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Ricoh recently broadened its selection of entry-level monochrome MFPs with the release of the SP 311SFNw. It is a print, copy, scan and fax device that features a top print speed of 30 ppm and a maximum print resolution of 1,200 × 600 dpi. The SP 311SFNw is Ricoh’s first A4 monochrome MFP to include standard embedded Wi-Fi connectivity, which had been available only as an option in the past. The new MFP is based on the same mono laser print engine as that is found in Ricoh’s print-only SP 311DNw, which also offers standard Wi-Fi connectivity. The 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN supports an ad-hoc mode so wireless devices within range can discover and communicate peer-to-peer without involving central access points. In addition to including embedded Wi-Fi connectivity, the SP 311SFNw provides USB 2.0 and 10/100Base-TX Ethernet as standard interfaces. It supports USB and network TWAIN/WIA color scanning at 1,200 x 1,200 and scan-to-email/ folder/FTP functionality.

The new SP 311SFNw uses an all-in-one toner cartridge, unlike Ricoh’s copier-based MFPs that typically employ separate consumables such as toner containers and drums. Although the cartridge is new and unique to the SP 311SFNw and its print-only sibling, the monochrome toner formulation has been used on other Ricoh products. The company estimates its new SP 311HS all-in-one print cartridge yields 3,500 pages. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $106.50, it costs 3.04 cents to print a page with Ricoh’s latest monochrome laser A4 MFP and printer, which is low compared to competitive machines.

Ricoh deployed standard embedded Wi-Fi connectivity in the SP 311SFNw to meet the demands of various vertical markets such as medical practices and testing laboratories, banks, hospital admissions, car and equipment rental stores, check cashing and payday loan stores, government offices such as Social Security and motor vehicle departments, college campuses, and retail strip malls.  The MFP and printer will be offered through Ricoh’s two-tier, direct and dealer channels. The SP 311SFNw will compete with existing machines such as the Brother MFC-7860DW, Canon imageCLASS MF4880dw and MF4890dw, HP LaserJet Pro M1217nfw, Lexmark X364dw and Samsung Multifunction Xpress M2875FW. Given its low acquisition and operating costs, we think that the SP 311SFNw stacks up well to the competition.

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