<p><i>By <a href="http://www.buyerslab.com/news/viewarticle.asp?article=71116">Marlene Orr</a>, Senior Printer Analyst, November 23, 2010  </i></p> <p>Color MFPs are  gaining more acceptance in general office environments, thanks in part to a wider range of choices, better color (i.e., cost) controls and lower cost of ownership. But, with more choice, comes more confusion: finding the ideal product can get complicated by the vast array of available features, indecipherable specs and, of course, the age-old A3 versus A4 (or “copier-centric versus printer-centric,” if you prefer) debate. While no one product is right for everyone, color MFPs in the 40- to 50-ppm range have a lot to offer. In this ongoing series of articles, BLI can help sort through the clutter.</p> <p>40- to 50-PPM Color MFPs: What’s the Difference?</p> <p>Ranging in speed from 40- to 50-ppm, the <a href="http://www.buyerslab.com/bliq/product/showSpecItem.asp?type=4&spec=5... MX-C402SC</b></a>, <a href="http://www.buyerslab.com/bliq/product/showSpecItem.asp?type=4&spec=5... X792de</b></a> and <a href="http://www.buyerslab.com/bliq/product/showSpecItem.asp?type=4&spec=5... WorkCentre 7545</b></a>, three MFPs undergoing testing in BLI’s lab, offer the same core functionality (print, copy and scan) and on the surface seem very much the same with only a few differences. All three models offer color controls/calibration, a touch-screen interface and a choice of finishing options. The most obvious differences are in output size (the Sharp and Lexmark models support only up to legal-size output, while the Xerox device supports up to ledger-size output, which, of course, carries a price), and rated speed. The Xerox model is also the only one of the group to offer an optional saddle-stitch booklet maker.</p>