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PRINT.IT
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www.binfo.co.uk
Which model
is best for
you?
MXC-300W
n
built-in wireless
connectivity
n
faster print speed: 30ppm
versus 25ppm
n
better automatic
document feeder: 50-page
capacity (compared to 35
pages on the MX-C250F)
with automatic page
reversal for two-sided
copying and scanning
MXC-250
n
cheaper: £2,995 vs
£3,395
n
lower TEC rating of 1.65
versus 1.92kWh
they are too highly featured,
only come in floor-standing
configurations and cost more
than some people want to pay.”
Business class
In response to feedback from
customers and dealers, Sharp
has strengthened its range
with the Sharp MX-C250F and
MX-C300W 4-in-1 MFPs.
Suitable for use by
individuals or teams of up to
5 people, these desktop A4
devices have fast print/copy
speeds of 25 and 30 pages
per minute for both mono and
colour output; colour scan-
to-email, FTP server, network
folder, desktop or USB; Super
G3 fax; a time-saving automatic
document feeder; maximum
paper capacity of 800 sheets;
and Print from/Scan to
removable USB storage.
Both are network devices,
but the MX-C300W has the
added benefit of built-in
wireless LAN connectivity
making it especially useful for
businesses with hot desking
and flexible working policies
and mobile employees.
To keep costs down, neither
has the premium features
found on the MX-C312 or MX-
C381, such as a hard disk or
large LCD touchscreen. Nor are
they Sharp OSA-compatible,
which means that they can’t
be used with document and
workflow solutions, such as
Follow-Me printing, or be fully
integrated with enterprise
applications with one-touch
scanning into a document
management system, say.
Instead, scans must be routed
to other applications via a PC.
That said, the MFPs do
come with essential business-
class security features, such
as IPsec data encryption and
PIN-based user authentication
so that they can only be
used by authorised users.
Business-class reliability and
performance in a space-saving
desktop design.
Administrators can restrict
user’s access to specific
features and apply print quotas
to keep colour print/copy costs
under control. If necessary,
they can also disable individual
features, such as the Direct
USB port.
Another way in which the
Sharp MX-C250F and MX-
C300W are true business-
class devices is that the only
consumable the customer
needs to change is paper.
Everything else, says Primett,
is looked after by a service
engineer.
“A lot of products in this
space are home user-type
machines that have been built
up for the office environment:
99.9% of the time you buy a
machine on a meter click yet
are still expected to change
the drum and developer
yourselves. The MX-C250F
and MX-C300W are different.
Designed exclusively for office
environments, they are reliable,
service-based machines that
have the same maintenance
cycle as a large A3 machine.
When the engineer comes in to
service your A3 machines, he
will maintain your A4 desktops
as well.”
Conclusion
With the introduction of the
Sharp MX-C250F and
MX-C300W, Sharp now has
a competitive A4 colour MFP
to meet any need. For larger
workgroups or businesses that
require sophisticated workflow
capabilities, it offers the OSA-
enabled MX-C312 or MX-C381;
and for smaller businesses/
workgroups with simpler
requirements and smaller
budgets, it offers the Sharp
MX-C250F and MX-C300W.
For more information on this or any
Sharp product please email:
[email protected] or visit us at:
www.sharp.co.uk