BUYERS LAB

Lab Test Report
A Comprehensive BLI Laboratory Evaluation

August 2007

APRIL 2008

Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN

8.5 PPM Color 11 PPM Black * Printer Copier Scanner Fax
Reliability... Excellent. Misfeeds...0 Service Calls...0 Print Quality...Good. Copy Quality... Fair Value... Very Good Supplies Cost Per Page (Color/Black)..6.916** / 1.509. Ease of Use.. Very Good Feedback to Workstations.. Very Good Administrative Utilities.. Excellent Throughput Speeds.. Excellent

GENERAL APPRAISAL

Demonstrating excellent reliability and exceptional productivity, the Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN provided a strong overall performance in BLI's tests. In addition to completing its 5,000-impression test with no service required and not even a single misfeed, the competitively priced unit proved to be economical as well, offering supplies costs per page for both color and black that are among the lowest for comparable inkjet printers. With a rated speed of 11 ppm in black and 8.5 ppm in color in the default Standard mode (the unit features speeds of up to 29 ppm in black and color when printing in High Speed Draft mode) and support for up to legal-size output, the Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN proved to be a very productive unit, demonstrating above-average efficiency rates, as well as first-page times that are faster than average compared to similar tested inkjet multifunction printers. The unit also produced good print output overall in default mode, though copy output in the default mode was Fair overall, as black text and line art showed signs of breakup and color output was light overall. The Aficio GX3050SFN received very good ratings for ease of use and the included utilities. The unit is very easy to set up: using the quick-install routine on the included CD, users can easily install the
* In the default Speed Priority mode. Up to 29 ppm in black and 29 ppm in color in High Speed mode. ** Based on BLIs testing using the ISO 24712 yield test original Estimated street price: $849 Test period duration: Two months, including a 5,000-impression durability test. Manufacturer: Ricoh Americas Corporation; West Caldwell, NJ; made in China. Manufacturers recommended monthly volume: Up to 10,000 impressions. BLIs recommended monthly volume for optimum performance: Up to 1,000 impressions. Type: Desktop, CCD digital scanner, color inkjet printing, cut-sheet bond paper, multifunctional device with standard standalone color fax and convenience copy and network color print, fax and scan functions.
2008 Buyers Laboratory Inc. reproduced with the written permission of Buyers Laboratory the sole property of Buyersthis report, in whole of this proprietaryform or manner,from this report, in any manner, whether This report has been WARNING: This material is copyrighted by Buyers Laboratory Inc. and is Inc. Any duplication of Laboratory. Duplication or part, in any report or excerpts without the written permission of printed or Buyers Laboratory, is not limited to, copying, faxing, scanning or use on a fax-back system), is illegal and strictly purchase reprints, contact BLI at (201) 488-0404 (x17) or at will be prosecuted to the electronic (including, but unlawful and violators will be prosecuted. 2008 Buyers Laboratory Inc. To forbidden without written permission from Buyers Laboratory. Violators info@buyerslab.com. fullest extent of the law. To purchase reprints of any BLI reports or articles, contact BLI at (201) 488-0404. Buyers Laboratory Inc., 20 Railroad Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Contact us at info@buyerslab.com.
drivers and software in just a few minutes with about five clicks of the mouse. Specifying job requirements from the well-designed print drivers was also simple. Further enhancing ease of use from the desktop is the good feedback to PC workstations, including pop-up messages on device and print job status and the ability to proactively check status information. In addition, the unit features simple procedures for loading paper and removing misfeeds. The Aficio GX3050SFN also offers clean and simple procedures for replacing the four separate ink cartridges.

BLI's pricing analysis reveals that, although the Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN is priced slightly higher than the average for network-ready inkjet multifunction printers with similar standard features (i.e., support for 8.5" x 14" output and automatic duplexing), it offers features, such as scan to e-mail with LDAP support, that are generally found only on much higher-priced laser-based devices. In addition, the units cost per page is lower than the average for competitive tested products.

Strengths

Faster than average first-print times for all five file types used in testing; above average performance in BLIs job stream test in color and black modes from both drivers; well above average efficiency when producing multiple sets Highest overall color and monochrome print efficiency of tested inkjet printers Includes network scanning and scan to e-mail with LDAP support, features that are generally found only on higherpriced devices Better than average waterfastness and highlighter smearfastness; excellent halftone range in print mode Ability to embed patterns in output to prevent copying Ability to reduce ink density of graphics without affecting text quality ENERGY STAR compliant

Weaknesses

Priced higher than average Narrower range of blue shades; yellowish skin tones; solids rated Fair in print mode Color print output on plain paper in default mode not as bright as that of competitive units Text and lines showed evidence of breakup in copy mode; color copy output light overall with slightly yellowish skin tones File size increases when printing multiple sets

Summary

Based on its admirable performance in BLI's tests, especially its excellent productivity and very good overall economy, BLI highly recommends the Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN for personal users or small workgroups in need of a multifunction printer with monthly print volumes of up to 1,000 impressions.
TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS
Test equipment: BLIs dedicated test network, consisting of Windows 2000 servers, Windows XP workstations, 10/100BaseTX network switches and CAT5 cabling.

