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Aficio 2022 Aficio 2022 SP Aficio 2027 Aficio 2027 SP
The Ricoh Aficio 2022, 2022 SP, 2027 & 2027 SP are an Editors Choice in the Better Buys for Business guide to mid-volume copier & multifunctionals, published May, 2004. Selections were based on rigorous analysis of all current models. Each of Better Buys 10 product guides contains: Editors Choice recommendations in a product area; features and technology overviews; vendor profiles; a detailed verdict on most models from most vendors; full specifications; and pricing information. This completely independent resource helps organizations make better buys. Better Buys for Business is the nations leading independent authority on document imaging equipment (copiers, printers, faxes and scanners). To assure its independence, Better Buys for Business accepts no advertising. Revenues are derived solely from the sales of its reports. For subscription information, call 800-247-2185 or visit www.BetterBuys.com

Jonathan Bees, Editor

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2004 Better Buys for Business allows both print and electronic reproduction of this document.

Independent Consumer Guides to Document Imaging Equipment

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THE THE MID-VOLUME COPIER OFFICE LASER & MULTIFUNCTIONAL PRINTER GUIDE
Editors Choice Awards Speeds from 20 to 49 pages per minute Analog, digital, and multifunctional machines

Ricoh Aficio 2027

Guide Number: 163
The Nations Leading Independent Buyers Guides for Office Equipment

EDITORS

CHOICE
Ricoh Aficio 2022 Ricoh Aficio 2022SP Ricoh Aficio 2027 Ricoh Aficio 2027SP 22ppm & 27ppm/digital
Sum-up: Enhanced new models with great features and value. This new Aficio family replaces the now-discontinued Aficio 1022 and 1027 in the product line. The machines offer a series of enhancements, many of which are also available on the new 2035e and 2045e. The new models have the latest version of the companys Next Generation Architecture, resulting in improved scanning and faxing capabilities. Input and output accessories have generally remained the same, although items such as the duplex tray and bypass are now standard. Both standard and maximum memory has also been increased. Base prices on the Aficio 2022 and 2027 are $5,245 and $6,585, respectively. These prices are slightly higher than those found on their predecessors, but this can be explained by the inclusion of the bypass and automatic duplex as standard equipment. Ricoh also offers bundled versions of the machines that include both printing and scanning as standard. The Aficio 2022SP lists for $7,125 and the 2027SP goes for $8,465. The SP versions are new at this level; there were no SP versions of the 1022 and 1027. Overview: The Aficio 2022 and 2027 have a lot in common with the Aficio 2035e and 2045e platform, although they have slightly different accessories. One item in common on the models is they use the same excellent touch-screen control panel as their faster siblings. The new machines scan and output copies at 600dpi resolution, and include scan once/print many as a standard feature. Standard memory has also been increased, from 32MB to 64MB, and maximum memory has been boosted from 96MB to 192MB. Note that the SP versions come standard with 192MB of memory. The machines copier function has remained nearly unchanged compared with the Aficio 1022 and 1027. It provides a broad range of digitally

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enabled features, such as image rotation (to automatically rotate images to the paper orientation), image combination (copying multiple images onto a single sheet), and positive/negative image. It also has page numbering and message stamping. Document Server: If you purchase the $350 hard drive option (this has been increased from 6GB to 20GB), you get a feature Ricoh calls Document Server. This feature, which is standard on the Aficio 2022SP and Aficio 2027SP, is a powerful system for storing documents. The Document Server feature uses the image memory and hard drive in the machine to store scanned documents as files on the hard drive for later use. It functions as an on-demand system for frequently copied items such as forms or manuals, and if the machine is connected to a network, the feature can be used for sophisticated edit functions, including merging hard copy and electronic files. Note that if you opt for printing on the machines, Ricoh provides a variety of different software utilities, one of which is a document-management software application called DeskTopBinder. The version that comes standard with the print upgrade is called DeskTopBinder Lite, and the more powerful version, DeskTopBinder, is an optional upgrade. This software allows you to efficiently manage the scanned images on the Document Server, including the ability to search for files under the user name, file name, or time created. It can also be used to import images from the Document Server to your PC, where they can be dropped into various desktop software applications. If needed, the software has an OCR function for changing the images into editable text. In a new development, the machines have a capability called Web Image Monitor. Using the Web browser software in their PC, users are able to access the Document Server and view, download, and print stored files. They are also able to program email addresses, fax numbers, and network folders. This is in contrast to having to load client software like DeskTopBinder on their PC. Paper handling: The Aficio 2022 and Aficio 2027 come with dual 500-sheet paper trays 1,000sheet paper-tray option for $1,395. Both models offer an optional reversing document feeder that has a 50-sheet capacity and lists for $1,265. In a nice touch, you dont have to buy an offset catch tray or finisher to produce collated output.

