Prices, in-depth review and comparison.
Introduction
Ricoh launched the IM C Series of colour A3 Multi-Function Printers in 2023; essentially, it’s a two-year-old model.
Xerox introduced the AltaLink C8200 Series in September 2024. The C8200 Series is based heavily on the previous AltaLink C8100 Series, with a few minor improvements and ai functionality built in.
We pit the Xerox AltaLink C8255 against two of Ricoh’s light heavy weight models, the 55 page per minute IM C5510 and 60 page per minute IM C6010. The only difference between the two Ricoh models is the pages per minute speed 55PPm & 60PPM. It hardly seems worthwhile for Ricoh to create two nearly identical models. The C5510 was a later addition to the Im CXX10 range. The only explanation we can come up with is that it’s to compete with the wide variation of speeds offered by different manufacturers.
This is an in-depth review and analysis. We’ll provide you with a comprehensive comparison, including the best prices, service costs, and all the relevant statistics, so you have everything you need to know.
This review will also help you if you’re looking to buy or rent any of the following Ricoh office multi-function printers;
Ricoh IM Series C2010 / Ricoh IM Series C2510 / Ricoh IM Series C3010 / Ricoh IM Series C3510 / Ricoh IM Series C4510 / Ricoh IM Series 7010
Or buy or rent any of the following Xerox AltaLink office Multi-Function Printers;
AltaLink C8230 / AltaLink C8235 / AltaLink C8245 / AltaLink C8270
Key hardware and software differences
Included Hardware and Software
Trying to find out detailed specifications for the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 is a tough task. It would appear that Ricoh don’t want you to dissect their product specifications. In particular, it is nigh on impossible to find out detailed security information.
I’ve said this on nearly every comparison of the Xerox AltaLink. Without exception, all manufacturers, including Ricoh, do not provide a complete machine out of the box, you have to add several extras just to make it a “workable” machine. By contrast, Xerox include everything in their basic specifications. I have identified the minimum key components that you need to add to the Ricoh IM Series C5510C / C6010, just to bring it to an operational standard.
The following items highlighted in bold and red are what I consider the minimum options you need to add to the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010.
Paper Cassettes / Cabinet
The Xerox AltaLink C8255V has two upper 520 sheet SRA3 drawers and two lower high capacity A4 drawers (867 & 1,133) giving a total paper capacity, including the bypass, of 3,140 sheets. All trays can handle paper up to 300GSM weight.
The Ricoh IM Series C5510 / C6010 comes without a cabinet, but has two upper SRA3 paper cassettes with 550 sheets capacity and a 100 sheet bypass. The bypass and cassettes can handle up to 300gsm and SRA3. This means you get a total standard paper capacity of just 1,200 sheets.
To bring the Ricoh IM Series C7010 to a near equivalent capacity to the Xerox AltaLink C8270, you will need to add the High-Capacity Cassette Feeding Unit- PB3330 this unit holds 2,000 Sheets / A4 / 300gsm. Giving a total paper capacity of 3,200 sheets.
You could instead opt for the dual tray PB3320 this has 2 x 550 sheet drawers / SRA3 / 300gsm. Giving a total capacity of 2,300 sheets.
As with the Xerox AltaLink C8200 series, the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 can be equipped with an optional A4 Hi-Capacity side Feeder. Ricoh offers the Optional A4 side feeder LCIT RT3050 that holds 1,650 sheets / A4 / 300gsm. Which is way below the spec of Xerox’s unit that holds 3,000 sheets up to 300GSM.
The maximum paper capacity of the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 is 4,850. The maximum paper capacity of the Xerox AltaLink C8255 is 6,140 sheets.
The AltaLink C8200 Series can auto-duplex any size paper from any tray and up to 300GSM. The Ricoh IM Series duplex’s a maximum of 256GSM.
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 Ricoh (BN3150 – 125 sheets).
Secure Hard Drive
The Xerox AltaLink Hard drive is encrypted and has a complete and highly specified set of security tools as standard. Surprisingly, a Secure Hard Drive (Type M52) is an optional extra on the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010.
Genuine Adobe® PostScript®3
If you print PDF’s that require even the slightest accuracy, line drawings, designs etc., or you use any programmes from the Adobe suite, you’ll need Genuine Adobe Postscript. Mac users will also go wanting,; Mac’s default print language is Postscript. You’ll need to order Ricoh’s Optional – PostScript3 Unit Type M58.
Software integrations
Apps
The Xerox AltaLink C8255 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.
Ricoh does have some cloud services integrations and apps, and they have a customer facing App store. Ricoh does not offer an app building, app linking or customisation service.
