On 24th June 2025 Kyocera launched the new TASKalfa MZ7001 SRA3 series of multi-function printers. The machine is also offered in the UK by a Kyocera subsidiary, UTAX. Their model number is 3509ci. Everything in this review refers in equal terms to both machines, as they are identical.

In this face off, we pit the 35 page per minute TASKalfa MZ3501 / UTAX 3509ci against the Xerox AltaLink C8235. We’ll give you a complete comparison, best prices, service costs, all the stats, everything you need to know. You can download the Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci brochure here

This review will also help you if you’re looking to buy or rent any of the following Kyocera office multi-function printers;

Kyocera TASKalfa MZ2501ci

Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501ci

Kyocera TASKalfa MZ4001ci

Kyocera TASKalfa MZ5001ci

Kyocera TASKalfa MZ6001ci

Kyocera TASKalfa MZ7001ci

Or any of the following UTAX models

UTAX 2509ci

UTAX 3509ci

UTAX 4009ci

UTAX 5009ci

UTAX 6009ci

UTAX 7009ci

Or buy or rent any of the following Xerox office Multi-Function Printers;

Xerox AltaLink C8230

Xerox AltaLink C8245

Xerox AltaLink C8255

Xerox AltaLink C8270

We’ve split this article into easy to consume sections as follows:

What hardware and software are included or extra?

What are the key hardware and software differences between the Kyocera TASKalfa and the Xerox AltaLink?

Included Hardware

Trying to find out detailed specifications for the Kyocera proved very difficult. Kyocera seem reluctant to provide any detailed specifications for their software offerings, compatibility and security. As well as not providing basic specifications for some of their hardware.

We think this is why Xerox win time after time in this area. Competitors produce a lot of marketing hype but are reluctant to state what is, and isn’t, included. Whereas, Xerox provides copious amounts of information for those interested, helping you to make an informed decision.

Kyocera / UTAX just can’t compete with the amount of hardware, software and security features that the Xerox AltaLink C8235 includes as standard. To match the basic specification of the Xerox you must add a lot of optional extras to the Kyocera. Xerox also includes a huge range of advanced software functionality for free. There is some software available from Kyocera, but it isn’t as advanced and well developed as the Xerox solutions, and it’s nearly all at an additional cost.

The following items are all chargeable extras on the Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci / UTAX 3509ci.

Document Feeder / Platen lid

The Xerox AltaLink C8235 comes standard with a Single Pass Document feeder, the Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci doesn’t even come with a platen lid, it’s an optional extra.

1. Platen Cover Type (E)
2. Optional Reversing Document Feeders – DP-7140 50 Sheets / DP-7150 140 Sheets.
3. Optional Single Pass Duplex Document Feeders – DP-7160 320 Sheets / DP-7170 320 Sheets. These latter two are the equivalent of the Single Pass Document Feeder that comes as standard on the AltaLink C8230.

Paper Cassettes / Cabinet

Depending on which version you choose the Xerox AltaLink C8235 comes with either four 520 sheet paper drawers (C8235V_T) all of which accept SRA3 paper, or the high-capacity version which sees the bottom two 520 sheet drawers swapped for 2 x high capacity A4 drawers giving a total paper capacity of 3,140 sheets (C8135V_F). With either version the paper drawers act as a built-in cabinet / stand.

The Kyocera comes with an upper A4 only tray with 500 sheets capacity and a 500 sheet SRA3 drawer below that.

You’ll need to stand the printer on something, but the Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci does not come with a cabinet. The buyer has to pay extra for either a plain cabinet or one of two optional stands with added paper capacity. You must choose one of the following;

1. CB-7200W Wooden or the CB-7211M Metal cabinet with no cassettes.
2. PF-7140 which adds an additional 2 x 500 SRA3 paper drawers.
3. PF-7150, which has two drawers, each capable of holding 1, 500 x A4 sheets.