Reliability

PMs/Malfunctions Meter count (beginning of test) End of test period Total misfeeds/misfeed rate Total Service Calls 0 / Not applicable 0 Service Required Meter Count (Impressions) 0 5,000 Impressions Between Service

Ease of Operation

Printer Copier Scanner Fax Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Ease of installation: Excellent. Users insert the included CD-ROM, which auto-launches, and select Quick Install for Network. The software quickly and easily walks the user through the installation, allowing the user to install the users guide, SmartDeviceMonitor for Client, PCL 6 and RPCS driver with five clicks of the mouse.
PCL 6 Print Driver Paper Tab SmartDeviceMonitor for Client provides device status on the GX3050SFN.

Number of clicks to install driver/utilities: 5. The PCL 6 and RPCS print driver, SmartDeviceMonitor for Client and the user guide are installed by default. Control panel: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN has a well-laid-out and easy-to-use control panel with separate sections for scan, fax and copy. Ink gauges on the control panel show at a glance the level of remaining supplies.
Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN Control Panel
User-Replaceable Consumables Black ink cartridge: Price, $33. Manufacturers rated yield, 1,500 pages at 5% coverage. Color ink cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow): Price, $36 each. Manufacturers rated yield, 1,000 pages each at 5% coverage. Ease of replacing ink cartridges: Excellent. Replacing the ink cartridges was a clean and straightforward procedure.
Tested Ink Yield/Supplies Cost Per Page (BLI 5% Color)
Color Black Cyan Magenta Yellow
Net Weight (In Grams) 32.6 24.7 24.1 22.7
Ink Yield (Impressions) 1,888 1,344 1,090 1,037
Impressions Per Gram 57.91 54.41 45.23 45.68
Ink Cost Per Page1 1.748 2.679 3.303 3.472
Total Ink Cost Per Page1 11.202
Supplies Cost Per Page2 11.202
Ink cost per page is based on Ricohs pricing for the ink cartridges and BLIs tested ink yield based on an original with 5% page coverage per color. The ink cartridges are the only supply item required for the GX3050SFN.
Tested Ink Yield/Supplies Cost Per Page (ISO 24712)
Net Weight (In Grams) 30.9 25.3 24.7 23.9
Ink Yield (Impressions) 2,187 2,187 1,774 2,078
Impressions Per Gram 70.78 86.44 71.82 86.95
Ink Cost Per Page1 1.509 1.646 2.029 1.732
Total Ink Cost Per Page1 6.916
Supplies Cost Per Page2 6.916
Ink cost per page is based on Ricohs pricing for the ink cartridges and BLIs tested ink yield based on the five-page ISO 24712 test yield original. 2 The ink cartridges are the only supply item required for the GX3050SFN.
Tested Ink Yield/Supplies Cost Per Page (Black)

Color Black

Net Weight (In Grams) 30.9
Ink Yield (Impressions) 2,187
Impressions Per Gram 70.78

Ink Cost Per Page1 1.509

Supplies Cost Per Page2 1.509
Ink cost per page is based on Ricohs pricing for the ink cartridges and BLIs tested ink yield based on the five-page ISO 24712 test yield original. The ink cartridges are the only supply item required for the GX3050SFN.
Performance of Copier Functions PERFORMANCE OF COPIER FUNCTIONS

Copy Quality

Color Business Graphics Color Photographic Images Black Text Black Line Art Black Halftone Range Black Halftone Fill Black Solids Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Fair Fair
Halftone range: Clearly visible from the 15% to 100% dot-fill levels. Visible halftone range on test original: From the 15% to the 100% dot-fill level.

Color Density Readings

Color Original Density Copy Density (Standard) Yellow 1.12 0.71 Magenta 1.45 0.88 Cyan 1.49 0.82
Density of copied image when tested in Standard (Default) copy mode using a KATUN test original containing blocks of all solid colors (based on the average of two readings for each color).