Cloud Print and integration
Xerox have the highest rank and are named a Leader in Quocirca’s Cloud Print Services 2024 Landscape Report. Ricoh are a few places down the list, behind HP, Canon and slightly above Lexmark (now owned by Xerox).
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.
Ricoh list “Microsoft Cloud Printing” on the C5510 / C6010 brochure; you need to activate an app on the device.
The Xerox AltaLink C8200 series has Cloud Identity Provider (IdP) Integration, including Active Directory, Ping Identity, Okta. Ricoh also offer IDP integration.
With Xerox, there are apps to integrate with all the popular cloud business services e.g. Box / Google Drive / SharePoint to name a few. 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, Scriptum have completed integrations with SOS legal, as well as other industry specific software solutions.
Ricoh lists its integrations as OneDrive, SharePoint, G Workspace, Drive, Box, and many other popular cloud services.
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 Ricoh have also been rated as a leader, but once again behind HP and Canon.
Quocirca Security Image goes here It’s in the medial Library already
We were unable to find a comprehensive web page or brochure regarding the security certification and standards for the Ricoh IM C7010, there is no definitive list or statement from Ricoh. It appears that Ricoh are taking you down the path of having them manage your Security infrastructure and protecting you that way.
Both the Xerox AltaLink C8255 and Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 have certification for Common Criteria Security (ISO/IEC 15408).
Monthly print Capability
Ricoh states a recommended volume on the Ricoh IM C5510 is 12,000 prints per month (C6010 of 15,000). Xerox states that the AltaLink C8270 is suitable for average monthly print volumes of 22,000 pages.
Basic Specifications
| Key Features | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 |
| Model launch date | Sep-24 | May-23 |
| Speed – pages per minute A4 Colour | 55 | 55 / 60 |
| Speed – pages per minute A4 Mono | 55 | 55 / 60 |
| Recommended Average Monthly Print Volume (AMPV) Pages | 22,000 | 12,000 / 15,000 |
| First Copy out time Colour (seconds) | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| First Copy out time Black (seconds) | 3.2 | 2.9 |
| Print Resolution (D.P.I.) | 1,200 x 2,400 | 4,800 x 1,200 Equivalent |
| Inner output tray capacity (sheets) | 250 / 250 | Optional 1 Bin Tray BN3150 125 sheets |
| External face up Catch Tray capacity (sheets) | 100 | No |
Screen features and access control
| Screen & Access Features | AltaLink C8270 | Ricoh IM C7010 |
| Screen Size (inches) Tilting or Fixed | 10.1 / Tilting | 10.1 / Tilting |
| Pinch and Zoom assistive technology | Yes | Not Specified |
| Personalised layout for each user when logged on | Yes | Yes |
| Feature Customisation | Yes | Not Specified |
| Ability to lock features to unauthorised users | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to create one touch workflows | Yes | Yes |
| External Keyboard | Optional | No |
| Voice Activation | Optional | No |
| External Keypad | No | No |
| NFC Mobile unlock – Tap to Pair | Yes | Yes |
| Login with PIN | Yes | Yes |
| Login with Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| RFID Card Reader | Integrated (Optional) | Optional – Type M52 |
| Single Sign On SSO to Cloud Services – Oauth2 | Yes | No – Oauth2 to Microsoft only |
| Cloud idp Integration | Okta, Ping, Microsoft Azure | Yes |
| Full integration to LDAP | Yes | Yes |
| Access Cloud repositories for printing | Yes | Yes |
| Active Directory | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to create one touch apps for commonly performed tasks | Yes | Yes |
| Embedded Web Server | Yes | Yes |
The Xerox AltaLink C8255 and Ricoh IM Series C5510 and C6010 both have tilting 10.1 inch screens. You can also supplement the Xerox with a keyboard and / or voice activation. Xerox also offers greater individual personalisation and customisation, along with AI assistance to help users.
Apps and Ai features
| Apps & Ai Features | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM Series |
| AI-Assisted Adaptive Learning | Yes | No |
| Pre-installed AI-Assisted Apps | Yes | No |
| Customer facing app portal | Yes | Yes |
| Ability for app creation | Yes | No |
Printing Features and cloud print services
| Printing Features | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM Series C5510 / C6010 |
| Application defaults configurable (e.g. print emails in mono) | Customisable | Customisable |
| Rules Based Printing | Yes | Yes |
| Configurable user permissions (user, group, time & date, Colour or Mono) | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Universal Print Support | AltaLink device is registered with Microsoft Universal Print and eliminates the need for the Universal Print Connector | Yes – via App |
| Apple AirPrint | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Printing | Yes | Yes |
| Printing from 3rd party Cloud services | Yes | Yes |
| Genuine Adobe® PostScript®3TM | Standard | Optional – PostScript3 Unit Type M58 |
Both the Xerox AltaLink C8200 Series and the Ricoh IM Series C5510 & C6010 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. Ricoh offers advanced cloud services, but some of this requires you to subscribe to Ricoh’s Smart Integration service. At this level of machine, we expect a manufacturer to include Genuine Adobe PostScript. It’s included with the Xerox AltaLink, but Ricoh charge extra for this.
