Ricoh Aficio 2060SP Versus Xerox Workcentre Pro 165

F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 1

Konica Minolta bizhub PRO 1050e versus Xerox Nuvera 120

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Competitive Model: Xerox Nuvera 120

The Xerox Nuvera 120 has a rated engine speed of 120 ppm and offers standard copy and network scan functionality. Network print capability can be added via an optional 650 MHz print controller that supports PCL 6 and Adobe PostScript 3. The unit’s base price includes a 300-sheet duplexing automatic document feeder, an 80-GB hard drive and 1 GB of RAM that is not upgradeable. Standard paper capacity is 5,760 sheets, upgradeable to a maximum of 11,520 sheets. Users must purchase either a stapler stacker finisher that offers four staple positions, or the multifunctional finisher which features saddle-stitch capability, when they purchase the Nuvera 120.

Highlights of the bizhub PRO 1050e

The 105-ppm bizhub PRO 1050e comes standard with copy, network print and network scan functionality. A second print controller, the EFI MicroPress 7.0 can be added as an optional upgrade, allowing use of the EFI suite of production utilities, and it is available in three different configurations to suit the needs of various work environments. The unit’s base price includes a 100-sheet reversing automatic document feeder (RADF), a 40-GB hard drive, and 256 MB of RAM (upgradeable to a maximum of 512 MB). Standard paper capacity is 3,000 sheets, upgradeable to a maximum of 9,000 sheets, and finishing options include a saddle-stitch finisher with a 50-sheet capacity that allows users to create 200- sheet booklets, a stapler-stacker that offers eight staple positions, an optional multi-fold unit that offers six types of folds as well as trimming, cover insertion and hole punch, and a Perfect Binder finisher.

Award-Winning Feature Set

The bizhub PRO 1050e’s production-level feature set offers a number of advantages over the Nuvera 120. The bizhub PRO 1050 was given top honors in BLI’s Fall 2005 “Pick of the Year” awards, first earning the award for “Outstanding Segment 6 Multifunctional Imaging System” and then being selected as the “Most Outstanding Multifunctional Imaging System of the Year” for 2005. According to the awards announcement, “Rarely has a product impressed us the way the bizhub PRO 1050 has. Its performance was so stellar in every way – reliability, productivity, ease of use, image quality, paper handling – that it is the unanimous favorite of BLI’s technicians and editors.” Among the bizhub PRO 1050e’s advantages over the Nuvera 120:

 Standard network print functionality. The bizhub PRO 1050e comes standard with network print capability via a 933 MHz print controller. In contrast, network printing is optional on the Nuvera 120, and users can select only one print controller, which runs at only 650 MHz. Users of the bizhub PRO 1050e can print with standard PCL 5e/6 and optional Adobe PostScript 3. In addition, the bizhub PRO 1050e’s print functionality can be upgraded to handle the needs of any size production environment with the addition of one of three optional EFI MicroPress 7.0 options.  Better security features. Unlike the Nuvera 120, the bizhub PRO 1050e offers standard hard drive overwrite capability (available only as an option on the Nuvea 120). The bizhub PRO 1050e also offers optional hard drive encryption capability, which encrypts all information stored on the hard drive. This capability is not available for the Nuvera 120. F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 2