Copy density

Original GX3050SFN Range for tested units
Density of original: Range, 1.63 to 1.68 (on a scale of 0 to 2.5, with 2.5 being as dark as would be possible under most circumstances). Density of copy: Range, 1.03 to 1.07 (on a scale of 0 to 2.5, with 2.5 being as dark as would be possible under most circumstances).
Density range for products in this class tested to date: 0.96 to 1.53.
Density of solid black copied image based on eight readings corresponding to eight different locations on the original.

Color Fidelity Readings

Color Normal Yellow 10.77 Magenta 12.11 Cyan 11.05 Red 19.98 Green 12.92 Blue 14.59 Black 0.98
Color fidelity of a copy to original (using a KATUN test original containing blocks of all solid colors; tested in copy mode using the default machine settings; average of two readings for each color. Measurements are taken with a Minolta CM-503i spectrophotometer. The closer the number is to 0, the closer the copys color fidelity is to the test original (based on the average of two readings for each color).

Copier Productivity

First-copy time
Platen 18.54 17.69 21.66 15.10

Color Monochrome

Document Feeder

Seconds

Monochrome first-copy time: 17.69 seconds from the platen. 15.10 seconds from the document feeder. Color first-copy time: 18.54 seconds from the platen. 21.66 seconds from the document feeder. Copies per minute (monochrome): 10, excluding first copy. 7, including first copy. Copies per minute (color): 8, excluding first copy. 5, including first copy.
Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN Multitasking Evaluation
Primary Function Secondary Function

SEND FAX Yes Yes No No

RECEIVE FAX No2 No2 Yes Yes Yes
PRINT Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

SCAN Yes Yes No No

COPY Yes Yes No1 Yes No3
SEND FAX RECEIVE FAX PRINT SCAN COPY
Device beeps in error. (5) The phone line is busy with primary function. (2) 3 The device does not support program ahead or copy reserve. (1) NOTE: (X) Indicates number of occurrences. A Yes indicates that the user can initiate the secondary function while the primary function is taking place and that no further user intervention will be required for the secondary function to take place.
PERFORMANCE OF PRINTER FUNCTIONS Performance of Printer Functions Print Quality
Color Business Graphics Color Photographic Images Black Text Black Line Art Black Halftone Range Black Halftone Fill Black Solids Wicking Ink Bleed Good Good Good Good Excellent Good Fair Good Good
Comments: Color print quality is tested using the ANSI standard IT8 Color Test Target with one set of print samples taken in default mode. The ANSI IT8 Color Test Target is read using the Minolta CM-503i spectrophotometer, and the sample is analyzed using the CIE XY Chromaticity Diagram. Typical of inkjet printers, the Aficio GX3050SFN produced a smaller color gamut on regular bond paper than those produced by color laser- and LED-based units tested by BLI to date. Overall color production remained very stable, with very little shift in color output throughout the test period. However, BLIs test instruments detected that the GX3050SFN produced a narrower range of blue shades than some competitive units tested. Color output in photographic images showed a yellow undertone in some skin tones. Colors in charts and graphs produced in the default mode were not as bright as those produced by some competitive units.
Halftone range: Grayscale is clearly visible from the 1% to 100% dot-fill levels, with distinct transitions between levels. Typical halftone range for inkjet printers: 4% to 90%. Color Print Density
Color Normal Cyan 0.83 Magenta 0.82 Yellow 0.69
Density of a printed image with blocks of all solid colors (based on the average of two readings for each color).

Print density

GX3050SFN

Range for tested units

Density of solid black printed image: Range, 0.98 to 1.02 (On a scale of 0 to 2.5, with 2.5 being as dark as would be possible under most circumstances. Based on four readings corresponding to four different locations on the original.). Density range for products in this class tested to date: 0.98 to 1.53. Ink Tests Black Waterfastness (Drip Test): The test measures the amount of colorant transferred from a printed area to an unprinted area when a drip of distilled water is allowed to run across five parallel bars. Five density readings are averaged for two separate drips. The sample is allowed to dry for one hour before drip test is performed. One sample is tested at default quality. Average Colorant Transferred
Drip 1 Ricoh GX3050SFN (default; Speed Priority) Average for products tested to date 0.06 0.73 Drip 2 0.06 0.75 Average 0.06 0.74
Black Highlighter Smearfastness: The test measures the amount of colorant transferred from a printed area to an unprinted area when briefly contacted by two types of highlighters. Density readings are taken for each type of highlighter before and after vertically crossing five printed parallel horizontal bars to determine the amount of black ink transferred. The sample is allowed to dry one hour before testing. One sample is tested at default quality.
Difference of Colorant Transferred
Alkaline Ricoh GX3050SFN (default; Speed Priority) Average for products tested to date 0.01 0.27 Acid 0.00 0.32

Print Productivity

BLIs Tested Print Speeds Pages per minute
excluding first page including first page 9.66 10.70 9.28 10.29

12 Color Monochrome

Print speed is tested using BLIs Test Original (with 6% page coverage for monochrome). The test page is printed in a quantity equal to double the vendors rated print speed for the device in each mode tested (e.g., if the vendors rated print speed is 20 ppm, 40 pages are printed). The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFNs print speeds were tested in the default Standard mode using the PCL 6 driver.