Scanning features and cloud services
| Scanning Features | AltaLink | Ricoh IM Series |
| Single Pass Scanning Document Feeder | Standard | Standard |
| Document Feeder capacity – sheets | 250 | 220 |
| Document Feeder Speed Mono (Single sided images per minute) | 135 | 150 |
| Document Feeder Speed Mono (Double sided images per minute) | 270 | 300 |
| Scanning Resolution D.P.I. | 600 x 600 | 1,200 |
| Simplified auto set up to Gmail, iCloud, Microsoft, Yahoo | Yes | No |
| Scan to 3rd party Cloud services | Yes | Yes |
| OCR Scanning | Standard | Optional – OCR Unit Type M52 |
| Encrypted PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Scan Preview | Yes | Yes |
If you are scanning documents to a storage repository and you want to be able to search or reference the contents of that document in future, for example the text in a letter or invoice, you’ll need an OCR tool. OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. What OCR does is to “read” the contents of a document as it’s being scanned and creates a searchable data (meta) file. Xerox include this on the AltaLink; it’s an optional extra on the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010.
Memory, Hard Drive & Processor capability
| Memory & Processor & WiFi | ||
| Genuine Adobe PostScript 3 | Standard | Optional PostScript3 Unit Type M52 / M58 |
| Hard Drive Capacity | 256GB | 256 GB |
| Hard Drive Type | NVMe | SSD |
| AES 256 Encrypted Hard Drive | Standard | Enhanced Security SSD SATA Option Type M52 256 GB |
| Hard Drive Option | 1TB NVMe SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Processor | Intel Atom® Quad Core 1.91 GHz | ApolloLake E3940 1.6 GHz |
| RAM Memory | 4GB | 8GB |
| Wireless Option | Can use LAN & WiFi Direct Concurrent | Optional Wireless Interface Unit Type M52 Wireless or LAN – Not concurrent |
| Wi-Fi Direct without connection to LAN | Yes | No |
| i-Beacon | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
The headline specifications are evenly matched. Whilst the hard drive capacities are the same, Xerox uses the latest NV RAM chip, which is up to 5 times faster than an SSD Drive. The Xerox AltaLink Hard drive is encrypted and has a complete and highly specified set of security tools as standard. Surprisingly, Ricoh does not include a secure hard drive as standard on the IM Series C5510 / C6010. An enhanced security SSD Option Type M52 256 GB is available at additional cost.
If you print any type of design document, drawings, plans, schemes or output from any Adobe suite products, ideally you should have Genuine Adobe Postscript. The Xerox AltaLink has Genuine Adobe Postscript as standard. Ricoh only offers Postscript emulation as standard. Genuine Adobe Postscript is an extra cost option.
Paper Capacities & Options
| Paper Capacities | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM C Series |
| Standard Capacity | 3,140 | 1,200 |
| Tray 2 (Max Sheets / Max Size / Max Weight) | 520 / SRA3 / 300gsm | 550 / SRA3 / 300gsm |
| Tray 3 (Max Sheets / Max Size / Max Weight) | 867 / A4 / 300gsm | Optional PB3330 2,000 Sheets / A4 / 300gsm OR PB3320 2 x 550 / SRA3 / 300gsm |
| Tray 4 (Max Sheets / Max Size / Max Weight) | 1133 / A4 / 300gsm | |
| Side Feeder – Tray 5 (Max Sheets / Max Size / Max Weight) | Optional 3,000 / A4 / 300GSM | Optional LCIT RT3050 1,650 / A4 / 300gsm |
| Maximum possible paper capacity including bypass (sheets) | 6,140 | 4,850 |
| Maximum Paper Weight single sided Through cassettes (gsm) | 300 | 300 |
| Maximum Paper Weight duplex (gsm) | 300 | 256 |
| Bypass capacity )Sheets) | 100 | 100 |
| Bypass Maximum Size / Weight | SRA3 / 300GSM + Banners | SRA3 / 300GSM + Banners |
| Print on to SRA3 | Yes | To print crop marks on to SRA3 you need to purchase a Type M19 Imageable area extension unit |
| Banner Feeding | Optional Long sheets/banners 320mm x 1,320mm 106 – 220 gsm |
Optional M52 148mm – 1,260mm 128 – 230 gsm |
Out of the box, the Xerox AltaLink C8255 leaves the Ricoh IM Series C5510 / C6010 severely wanting in the paper capacity department.