 Finishing is optional. Unlike the Nuvera 120, which requires users to purchase one of two finishers at the time they buy their machine, the bizhub PRO 1050e does not require users to pay for finishing options unless they need them. Then, they can select from a wider range of finishers than are available on the Nuvera 120.  Available Perfect Binder finishing. The bizhub PRO 1050e’s PB-501 Perfect Binder finishing option uses hot glue technology to create professional-looking, perfect-bound booklets of up to 30mm thickness (300-600 sheets, depending on paper weight; minimum 15 sheets). It can insert cover sheets (up to 1000 sheets, 80 g/m2). Among its features include the capability to insert additional covers, printing of covers and cover masters in both simplex and duplex, inclusion of z- folded sheets into perfect bound books, book stacking capacity up to two stacks, 11 books each (up to 30mm thickness) and an optional ‘dolly’ being developed which will offer stack capacity up to three stacks, as well as easy removal of stacked books. There is no perfect binder finishing available for the Nuvera 120, limiting booklet production only to center-folded, saddle-stitched booklets up to 60 pages long.  More robust saddle-stitch finishing. The bizhub PRO 1050e’s optional saddle-stitch finisher can handle up to 50 A3 sheets to create duplexed, saddle-stitched booklets up to 200 pages long. In contrast, the saddle-stitch option for the Nuvera 120 handles only 15 sheets (60-page booklets).  Price advantage. The bizhub PRO 1050e’s base price is lower than that of the Nuvera 120, even though the bizhub PRO 1050e comes standard with network print functionality (this capability costs extra on the Nuvera 120). According to the BLI Field Test Report, “The Nuvera 120, configured as a copier/printer with Adobe PostScript 3 printing, saddle-stitch finishing and a DSPF, has a suggested retail price (SRP) that is the highest for similarly equipped models available.”

Superior Paper Handling

The bizhub PRO 1050e’s paper-handling capabilities allow the use of heavier paper weightsthan the Nuvera 120. Among the bizhub PRO 1050e’s media-handling advantages:

 Handles heavier paper weights. The bizhub PRO 1050e can handle paper weights up to 259 g/m2 from all paper drawers, and up to 300 g/m2 from drawer 4 of the optional paper feed unit. In contrast, the Nuvera 120 can’t accommodate paper weights heavier than 219 g/m2. This means bizhub PRO 1050e users can select from a much wider range of media types than users of the Nuvera 120.  Higher maximum output capacity. When the optional LS-501 and LS-502 Large Capacity Stackers are installed, the bizhub PRO 1050e has an output capacity of 10,000 sheets. In contrast, because there are no high-capacity output options available for the Nuvera 120, output stacking is limited to the size of the finishers (2,250 sheets with the standard stapler stacker finisher installed). This means users of the Nuvera 120 have to spend more time attending to finished output so it does not exceed the machine’s stacking capacity.  Better finishing options. The bizhub PRO 1050e’s extensive finishing features include face trimming and folding and saddle-stitching of up to 50 ledger-size sheets to produce 200-page booklets. The Nuvera 120 can fold and saddle-stitch up to only 15 sheets to create 60-page booklets. In addition, the bizhub PRO 1050e offers six types of folding, including the industry’s first offering of in-line gate and double-parallel folding, in addition to cover insertion and hole- punching. The Nuvera 120 offers only c- and z-folding, and insertion requires the addition of a dedicated insertion module.

Superior Productivity

When BLI subjected both devices to identical productivity tests, the bizhub PRO 1050 outperformed the Nuvera 120 in every category tested. In fact, in many BLI tests, it was found to be the most efficient F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 3 device among all tested devices in its speed range. Among the bizhub PRO 1050’s productivity advantages:

 Better simplex copy efficiency (20 sets): In BLI laboratory tests, the bizhub PRO 1050 was the top performer among competitive devices when copying simplex sets, performing at 80.8% copy efficiency versus only 59.6% efficiency on the Nuvera 120. (See Chart 1.)  Better duplex copy efficiency (20 sets): When copying 20 sets of a BLI test document in duplex, the bizhub PRO 1050 performed at 71.0% efficiency in 1:2 mode, versus a copy efficiency of 56.4% for the Nuvera 120. In 2:2 copy mode, the bizhub PRO 1050e’s efficiency was 76.1%, versus only 63.6% on the Nuvera 120. (See Chart 2.)  Better copy efficiency (50 sets): BLI testing also found that when copying 50 sets of a BLI test document, the bizhub PRO 1050 showed the best copy efficiency for the group in all modes tested, with a simplex copy efficiency of 86.0%, a 1:2 copy efficiency of 77.1% and a 2:2 copy efficiency of 80.8%. In identical tests, the Nuvera 120’s copy efficiency was 61.5% in simplex, 61.7% in 1:2 duplex mode and 68.1% in 2:2 duplex mode. (See Chart 3.)  Better booklet copy efficiency: When subjected to identical tests by BLI, the bizhub PRO 1050 output 30 sets of 16-page booklet copies at a top-of-class efficiency of 81.0% (the highest for the group), while the Nuvera 120’s efficiency in the same test was only 61.1%. (See Chart 4.)  Better simplex print efficiency: In print mode, the bizhub PRO 1050 turned in the top performance in BLI efficiency tests. In simplex (20 sets), the bizhub PRO 1050e’s print efficiency was 68.7%, versus a print efficiency of only 51.2% for the Nuvera 120 in identical tests.  Better duplex print efficiency: The bizhub PRO 1050 also outperformed the Nuvera 120 in duplex mode, with a print efficiency of 68.1% for 20 sets (again, the top performer), versus a print efficiency of only 53.2%% on the Nuvera 120.  Better job stream efficiency: This BLI test sends a series of nine different types of files (Word, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF, etc.) to the device in rapid succession, simulating the kind of traffic that an MFP might be expected to handle in a typical workday. In this critical test, the bizhub PRO 1050 showed a job stream efficiency at the top of its class, with an overall efficiency of 64.0%, versus a job stream efficiency of only 53.1% on the Nuvera 120 in the identical test. (See Chart 5.) In fact, despite having a rated engine speed 15 ppm lower than the Nuvera 120, the bizhub PRO 1050 actually performed at a faster speed (67.2 ppm, versus only 61.4 ppm) than the Nuvera 120.  Better booklet print efficiency: When printing 30 sets of a 16-page booklet, the bizhub PRO 1050 performed at 90.3% efficiency, which is the highest booklet print efficiency among Segment 6 devices tested by BLI. In contrast, the Nuvera 120’s print efficiency was only 59.3% in identical tests. (See Chart 6.)

Productivity-Enhancing Features

The bizhub PRO 1050e offers significant productivity-enhancing advantages over the Nuvera 120, including:

 Faster warm-up time. The bizhub PRO 1050e warms up in only six minutes, versus a warm-up time of eight minutes on the Nuvera 120. This means the machine is ready to work sooner.  Less service intervention. The image drum unit on the bizhub PRO 1050e lasts four times as long as the image drum on the Nuvera 120 (1 million impressions, versus 250,000 impressions). Additionally, the developer yield for the bizhub PRO 1050e is 1,000,000 impressions, versus the Nuvera 120’s developer yield of only 110,000 impressions. Longer-lasting consumables allow bizhub PRO 1050e users to run their devices for longer periods of time before a service call is required.  Load toner while the bizhub PRO 1050 is running. The bizhub PRO 1050e’s toner hopper can hold the contents of one bottle while another toner bottle can be loaded, effectively doubling F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 4

the toner supplies to a generous yield of 176,000 impressions total. The Nuvera 120 does not allow toner to be added while the device is running, so users are limited to a single bottle (yield: 110,000 impressions).  Available EFI MicroPress 7.0 option. Advanced users of the bizhub PRO 1050e can add the optional EFI MicroPress 7.0 print controller that enables complex functions such as exception page programming, late-stage editing, variable data printing and personalization. With MicroPress 7.0, users can control their entire EFI-driven printer fleets (both color and monochrome) from the Fiery Command Workstation. Optional software includes the EFI Impose package, which is a WYSIWYG page imposition utility that includes unlimited imposition template creation, and the optional Production Printing Package to simplify complex workflows. EFI MicroPress 7.0 is available in three configurations, so it can be scaled to handle workflows of any size. MicroPress Prodigy Workflow Server is suited for single engine configurations; MicroPress Professional Workflow Server suits entry-level production requirements; and MicroPress Production Workflow Server is designed to meet the demands of heavy production print environments, featuring flexible, powerful workflow tools and complete fault-tolerance, as well as dual Intel Xeon processors, three hard drives with 146 GB capacity, 2 GB of RAM, Hot Swap capability and a Windows 2003 server. MicroPress is not available for the Nuvera 120; in fact, on the Nuvera 120, users are limited only to one print controller option.  Command WorkStation (included with the EFI print controller option) offers three levels of access for the administrator, user or guest. The tool enables administrators to generate a report of the Job Log—with details such as the user, time sent and the number of pages—and export the information into Excel or Access. Command WorkStation also enables job queue management. For example, if a user sends a print job and then realizes that changes need to be made, he or she can open Command Workstation and change the job settings on the controller. Users can also hold a pre-ripped print job to be stored and printed out at a later time—when there is less demand on the printer, for example. Other features include fast reprint and thumbnail previews for held jobs.  Direct PDF and TIFF printing. The bizhub PRO 1050e can print PDF and TIFF files directly, without the need to first open the files. The Nuvera 120 does not offer this time-saving capability.

