Phaser 8860MFP Review

When I looked at the Phaser 8860MFP, I first saw the huge price tag and wondered if it was worth it. After looking it over, I still have to say I'm not sure if it's worth the huge $3,999 price, but I'll go through the specs and the performance, and you can decide on your own if you want to sink that amount of money into this multi-function printer.

First off, let's talk about speed. It's PPM (pages per minute) are 30 for both black and white, and color. While these speeds aren't bad, you can find them on other printers offered by Xerox for over $3,000 less. While they lack a lot of the functions, which we will cover soon, it may be wiser to invest in the cheaper one if you don't really need all the extras.

Unlike many of the other Phaser models, this one doesn't print by toner. While toner is standard on nearly all laser printers, Xerox has recently created what is known as solid ink. These are cartridge free, and while they offer the same printing capacity of toner, they are much better for the environment, as they leave close to no footprint (there is 90% less waste than toner). For those of you who are into the green trend, you may want to check out that technology, but again it is also offered in cheaper printers.

Also, since solid ink is so cheap, you will be printing your color at black and white prices, which is quite impressive and cost effective.

Maximum paper size is a disappointing 8.5x14, again standard on many of their printers. While most offices, which a printer like this is meant for, won't need anything bigger, it would still be good for them to offer a larger paper tray.

Speaking of paper tray, what is the paper capacity? 625 sheets, or you can upgrade to 1,675. Depending on the use of the printer, you may or may not want to sink in more money for a larger paper tray, again this all depends on you. However, a ream of paper is 500 sheets. If you're flying through those, definitely upgrade. You'll be able to concentrate more on work rather than wondering if the printer's empty.

As for functions, the Phaser 8860 is again standard with copy, email, fax, print, and scan abilities. You can scan or copy up to 50 duplexed (double sided) sheets at a time, which isn't a bad capacity really. Even for larger commercial printers, this feeder on this is a good size.

Speaking of duplex, one handy function of this printer is the ability to print double sided, and this is a standard function. This will help you save paper, meaning helping the environment more and saving money. Now, instead of having to buy a whole ream for a 500 page document, you can double side it and use only half the paper.

While the 8860 does offer a lot, I'm still not sure it offers enough to justify the price tag. If you don't mind printers with half the speed, no double sided printing or solid ink, you can get something very similar for only $549 (the Phaser 6128MFP). If you like all the added functions, than I would say the 8860 will work for you. As a Xerox printer, you can expect reliability from it, and of course their standards of quality are always impeccable. If you have the money, buy it. If not, try out the 6128.