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Industry Imaging Update

This sidebar appears in each Better Buys for Business guide. It provides updates on breaking news and occasionally, news from the editors.

New HP color lasers
Hewlett-Packard has expanded its position in the low-cost color laser printer segment with two new, strong product families. The models, designated as the Color LaserJet 3500 and 3700 series, offer color printing for individual users and small workgroups.

The Color LaserJet 3500 family has two models: one base level, one with networking. The machines print at 12ppm, in both black-and-white and color. Standard paper capacity is 350 sheets, fed from a multipurpose and a standard tray. You can add an optional 500-sheet paper tray for a total capacity of 850 sheets - pretty good for low cost printers. The models' 45,000-page monthly duty cycle is also impressive, as is their sleek design. The base model starts at $799.

The Color LaserJet 3700 series runs at 16ppm. It comes in four models: a base level model, a network model, a duplexing model, and the 3700dtn that features duplexing, networking, and a standard second paper tray. Total paper capacity of 850 sheets. The series supports both PCL and PostScript, and offers plenty of optional memory to assist with complex printing needs. The base model starts at $1,300.


Updated new Ricoh copiers
Ricoh recently introduced the 22ppm Aficio 2022 and 27ppm Aficio 2027, replacements for its Aficio 1022 and 1027 copiers.

The new machines use the latest version of the company's Next Generation Architecture, resulting in improved scanning capabilities, and also feature new toner (it's chemical toner). Input and output accessories have generally remained the same, although items such as the duplex tray and bypass are now standard. Standard memory has also been increased.

The scanning enhancements include LDAP e-mail support, which provides integration with e-mail address books. In addition, the optional scan function now allows ad hoc e-mail addressing using the models' touch-screen control panel.

Base prices on the Aficio 2022 and 2027 are $5,245 and $6,165, respectively. Ricoh also offers bundled versions of the machines that include both scanning and printing as standard. The Aficio 2022SP lists for $7,125 and the 2027SP goes for $8,465. In addition, the company offers optional support for Wi-Fi (wireless Ethernet) and USB 2.0. A Bluetooth option is in the works.

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