INK & TONER
NEC IT-5050 Review
 
Editor's Review
NEC IT-5050 by Erik Lynch 08/23/2010 OVERVIEW: The NEC IT-5050 is a user friendly multifunctional unit with a wide range of copy features and impressive performance statistics. Most notably is its raw speed, which makes it stand out above the rest of the MFCs in its category of mid size copy machines.
Editor's Pros & Cons
PROS: With an incredible print speed of up to 50 pages per minute, the NEC IT-5050 blows away much of its competition. Copies come at equal speed, even from individual page sources, thanks to a powerful, built in automatic document feeder. First copy out time is also exceptional at only 3.5 seconds, whereas other machines can range in speed all the way up to 15 seconds. Various finishing options, including staplers and stacking additions, allow buyers to fully customize their NEC IT-5050 to particular needs without spending money on hardware that is unnecessary. The built in positive or negative copy feature is very useful for inverting images in order to save massive amounts of ink. The device can hold its own as a stand alone copier but, when connected to a host PC or network, it also serves as a very powerful printer. With an Ethernet port included, the unit is capable of a network connection with both Mac and PC systems, along with both PostScript 3 emulation and PCL 6. The unit also comes complete with automatic duplexing built in, which is very convenient when double sided output is required in high volume. Duplexing can also reduce paper usage by virtually half. Network scanning allows for a wide range of options when converting hard material straight to a digital format such as TIFF, JPEG, and PDF. Scan-to features allow users to scan directly to and e mail, FTP, or SMB. An on board image enhancer helps to make up for the general lack of quality scan resolution. Faxing is made possible via a 33.6 Kpbs modem which can transmit at a rate of about three seconds per page. Duplex faxing, as well as oversized faxing up to 11 in. x 17 in., is possible with the unit, along with fax forwarding and fax storage. CONS: The NEC IT-5050 offers a very mediocre maximum print and copy resolution of only 600 x 600 dots per inch but, for a heavyweight black and white copy machine intended primarily for monochrome text documents, this is within acceptable range. Scanning, though network compatible, is also lacking in overall resolution. The only other real downside to a fully loaded machine such as the NEC IT-5050 is the high price. Unless the powerful features of a medium level copy machine are absolutely necessary, small businesses may do better with a lower end desktop, expandable multifunctional center.
INK/TONER NEEDS:
There is only one toner cartridge option for the NEC IT-5050, but it is of high enough capacity to accommodate even the most rigorous usage. With up to 34,000 pages at a 5% coverage printable from each unit, refill cycles will be conveniently long, even under heavy volume scenarios. 
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