Ricoh MP 5500 Printer Review
The Ricoh MP 5500 seems incredibly large compared to many other all-in-one laser devices. Weighing over 450 pounds and measuring 27.2x31.1x45.7 inches, this machine offers printing, scanning, and copying capabilities, as well as optional fax functions. Monochromatic in nature, its operational costs are minimized by fast production rates, a modular design, and high-yielding Ricoh MP 5500 toner cartridges.
First and foremost, the MP 5500 is extremely fast in all aspects. When the machine is turned on, it takes only 30 seconds to warm up. A print or copy job will begin printing the first page in less than 5 seconds. After that, up to 55 pages per minute can be produced with sharp text and a professional quality (at a 1200x1200 dpi resolution). When scanning, up to 75 pages can be processed per minute. The scanner also offers single-pass duplex, or dual-sided, scanning. If users choose to add the fax function, the Super G3 transmission speed allows faxes to be sent or received in as little as 2 seconds.
As many as 300,000 pages can be printed by this machine each month and each Ricoh MP 5500 toner cartridge can yield up to 43,000 pages. When users need to purchase replacement toners, there are a few different options. Ricoh MP 5500 toner can be bought directly from the printer's manufacturer, or users can search online for certified vendors with more competitive pricing.
Besides faxing, there are a number of optional additions for this unit. It is designed to be network-ready, but a wireless connection can be added. The standard paper capacity is 4,300 pages, but this can be expanded up to 8,300 pages by adding more trays. Finally, a variety of finishing options are available including sorting, hole punching, stapling, and booklet making.
Some of the built-in features that are essential for improving daily production include a 100-sheet automatic document feeder and duplexer, an 80 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of RAM. To access the unit's settings and navigate the various system features, there is an LCD display that measures about 8 ½ inches. This display can also be used to identify errors and show the level of Ricoh MP 5000 printer toner.
Eclectic in capabilities and powerful in design, the Ricoh MP 5500 can support the varying tasks and heavy volumes of a busy office. It is robust in size, so less spacious offices will want to go a bit smaller, but it does fill the role of four essential pieces of equipment.