Tested First-print Times

Windows XP File Type File Extension Pre-Raster File Size Post-Raster File Size First-Print Time (seconds) Word Text DOC 114 KB 56.2 KB 10.53 PowerPoint Graphic/Text PPT 99 KB 116 KB 11.30 Photoshop Graphic TIF 20 MB 589 KB 21.09 Acrobat Graphic/Text PDF 171 KB 144 KB 15.91 Photoshop Graphic JPG 245 KB 125 KB 24.11

The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFNs first-print times were tested in default Standard mode using the PCL 6 driver. First-print time indicates the time it took to RIP, image and deliver the first page of the test document set to the output tray.
Manufacturers rated speeds: High Speed 300 x 300 dpi): 29 ppm black, 29 ppm color Speed Priority (300 x 300 dpi): 11.5 ppm black, 8.5 ppm color Quality Priority (600 x 600 dpi): 5.5 ppm black, 4.5 ppm color First-print time out of energy-save mode: 25.26 seconds.
Overall Color Copy/Print Efficiency

125% 0

Copy 1:1

Copy 1:2

Copy 2:2

Print 1:1 PCL 6

Print 1:2 PCL 6
BLI obtains the overall efficiency for each copy/print mode by averaging the efficiency ratings (derived by dividing the tested speed of the device by the rated speed, and then multiplying by 100) for each run length (1 and 5 sets).
Overall Black Copy/Print Efficiency

100% 0

Job Stream Evaluation BLIs job stream includes Word documents, Outlook e-mail messages, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, HTML and Acrobat PDF files, totaling 19 pages. This test simulates the type of traffic a typical device might experience in a real-world, multiuser environment. All of the files are sent to the printer as a group, at which time the stopwatch begins; timing ends when the last page of the last file exits the device. Job stream efficiency is determined by the percentage of the rated speed at which the unit operates when producing real-world jobs. The closer the rate is to 100%, or if it exceeds 100%, the more efficient the unit. Time to completion of all print jobs (color): The unit completed the job stream using the PCL 6 driver in 2 minutes and 33.69 seconds, running at 7.4 ppm, which translates to an efficiency rate of 87.1%. The unit completed the job stream using the RPCS driver in 2 minutes and 8.90 seconds, running at 8.8 ppm, which translates to an efficiency rate of 103.5%. Time to completion of all print jobs (black): The unit completed the job stream using the PCL 6 driver in 2 minutes and 34.00 seconds, running at 7.4 ppm, which translates to an efficiency rate of 67.3%. The unit completed the job stream using the RPCS driver in 2 minutes and 19.87 seconds, running at 8.2 ppm, which translates to an efficiency rate of 74.5%. Problems encountered: None Applications compatibility: Good (units are tested for compatibility with Microsoft Word 2000, Microsoft

PowerPoint 2000, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Adobe Acrobat 5.0 using 25 application test files, which contain text, graphics, halftone images, tables, etc. enabling BLI technicians to evaluate memory usage, file processing, font-rendering and grayscale capability). Print drivers: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN ships with Ricoh RPCS and PCL 6 print drivers. Operating system support: Windows 98, SE, 2000, Me, XP, 2003 and Vista. Network system support: Windows. Resolution modes: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN has three different resolution modes: 300 x 300 dpi, 600 x 300 dpi and 600 x 600 dpi. Noteworthy features: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN offers LDAP support, which is uncommon on products in this class. The driver includes unauthorized copy protection to prevent unauthorized copying of sensitive documents. By enabling this feature in the driver, users can embed patterns and text beneath the printed output. When the page is copied by a copier or a multifunction model, either the patterns are printed vividly or the copy is grayed out. The unit also includes Level Color mode in the driver, which reduces ink density up to 65% for graphics and images without affecting the readability of text.
Unauthorized Copy Control settings in the driver allow users to embed a masking pattern in output that will appear when the output is copied.
Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN PCL 6 Print Driver
Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN RPCS Print Driver
Send once/print many: No. When printing multiple collated sets, the file size increases by the number of sets requested when collate is selected from the Windows print screen within an application. Output was properly collated.