Superior Ease of Use

Not only does the bizhub PRO 1050e offer high-level capabilities, but it’s also exceptionally easy to use:

 Easy misfeed clearing. Misfeeding is reduced by Konica Minolta’s new technologies: multi- sheet feed detection, which uses ultrasonic technology, and air-assist paper feed, which incorporates blowers in the paper drawers to separate sheets. According to the BLI Field Test Report on the bizhub PRO 1050e, “Procedures for removing misfed sheets are simple. When paper misfeeds, text-based and graphical information on the control panel and misfeed indicators in the misfeed access areas walk the user through each step to clear all misfed sheets. The numbers used on the display’s graphical image correspond directly to the labels on the unit itself. When a sheet is cleared from the device, the number on the graphical image clears. Misfeed indicators in each finishing device also indicate the exact position of the misfed sheet; as a misfed sheet is removed, the light behind the corresponding misfeed indicator goes out.”  Simple paper changing. According to the BLI Field Test Report on the bizhub PRO 1050, “Procedures for adjusting the user-adjustable paper drawers to accommodate different paper sizes are simple, as the drawers are equipped with sensors to automatically detect a change in paper size and reflect it in the control panel display.”  Easier to use printer drivers. BLI’s Field Test Report on the bizhub PRO 1050 praised its easy to use print drivers, saying, “In general, a consistent layout among drivers for a particular device benefits users who need to switch between PCL and PostScript drivers for different types of jobs, F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 5

making navigation through screens easier. Because Konica Minolta has developed its own visual interface for the Adobe PostScript 3 print driver, the PCL 6 and PostScript 3 Visual drivers offered with this device are similar in appearance,” and noted, “All of the selections required for a typical print job are found on the first screen, the Setup tab, of the Adobe PostScript 3 print driver.” The BLI Field Test Report awarded the print drivers of the bizhub PRO 1050e Five Stars (the highest possible rating), while the print drivers for the Nuvera 120 earned a lower rating, Four Stars.  Adjustable control panel. Users of the bizhub PRO 1050e can make six different adjustments to the position of the control panel. The screen itself can be adjusted, as can the arm that connects the screen to the device, to accommodate various lighting situations or to aid viewing by people with disabilities.  Automatic mistake prevention. The bizhub PRO 1050e is an “intelligent” unit capable of preventing users from making certain time- and money-wasting mistakes. For example, if the amount of folded sets programmed is too high for the paper weight chose, the device will not allow the job to run.

Image Quality

The bizhub PRO 1050e combines Konica Minolta’s proven technology with new enhancements to offer the highest quality imaging. The bizhub PRO 1050 earned a Five Star rating for image quality in BLI’s Field Test Report, which is the highest possible image quality rating (the Nuvera 120’s image quality earned a lower grade, Four Stars, in the BLI Field Test Report). Among the reasons the bizhub PRO 1050 achieved top marks from BLI include:

 Simitri polymerized toner. This toner, available only for Konica Minolta devices, employs toner particles that are smaller, smoother and more uniform in size than toner particles produced by traditional pulverization techniques, resulting in more even halftones, more accurate text and better grayscales.  Less curl. Image quality is enhanced by the toner’s lower fusing point because pre-printed stocks are less susceptible to fuser damage, less curl is produced and images are more consistent.  Accurate registration. Front-to-back registration, which can be adjusted from the control panel or print driver to within 0.5 mm of accuracy, ensures that copy printed on the front and back of a single sheet is aligned properly.

