Sharp MX-5050N Series Review

Good: A range of finishing options, compact PDF, content management functionality.
Bad: Standard paper capacity is low, but companies can add additional paper options for a maximum capacity of 6,300 sheets.
Bottom Line: Strong color MFPs intended for large organizations that need an efficient device.
Vendor:
Product:
Price:
Intended Users:
Sharp
MX-5050N Series
$9,625-$19,525
All sizes
Speed Black:
Speed Color:
Processor:
Memory:
30ppm-60ppm
30ppm-60ppm
1.75GHz
5GB

Product Overview

The MX-5050 Essential Series are built on the same platform as the Advanced Series but are lower cost and designed for customers that require multifunction capability, but don’t need advanced workflow features.

The MX-5050 Essentials Series consist of five devices: the MX-3050N ($9,625), the MX-3550N ($12,375) the MX-4050N ($15,125), the MX-5050N ($17,325) and the MX-6050N ($19,525). The MX-3050N copies and prints at 30ppm, the MX-3550N runs at 35ppm and the MX-4050N has a speed of 45ppm. The MX-5050N copies and prints at 50ppm, while the MX-6050N runs at 60ppm.

The speeds are for both black-and-white and color.

Copying, printing and scanning features are all standard. Fax is optional. These devices have a 1.75 GHz processor, 5 GB of memory and a 250 GB hard drive. There’s also a 10.1″ customizable LCD touchscreen that has “flick, tap and slide” functionality, much like you’d see on a smartphone.

Warm-up time is 15 seconds or less. First copy time (in color) is 6.7 seconds on the MX-3050N, MX-3550N and MX-4050N, while it is 7.5 seconds on the MX-5050N and MX-6050N.

More details are in our Features section below.

The MX-5050 Series provides strong features for mid-large size workgroups that need an efficient multifunction device with color output.

Features

Paper handling: These models have excellent paper-handling capabilities. Automatic duplexing is standard. Paper input starts with a 550-sheet tray and a 100-sheet bypass for 650 sheets. There are many options to bring the maximum capacity to 6,300 sheets. Users can purchase a single 550-sheet drawer ($885), two 550-sheet drawers ($1,130) or three 550-sheet drawers ($1,570). There is also a split tandem paper drawer option that consists of three drawers ($2,000), with one drawer at 550 sheets and the split tandem paper drawers that hold 2,100 sheets. Finally, there’s the 3,000-sheet large capacity tray for $1,570 that requires purchase of any of the 550-sheet drawers.

There’s a standard reversing single-pass duplexing document feeder. It has a 100-sheet capacity and can scan paper up to 80 ipm.

Aside from the standard 250-sheet exit tray, the machines offer optional finishers. There’s an inner finisher that staples up to 50 sheets ($2,000). Then, there’s a 50-sheet stapling finisher with a 1,000-sheet tray ($2,600). In addition, there’s a 50-sheet saddle-stitching finisher with a 1,000-sheet tray for $3,050.

Sharp also offers a finisher that stacks up to 3,000 sheets and staples up to 65 sheets ($3,050). Companies can also purchase a saddle-stitching finisher with a stacking of 3,000 sheets and staples up to 65 sheets ($6,000). A three-hole punch unit is available for each finisher ($735 each).

There’s also a 100-sheet job separator ($55) and a 100-sheet right-side exit tray ($160).

MFP Features: PCL is standard, but PostScipt is optional. Users can also directly print PDF files and select Microsoft Office formats. USB, Ethernet and wireless connectivity are standard. Mobile printing and scanning are supported via the Sharpdesk Mobile App.

The models offer standard network scanning, along with optional PC fax and Internet fax. Also included is a single user license for Sharpdesk desktop document management software, which is a utility that allows you to program the models with email addresses, FTP servers and network PCs as destinations for scanned documents using a networked PC. The scan function includes both LDAP support and network authentication. File formats include TIFF, PDF, XPS, PDF/A and encrypted PDF.

There’s a compact PDF feature that can reduce the size of scanned color documents, making it more manageable to scan and save those documents.

Sharp also offers Cloud Portal Office service for storing and sharing documents in the cloud. Users can also access cloud apps such as Microsoft OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online and Google Drive.

Security features include account management, 256-bit encryption, user authentication, SSL encryption, end-of-lease and confidential printing.

  • Automatic Document Feeder?
  • Duplexing?
  • Ethernet Connectivity?
  • Wireless Connectivity?
  • Mobile Printing/Scanning?
  • Finishers?

Shortcomings

The standard paper capacity tends to be low since each device comes with one 550-sheet paper tray and a 100-sheet bypass tray (650 sheets). However, companies can scale up to the maximum capacity of 6,300 sheets by including additional paper options. The pricing for each paper option remains competitive.

About

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, markets the advanced, color MX Pro Series document systems to help companies manage workflow efficiently and increase productivity.

Sharp document systems feature the Sharp OSA® development platform, which seamlessly integrates network applications to create a personalized MFP that can meet virtually any business need, and Scan2 technology, which scans two-sided documents in a single pass to enhance scanning reliability and preserve document integrity.

To keep documents safe from unauthorized users, Sharp offers the most secure suite of MFP applications.

Send feedback or corrections to feedback@betterbuys.com.

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