Which is the Best Color Copier for the Workplace?

When it comes to the color copier (also referred to as multifunction printers or MFPs) market, there are a variety of manufacturers and models to choose from – so when you’re in the market for your next color copier, which should you choose?

Using the gapTCO analysis tool, four color copiers from the top manufacturers in the industry were compared head-to-head to see which is the best color copier for the workplace and offers the lowest TCO (total cost of ownership). Basic features, hardware cost, and supplies cost we’re all factored in to determine which is the best color copier available.

Keep reading below to see which is the top color copier for today’s workplace!

The four color copiers that were compared to see which is the best color copier for the workplace and offers the lowest TCO are:

1. Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5840i
   
2. HP Color LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E87640z
   
3. Konica Minolta bizhub C360i
   
4. Xerox AltaLink C8145H
   

These color copiers were evaluated by their base units and compared based on their standard features, as well as their overall hardware and supplies cost.

All four copier models offer standard multifunction functionality — print, copy, scan, and optional fax.

1. Print Speed – the Xerox AltaLink C8145H has the fastest print speeds (up to 45ppm), while the Konica Minolta bizhub C360i has the slowest print speeds (up to 46ppm).
   
2. Scan Speed – the Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5840i offers the fastest duplex scan speeds (up to 270ipm), while the Xerox AltaLink C8145H offers the slowest duplex scan speeds (up to 141ipm).
   
3. Document Feeder Capacity – the color copier with the largest DADF (duplex automatic document feeder) capacity is the Xerox AltaLink C8145H with a capacity for up to 270 sheets. The Konica Minolta bizhub C360i features the smallest DADF capacity for up to 100-sheets.
   
4. Paper Capacity – the Xerox AltaLink C8145H has the largest standard paper input capacity (3,140 sheets). The Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5849i has the smallest standard input capacity (1,200 sheets).

First, let’s take a look at the hardware cost for the base unit of each color copier.

The Average Commercial Price for each color copier, ranked highest to lowest, are as follows:

• Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5840i: $10,780.86
  
• HP Color LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E87640z: $9,259.68
  
• Konica Minolta bizhub C360i: $8,792.98
  
• Xerox AltaLink C8145H: $8,732.53
  

Next, we’ll look at the cost of the supplies for each copier. To calculate the supplies cost, CPC (cost per click) contract pricing was used. This is where there is a cost for each black-and-white page printed and each color page printed.

The Average Private Sector Contract-Based Black CPCs for this specific printing environment, ranked highest to lowest, are as follows:

• HP Color LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E87640z: $0.0082
  
• Xerox AltaLink C8145H: $0.0077
  
• Konica Minolta bizhub C360i: $0.0074
  
• Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5840i: $0.0064
  

The Average Private Sector Contract-Based Color CPCs for this specific printing environment, ranked highest to lowest, are as follows:

• HP Color LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E87640z: $0.0616
  
• Konica Minolta bizhub C360: $0.0558
  
• Xerox AltaLink C8145H: $0.0529
  
• Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5840i: $0.0526

For each color copier TCO, an 8,000 AMPV (average monthly page volume) is assumed, with 50% of those pages being printed in color and 50% being print in black and white. The TCO is analyzed over a 36-month ownership.

So which color copier ranks as the best color copier for the workplace? Based on the TCO analysis, the Xerox AltaLink C8145H is the winning copier with the lowest TCO of $17,458.93. And although it doesn’t offer the fastest scanning speeds compared to similar competitor models, it does have the fastest print speeds, and the largest DADF capacity and standard paper capacity.

All in all, we agree that the Xerox AltaLink C8145H is the best color copier for the workplace! , we

Interested in learning more about the Xerox AltaLink C8145? You can check out the Xerox AltaLink C8145 product details here. You can also learn more about cost per click supplies pricing and other supplies/service offerings through Parmetech, a Xerox Platinum Authorized Dealer!

To talk to an industry expert and have your questions answered, get pricing, or set up a product demo, give us a call today (800) 727-6383 or fill out our inquiry form!