pay for one. For those that do need hard disk drive storage, the magicolor 8650DN’s hard drive has a storage capacity that is 50% higher than that of the Phaser 7760DN (60 GB versus 40 GB).

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 color matching tools. Its advantages over the Phaser 7760DN include a higher paper capacity; the ability to handle heavier paper weights through the main drawers and document feeder; winner of the BLI “Pick” Award winner as “Outstanding Large Workgroup Color Printer (Spring 2008); and lower cost per page. The magicolor 8650DN is an excellent, cost-effective solution for many different kinds of environments needing an easy to use, reliable and cost-efficient color printer.

Specifications at a Glance

| |Konica Minolta magicolor 8650DN |Xerox Phaser 7760DN |

|Domestic Intro Date |January 2008 |May 2006 |

|Rated Engine Speed |35 ppm black/35 ppm color |45 ppm black/35 ppm color |

|MSRP |$3,699 |$6,299 |

|Print Processor Speed |1 GHz |800 MHz |

|Standard Memory |1 GB |512 MB |

|Max. Memory |1 GB |1 GB |

|Hard Disk Drive Capacity |60 GB (optional) |40 GB |

|Max. Enhanced Print Resolution |1800 x 600 dpi |1200 x 600 dpi |

|Std. Paper Capacity |1,150 sheets |650 sheets |

|Max. Paper Capacity |3,650 sheets |3,150 sheets |

|Bypass Capacity |150 sheets |150 sheets |

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

|Standard Paper Sources |3 |2 |

|Max. Paper Weights (main drawers) |100-lb. cover |80-lb. cover |

|Max. Paper Weights (bypass) |140-lb. cover |90-lb. cover |

|Mailbin Fnisher |Optional |Not available |

[charts]

Chart 1: Standard Tray Capacity (in sheets)

magicolor 8650DN 1,150

Phaser 7760DN 650

Chart 2: Standard RAM

magicolor 8650DN 1,024 MB

Phaser 7760DN 512 MB

Chart 3: Hard Disk Drive Capacity

magicolor 8650DN 60 GB (optional)

Phaser 7760DN 40 GB

Chart 4: Tested Duplex Print Efficiency (black mode)*

magicolor 8650DN 71.1%

Phaser 7760DN 64.1%

*As tested by Buyers Laboratory Inc.

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