As with the Xerox AltaLink C8200 series the Kyocera can be equipped with an optional 3,000 sheet A4 Hi-Capacity Feeder. Giving the Kyocera a Top Trump 7,150 total capacity versus 6,180 on the AltaLink C8235.

The AltaLink C8200 Series can auto-duplex any size paper from any tray and up to 300GSM. The Kyocera will only auto-duplex up to 256GSM.

Genuine Adobe PostScript®3

Xerox have included Genuine Adobe PostScript® on their A3 printers for many years. Genuine Adobe PostScript 3 drivers are designed to work seamlessly with Adobe software like InDesign and Illustrator, ensuring accurate rendering of complex designs and layouts, especially crucial for A3 prints. Postscript is also an essential requirement to get the best out of printing with any Apple products, such as Mac Computers.

Kyocera and UTAX only provide compatible drivers. There is no option to upgrade to Adobe PostScript®

OCR Scanning to PDF

If you are unfamiliar with OCR, it stands for Optical Character Recognition. When you scan a document, most Multi-Function printers will just scan it as an image PDF. This image contains no metadata, it does not recognise any of the text. OCR scanning on the other hand is where an on board processor in the printer scans the image and captures the text, converting it to readable metadata.

OCR scanning is crucial if you are adding documents to a storage repository / archive. At some point you may wish to search the text within the archive, OCR scanning makes this possible. OCR scanning is a critical requirement for law firms and anyone else where the text in a scanned document needs to be accessed.

Xerox include OCR scanning as standard. With Kyocera, you will need to pay for their optional Scan Extension Kit (A).

Hard Drive

The Kyocera MZ3501ci does come with a hard drive, albeit a tiny 64GB SSD. We think this is too small for a busy office with multiple users. There is an upgrade to a 320GB SSD. The Xerox AltaLink C8235 comes with a 256GB NVMe SSD as standard.

Print Separation Tray

There is an inner job separation tray that is standard on the AltaLink. The tray can be used to separate print jobs from copy jobs, ensuring users do not inadvertently remove a colleague’s printouts. This is an extra cost item on the Kyocera (JS-7100 Job separator).

 Software integrations

Apps

The Xerox AltaLink C8235 comes with quite a lot of cloud software integrations and apps out of the box that are included as standard. You can find out more about the Xerox App Gallery HERE. Whilst some Xerox apps are totally free, some are credit based and these will expire at some point. You can buy more credits without committing to a subscription. Xerox has a customer facing portal where end users can purchase credits or apps directly. Xerox has an open software platform; partners can create apps for customers according to a customer’s specific needs. Customers can link their own apps to Xerox’s connector.

Some of the apps available to download to your Xerox Multi-Function printer include Google Drive, Dropbox, DocuSign etc.

Kyocera does have some cloud services integrations and apps, but most of these are chargeable and appear to be available by request from Kyocera; they do not appear to have a customer facing App store. Kyocera does not offer an app building, app linking or customisation service.

Cloud Print and integration

Xerox are named a Leader in Quocirca’s Cloud Print Services 2024 Landscape Report. Xerox have taken a big step in the direction of cloud printing and have deeply integrated the AltaLink with Microsoft’s Universal Print offering, meaning that you do not need to use Microsoft’s Universal Print Connecter.

Kyocera list “Microsoft Cloud Printing” on the MZ3501ci brochure, but do not state if this is Microsoft Universal Print (MUP), nor how it connects. If it is MUP, you will need to use Microsoft’s Universal Print “Connecter, which may introduce limitations on functionality.

The Xerox AltaLink C8200 series has Cloud Identity Provider (IdP) Integration, including Active Directory, Ping Identity, Okta. We could find no information regarding this for Kyocera.

With Xerox you can scan to and print from Dropbox / 365 / OneDrive / Box / Google Drive / SharePoint and many other cloud print services. There are copious apps in the Xerox App Gallery and partners have access to create customised apps. Scriptum can connect your Xerox MFP to most cloud and hosted solutions. For example, we have completed integrations with SOS legal, as well as other industry specific software solutions.