2004 Better Buys for Business allows both print and electronic reproduction of this document.
The standard configuration gives you a 500-sheet internal catch tray with no stapling, and for $310 you can add a 125-sheet tray that sits just above it and provides a second output area. This tray is typically used to collect fax output. The models also come with an optional 250-sheet shift tray that lists for $310. The tray provides offset stacked sets of collated output. If you need stapling, the machines offer a low-cost 500-sheet finisher with 30-sheet single-position stapling. List price is $995, and you also have to buy a $190 kit. There is also a more robust 1,000sheet finisher with 50-sheet multiposition stapling that lists for $1,410 (you need the $190 kit here, too). Copier productivity: Copier productivity was unchanged on the new models. For the most part, this is good news since the older machines produced excellent results during our productivity tests. However, like the Aficio 1022 and 1027, the Aficio 2022 and 2027 have a few areas that need improvement. For example, on the single-sided, 4-set test, the Aficio 2022 ran at 22ppm, which is 100% of rated speed. On both the single-to-doublesided and double-to-double-sided versions of the test, the Aficio 2022 ran at 91% of rated speed. While these are impressive results, we were disappointed by the 18 seconds the machine took to staple four sets. (Anything more than 10 seconds is slow.) The Aficio 2027 offered slightly lower performance than the Aficio 2022 but was still quite strong. For example, on the single-sided version of the 4-set test, the Aficio 2027 ran at 24ppm, which is 89% of rated speed. On the single-to-double-sided version of the test, the Aficio 2027 ran at 85% of rated speed, and it ran at 78% of rated speed on the double-to-double-sided test. Stapling added 15 seconds to job time, a small improvement over the Aficio 2022. The Aficio 2027s results are competitive, with the exception of its stapling performance. Multifunctional upgrades: The Aficio 2022 and 2027 use the same innovative controller architecture as their predecessors. With most digital models, when you select a network print option this involves adding software, a hard drive, and a CPU (central processing unit). The various components are, in effect, mounted on top of the machines operating system, hard drive, and CPU. This redundancy results in reduced printing performance and limits the multifunctional potential of the system. It also adds to the cost of manufacturing the machine and drives up the cost of the various upgrades because each one has its own CPU and operating system. On the Aficio 2022 and 2027, however, the design is more direct. When you select network printing there is no additional hard drive and CPU to install because you use the hard drive and CPU already resident in the copier. All that is required to give the machines printing and scanning functionality is a simple upgrade kit. (Note that these functions are standard on the SP versions.) With the Ricoh architecture, copy, print, scan, and fax jobs are processed using a single operating system, resulting in increased performance and a broader range of multifunctional features. Lastly, the design results in a reduction in manufacturing costs since the duplication of hard drives and CPUs has been eliminated. Ricoh has made a series of enhancements to the controller responsible for these functions. One of the more obvious is the con-

troller CPU speed has been increased from 200MHz to 400MHz. As mentioned earlier, both standard and maximum memory capacities have been expanded. In addition, the company now offers optional support for Wi-Fi (wireless Ethernet), USB 2.0, and IEEE 1394 (FireWire). A Bluetooth option is in the works. Print function: The Aficio 2022 and 2027 offer an optional print/scan kit that lists for $2,100. (This is standard on the SP versions.) The option includes printing support for PCL 6 and Ethernet. PostScript 3 is available as a $595 option. This is in contrast to the Aficio 1022 and 1027 which had both a print option and a print/scan option. The print/scan option includes Ricohs RPCS (Refined Printing Command Stream). RPCS is proprietary Ricoh driver software that provides enhanced printing capabilities and uses an advanced iconbased user interface. The print/scan option also includes the companys SmartDeviceMonitor and Web Image Monitor network-management software. These software utilities allow users to view and manage all four machine functions over the network. Further, you can get machine status information such as whether the machine needs toner or is out of paper. Scan function: As mentioned above, scanning is available on the Aficio 2022 and 2027 through buying the $2,100 print/scan kit. The scan function features scan-to-email, scan-to-folder, and scan to FTP. It supports JPEG, PDF, TIFF, and a variety of other file formats. The scanning enhancements introduced with the Aficio 2022 and 2027 include LDAP email support, which provides integration with email address books. Previously, this was only available through the purchase of Ricohs server-based GlobalScan option. In addition, the scan function now allows ad hoc e-mail addressing using the models touch-screen control panel. Fax function: The fax option features a 33,600bps modem and lists for $1,095. If you want JBIG compression, that will cost you another $430. Compared with prices from competitors, this pricing is on the high side if you factor in JBIG compression. For example, Canons option costs only $995, and this includes JBIG compression. The models also offer a second fax line option, based on a 33,600bps modem. The cost of adding a second fax line is only $650, and if youve already upgraded to JBIG on the first fax modem, you dont need to pay to get it on the second one. With two fax lines in place, users are able to send and receive documents simultaneously. While the Aficio 1022 and 1027 also offered an ISDN fax option also known within the industry as Group 4 this has been dropped on the Aficio 2022 and 2027. However, Ricoh has added a number of advanced capabilities, including Internet fax (ITU T.37), LAN fax, and fax forward to email. Conclusion: The Aficio 2022 and 2027 are excellent machines. They are reasonably priced and include a complete range of multifunctional capabilities. All four models receive our Editors Choice Award.

Excerpted from The Mid-Volume Copier & Multifunctional Guide, volume 163, May 2004. 2004 Progressive Business Publications, Inc.
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