[SIDE BAR]

Shortcomings of the Nuvera 120

BLI’s Field Test Report on the Nuvera 120 noted the following shortcomings of the device:

 Below-average overall copy productivity. For example, its first-copy times from both the platen and document feeder are among the slowest for competitive models tested to date. Further, its copy efficiency in all three modes tested is the lowest for the group.

 Suggested retail price is the highest among similarly configured models (Adobe PostScript 3 printing, saddle-stitch finishing and an RADF).

 The print drivers do not offer a point-and-click interface for selecting paper source and output destination. F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 6

 Some typical advanced features such as secure print, scheduled print and proof print are not available.

 Below-average drum life (250,000 impressions).

From BLI’s Field Test Report

Summing Up

Offering standard network print functionality, better copy and print productivity in every category tested, an available Perfect Binder option that creates perfect-bound booklets, and the capability to feed heavy paper stock up to 300 gsm from its main paper drawers, the bizhub PRO 1050e is a scalable, flexible solution that can suit virtually any kind of light- or mid-production environment.

Specifications at a Glance

Konica Minolta bizhub PRO 1050 Xerox Nuvera 120

Domestic Intro Date Nov-04 Mar-04 $77,000 (also requires purchase Base SRP (U.S. dollars) $59,610 of finisher; see prices below) Base SRP with $66,410 $89,000 stapler/stacker finisher Base SRP with saddle- $84,610 $92,000 stitch finisher Warm-Up Time 6 minutes 8 minutes Multicopy (A4) 105 ppm 120 ppm Std. Paper Capacity 3,000 sheets 5,760 sheets Max. Paper Sources 5 8 Max. Paper Capacity 9,000 sheets 11,520 sheets Paper Weights Through 52 to 300 g/m2 52 to 219 g/m2 Paper Drawers Max. Paper Size SRA3 SRA3 Saddle-Stitch Booklet 50 sheets (200-page booklets) 15 sheets (60-page booklets) Finisher Capacity Perfect Binder Capacity 15 to 600 sheets Not applicable Copy Resolution 600 x 600 dpi 600 x 600 dpi Scan Resolution 600 x 600 dpi 600 x 600 dpi True Print Resolution 600 x 600 dpi 600 x 600 dpi (unenhanced) Document Feeder Standard RADF Standard DADF Document Feeder 100 sheets 300 sheets Capacity Document Feeder Speed 103 opm 120 opm Standard Copier Memory 256 MB 1 GB Max. Copier Memory 512 MB 1 GB Copier Hard Drive Standard 40-GB Standard 80-GB Perfect Binder Finisher Optional Not available F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 7

Toner Yield 88,000 impressions 110,000 impressions Refill Toner While Yes No Machine Is Running (standard) 933 MHz; (optional) EFI Print Processor Speed 650 MHz MicroPress 7.0 3.2-GHz to 3.4 GHz Print Controller Standard PCL 6, optional Adobe Optional PCL 6, Adobe PostScript PDL/PCL Supported PostScript 3 3 

Chart 1: Simplex Copy Efficiency (20 sets; in percent) bizhub PRO 1050 80.8% Nuvera 120 59.6%

Chart 2: Duplex Copy Efficiency (20 sets; in percent):

1:2 mode: bizhub PRO 1050 71.0% Nuvera 120 56.4%

Chart 3: Copy Efficiency (50 sets; in percent) 1:1 mode: bizhub PRO 1050 86.0% Nuvera 120 61.5%

Chart 4: Booklet Copy Efficiency (in percent) bizhub PRO 1050 81.0% Nuvera 120 61.1%

Chart 5: Job Stream Efficiency (in percent) bizhub PRO 1050 64.0% Nuvera 120 53.1% F:\TKO\Konica Minolta 1050e vs. Xerox Nuvera 120 Page 8

Chart 6: Booklet Print Efficiency (in percent)

bizhub PRO 1050 90.3% Nuvera 120 59.3%

* Productivity results from BLI Field Test Reports.