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Xerox Adds Multiple Multifunctions

Printer/copier/fax models start at $350; options include digital or color copies.

By Dan Littman, PCWorld   

The new devices, which range in price from $350 to $1000, offer features from laser printing to color copying.

The $1000 model, the WorkCentre XD130f, and the WorkCentre XD125f, which costs $700, create copies digitally--that is, they scan a document once and can then print multiple copies from an image stored in memory. That reduces wear and tear on the scanner mechanism and on your document.

Unfortunately, the XD130f and XD125f can't fax or scan to the PC--they only print and copy. Both of these models, as well as the $450 WorkCentre 390, are based on monochrome laser printer engines and pull pages onto a flatbed scanner glass with an automatic document feeder.

The analog-copying 390 and the least expensive of the new devices, the $350 WorkCentre 490cx, can copy and fax independently of a PC. The 490cx is based on a color ink-jet print engine and can produce color copies when not attached to a PC. That's unusual; most color multifunction devices put their color capabilities on hold when running solo. The 490cx's scanner can capture 30-bit color at 600 by 600 dots per inch, while the 390 captures 24-bit color at 300 by 600 dpi.

When attached to a PC, the 390 and 490cx can send computer files as faxes. Their fax features are somewhat limited, however; they offer polling and delayed send, but lack such useful capabilities as fax forwarding and remote retrieval. Nor can they sync their on-board address books with an address book on your PC.

Xerox says the digital-copying XD130f and XD125f print 8 pages per minute at 600 dpi. The XD130f offers dual 250-sheet paper trays, an auxiliary feed, and a built-in duplexer. Unfortunately, for some reason it can duplex only when making copies, not when printing, and its $1000 price tag may seem steep for one person. The less expensive XD125f includes just one paper tray and has no duplexer. Both models come with a three-year warranty, while the 390 and 490cx have one-year warranties.