Connectivity

General: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN was connected to BLIs test network via its standard 10/100BaseTX connection. Embedded Web page: Yes. The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFNs embedded Web page allows users to view printer and system status, configure the print server and restart the print server.
Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN Embedded Web Page
Included software: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN includes the PCL 6/5c, RPCS print driver and SmartDeviceMonitor utility on one CD-ROM. SmartDeviceMonitor can be configured to start when the system boots and run minimized on the taskbar tray. The icon on the taskbar will give the user visual indications when there is an error or warning condition. This utility can be proactively accessed by double-clicking on the icon and can also be configured to give the user pop-up messages for alert conditions. Consumables monitoring: Yes. The user can check consumables via SmartDeviceMonitor or the RPCS print drivers Status Monitor utility.
SmartDeviceMonitor includes ink level status.
Performance of Standalone Fax Functions

Fax scanning speed: The average scanning speed is obtained from scanning into memory three originals using standard resolution and normal contrast settings; timing begins when the start button is pressed and continues until the last page exits onto the exit tray. Fax scanning speed with 4% page coverage original: 7.88 seconds per page; range for products in this class tested to date, 5.12 to 24.90 seconds. Fax scanning speed with 12% page coverage original: 7.88 seconds per page; range for products in this class tested to date, 5.15 to 24.92 seconds.
Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN Fax Setup
Performance of LAN Fax Functions
General: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN includes a separate fax driver. Sending a LAN fax from the workstation: Yes.
Performance of Scanner Functions
Scan to file: Yes. Scan to folder (local): Yes Scan to folder (network): Yes. Scan to e-mail (local): Yes Scan to e-mail (network): Yes. Scan to FTP: Yes.
Scanning software: The Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN is bundled with a TWAIN-compatible driver and Presto PageManager software.
Presto PageManager Users can use Presto PageManager to scan, share, and organize photos and documents. Users can convert paper documents into organized, digitized files, and can view, edit, send, and back up files in many formats. Presto PageManager Wrapper eliminates file-sharing problems by creating a self-executable file that can be put on a floppy disk, attached to e-mail or downloaded from the Internet.
Performance of Tested Special Features
Document Feeder Document feeding speeds: Monochrome 1:1 copy mode: 8.66 originals per minute. 1:2 copy mode: 8.73 originals per minute. 2:2 copy mode: 2.12 originals, or 4.24 images, per minute. Document feeding speeds: Color 1:1 copy mode: 5.85 originals per minute. 1:2 copy mode: 6.03 originals per minute. 2:2 copy mode: 1.97 originals, or 3.94 images, per minute.
8-1/2" x 11" originals.
Environmental specifications
Electrical system: 110-240V, 50/60 HZ, 2.5 amps. The unit tested had one three-wire cord (grounded), and carried UL approval for the United States and Canada. Paper fault: None. (Georgia-Pacific Spectrum Xerographic Bond and Georgia-Pacific Geocycle recycle paper containing 30% post-consumer fiber were used in this test unit.
CERTIFICATE OF RELIABILITY

Awarded to

Ricoh Americas Corporation
for the performance of the

in BLIs in-house durability test
RELIABILITY CERTIFIED L D AB TE TES

APRIL 2008

Anthony F. Polifrone MANAGING DIRECTOR
This is to certify that when subjected to a 5,000-impression Buyers Lab durability test in a networked environment, the Ricoh Aficio GX3050SFN proved to be a highly reliable product.

BUYERS LABORATORY INC.

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT OFFICE PRODUCTS TEST LAB AND BUSINESS CONSUMER ADVOCATE 20 RAILROAD AVENUE

HACKENSACK, NJ

201-488-0404

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COPYRIGHTCopyright UYERS LABORATORY. REPRODUCTION WITHOUT THE WRITTEN written permissionSTRICTLY FORBIDDEN. 2008 B 2008 Buyers Laboratory. Reproduced with the PERMISSION OF BLI IS of BLI.

Buyers Laboratory Inc.

Ricoh Americas Corp.

Ricoh GX3050SFN

Outstanding Inkjet Printer MFP
For Exemplary Performance Throughout BLIs Extensive Lab Testing

June 2008

Anthony F. Polifrone Managing Director DATE
THE LEADING INDEPENDENT OFFICE PRODUCTS TEST LAB AND BUSINESS CONSUMER ADVOCATE
BUYERS LABORATORY INC. 20 RAILROAD AVENUE HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 USA WWW.BUYERSLAB.COM
Copyright 2008 Buyers Buyers Laboratory. Reproduced with the written permission of is illegal and strictly prohibited. Copyright 2008 Laboratory. Reproduction without written permission from Buyers Laboratory Buyers Laboratory Inc.