Kyocera lists its integrations as OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive and Box.

Security

Xerox has the highest rating of all manufacturers in the Quocirca’s Global Print Security Landscape 2024 Report. Xerox are named a “Leader”. https://www.xerox.com/en-us/services/managed-print-services/quocirca-security-report – In the same report Kyocera have been rated much lower, behind HP, Canon, Ricoh, Sharp, Konica and Lexmark (recently acquired by Xerox).

Kyocera have produced a “Security White Paper for Kyocera MFP’s and Printers” as well as “Security Best Practices for Kyocera MFPs and Printers”. However, what’s lacking on both papers, is what printers have what security protocols; there is no definitive list or statement from Kyocera.

The Kyocera MZ3501ci does not have Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) Certification. This presents a serious, probably insurmountable, challenge for organisations that need to have the most robust security defences. We doubt that a CTO will “sign off” on connecting a non-compliant piece of hardware to his company network.

Download the full Xerox Security Guide specific to the AltaLink C8200 Series

Monthly print Capability

Kyocera do not state a recommended average print volume on the TASKalfa C351i. Xerox states that the AltaLink C8235 is suitable for average monthly print volumes of 12,000 pages.

Basic Specifications

The Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci and Xerox AltaLink C8235 appear to be even competitors if you go by the print speed as a category, but Kyocera charge extra for many basic features and hardware that are standard on the Xerox.

Screen features and access control

The screens on the Xerox AltaLink C8235 and Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci start out on an even footing, both have a tilting 10.1 inch screen. The Xerox pulls away thereafter with a much higher level of screen and user customisation and productivity features built in. Plus it has a proximity sensor, meaning the machine turns itself on as you approach.

Apps and Ai features

Printing Features and cloud print services

Both the Xerox AltaLink C8200 Series and the Kyocera TASKalfa C3900i Series do the traditional basics really well. When it comes to modern methods of printing and accessing cloud services Xerox have chosen to include what users are asking for, on the device straight out of the box and free of charge. Kyocera offers advanced cloud services, but most of this only works if you have a paid subscription to Kyocera’s own cloud solution.

Scanning features and cloud services

The Xerox AltaLink C8235 comes standard with a 130 sheet capacity single pass document feeder. The Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci does not come with a document feeder or even a platen lid as standard.

Memory, Hard Drive & Processor capability

The headline specifications are evenly matched. Whilst the hard drive capacities are the same, Xerox uses the latest NV RAM chip SSD, which is up to 5 times faster than a regular SSD Drive. Kyocera do not state the type of SSD.

Paper Capacities & Options

Out of the box, the Xerox AltaLink C8235 leaves the Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci severely wanting in the paper capacity department.

The “entry” Xerox AltaLink C8235V_T comes as standard with four drawers, giving a total capacity of 2,180 sheets. All paper trays handle 300GSM and SRA3 size paper. The C8235V_F version has 3,140 sheets as standard.

The Kyocera cannot compete, with just two 500 sheet paper drawers as standard, the upper of which can only accept A4 paper. When all the option boxes are ticked, the Kyocera trumps the Xerox with a grand paper capacity of 7,150 sheets. This will however only leave you with one drawer that takes paper larger than A4.

The Xerox AltaLink will duplex on to 300GSM SRA3, the Kyocera can only duplex on A3 up to 256GSM

Weight & Dimensions

Security and Access Control

Xerox has long since been a leader when it comes to the breadth and depth of its security offering, the comparison here shows that the Xerox AltaLink C8235 stands head and shoulders above the Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci, there’s just so much that Xerox have built in as standard. On their website, Kyocera mention a “Data Security kit”. But we could find no other reference to it, there’s nothing on the options list on the brochure.

Download the full Xerox Security Guide specific to the AltaLink C8200 Series

Toner capacities and supplies lifespan

Toner capacities may not be the top of users considerations when it comes to choosing an office duty Multi-Function Printer, however it does mean that you’ll be changing toners a lot less frequently with a Xerox AltaLink C8200 Series. You’ll need to hold less supplies too, as the Xerox drums have a universal fit across CMYK.

Environmental and power consumption

Protecting the environment is something we must all as corporates and individuals take seriously. Both Kyocera and Xerox have made massive strides in recent years to help us reduce our carbon footprints. Kyocera use lots of lofty words, but we could find little by way of any approvals or environmental accreditations or certifications applicable to the UK. We do like the on-board display of energy consumption on the Kyocera, we think it’s a useful feature that can show users the impact of their companies use of the printer.

Optional Extras

Kyocera and Xerox have a vast selection of accessories. In our experience, users rarely buy any of these 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Fiery Print Controller Options

If you are looking to produce any marketing material, presentations or promotional material and you need a high quality accurate colour finish, there really is only one choice. The Xerox AltaLink C8235 can be fitted with a Fiery Controller. For the uninitiated, a Fiery is best described as a print driver on steroids. It’s not only going to get you highly accurate colour matching, it handles those large complex files with ease.

Combine the Xerox’s premium print quality with the fact that it can auto duplex SRA3 up to 300GSM, means that you can produce your own in-house marketing material and get that all important full edge to edge colour, just like a professional print shop. In fact, many professional print shops use a Xerox AltaLink for this very reason.

Prices

We could only find one online price for a Kyocera TASKalfa MZ3501Ci configured to almost the standard specification as the Xerox AltaLink C8235.

We found a low price of £3,295 for the Kyocera MZ3501ci that included a Dual Scan Document Feeder and 2 x 500 sheet pedestal. Xerox still has a higher basic specification with Adobe Postscript, OCR scanning, a proper size hard drive, and comprehensive security all as standard.

Prices from Scriptum for the Xerox AltaLink C8235 start at £3,760.00 for a fully configured machine. You can find prices for the AltaLink C8235 HERE

As important as the cost of the machine is, it’s not nearly as important as the cost to run the machine. Over the life of the printer, you will spend at least double the cost of the printer running it, you didn’t mis-read that. The running cost of the printer will be your biggest outlay, easily outstripping the initial purchase cost, or the monthly rental. So you should do your due diligence and make sure that you get complete transparency from a supplier as to what they include, what’s extra, and what the tie in to the contract involves.

Running costs on the AltaLink C8200 Series start from as low as 2.9p per colour print.

Conclusion

The Kyocera has a decent specification on paper when it comes to speed and specs. However, what really stood out for us was the lack of basic security and transparency around security on the Kyocera TASKalfa. A key credential that is missing on the Kyocera is attainment of the Common Criteria Standard (ISO/IEC 15408).

Kyocera also make a great deal (as do all corporates nowadays) about their environmental aims and practices. The second surprise was the lack of recognised third party environmental credentials for the Kyocera MZ3501ci.

Software infrastructure and Security

Xerox AltaLink C8235 has ever security base covered and lacks nothing. There is also an additional security toolbox, including such things as the optional Trellix integrity control and Cisco Identity Services Engine integration.

If you are worried about Cybersecurity and data protection, Xerox have you covered. Security comes on the box as standard and works for the serious business user or corporate, and it can work for an SME who wants to deploy security without needing a high degree of IT knowledge.

Xerox’s ConnectKey open software platform gives you access to a huge range of apps, many of which are free and do not require subscription. The AltaLink C8200 series also comes preloaded with several Ai apps that dramatically improve user experience and productivity.

The Xerox AltaLink comes out of the box fully specified with no options needed, combine this with an open software platform and the best set of security credentials on the market, it’s a clear winner here.

Disclaimer

Whilst we have done our best at collating all of the information, we accept that there may be omissions and errors, especially in view of the fact that Kyocera / UTAX do not openly provide specific information.