The Xerox AltaLink C8255V comes standard with four drawers, giving a total capacity of 3,140 sheets. All paper trays handle 300GSM and SRA3 size paper.
The Ricoh cannot compete, with just two 550 sheet paper drawers as standard. When all the option boxes are ticked, the Ricoh has a maximum capacity of just 4,850 sheets.
The Xerox AltaLink C8270 will duplex on to 300GSM SRA3, the Ricoh IM C7010 can duplex on SRA3 up to 256GSM.
Depending on your needs, you may need to purchase the Optional Type M19 Imageable Area Extension Kit for the Ricoh IM C7010
Weight & Dimensions
| Weight & Dimensions | AltaLink C8270 | Ricoh IM Series C7010 |
| Width with 4 cassettes | 620MM | 587MM |
| Depth with 4 cassettes | 723MM | 701MM |
| Height with 4 cassettes | 1,130MM | 1,210MM |
| Weight | 160KG | 129KG with PB3330 |
Security and Access Control
| Security & Access Control | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM C Series |
| Simplified and Guided Security Set-up | Pre-Defined Templates | No |
| End of Life Secure Data Erasure | Standard | Optional & Chargeable |
| Job and Access Audit Log | Document / User / Function | Document / User / Function |
| On-box Single Sign-On (Oauth2) | Yes | No |
| FIPS 140-3 Enhanced Encrypted Security | Yes – FIPS 140-3 | FIPS 140-2 Optional Type M52 |
| TPM module (v2.0) compliant with ISO/IEC 11889 | Yes | Yes |
| RFID Card Reader port | Optional | Optional |
| NFC (Tap to Pair) | Standard | Optional M52 |
| Trellix McAfee® Embedded Control (whitelisting) | Standard | No |
| Trellix McAfee® Integrity Control | Optional | No |
| Transport Layer Security TLS | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) | Full System | Only when Optional HDD Type M52 320 GB is installed |
| Cisco® Identity Services Engine (ISE)Integration | Optional | Optional |
| Fleet Orchestrator | Yes | Not Stated |
| SIEM Support | Yes | Not Stated |
| Clone Capability for Enterprise wide cloned device roll out | Yes | No |
| Preset security templates | Yes | No |
| Device Sanitisation – remove all customer information on demand | Yes | No |
Ricoh do not appear to produce a comprehensive guide to their security offering on the IM C5510 / C6010.
Xerox is very open and transparent in respect of their security offering. They also produce an exceptionally detailed security document specifically for the AltaLink C8200 series.
You can download the full Xerox Security Guide specific to the AltaLink C8200 Series HERE
Toner capacities and supplies lifespan
| Supplies | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM C Series |
| Black Toner Capacity – A4 Pages | 59,000 | 42,000 |
| Cyan Toner Capacity – A4 Pages | 28,000 | 28,000 |
| Magenta Toner Capacity – A4 Pages | 28,000 | |
| Yellow Toner Capacity – A4 Pages | 28,000 | |
| Drum Life – pages | 180,000 | Not Stated |
| Transfer Belt Cleaner – page life | 160,000 | Not Stated |
| Second Bias Transfer Roll – page life | 200,000 | Not Stated |
| Waste Toner Container | 69,000 | 100,000 |
Toner capacities may not be the top of one’s considerations when it comes to choosing an office duty Multi-Function Printer; however, it does mean that you’ll be changing the black toner slightly less frequently with a Xerox AltaLink C8200 Series. You’ll need to hold fewer supplies too, as the Xerox drums have a universal fit across CMYK. The Ricoh IM C7010 has a higher waste toner capacity.
Environmental and power consumption
| Environmental | Xerox AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM C 5510 / C6010 |
| Warm up time (Cold) Seconds | 8.5 | 23 |
| Warm up time (Standby) Seconds | 4.5 | 12 |
| Proximity Sensor for auto wake up | Yes | No |
| Energy Star | Yes | Yes |
| EPEAT Gold (Europe) | Yes | No |
| Blue Angel | Yes | Yes |
| Power Consumption (TEC) kWh/Week | 0.49 | 0.62 / 0.67 |
| Cisco EnergyWise® | Yes | No |
| Noise Level operational db | 70.4 | Not stated |
| Noise Level Standby db | 43 | Not Stated |
Optional Extras
| Finishing | AltaLink C8255 | Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 |
| Convenience Stapler (requires Work Surface) | Optional | No |
| Work Surface / Utility Tray | Optional | No |
| Centre tray | Standard | Optional 1 Bin Tray BN3140 / BN3150 |
| Staple less finisher | No | SR3320 up to 5 sheets |
| Internal Finisher | Optional | SR3370 |
| Light Duty Finisher | Optional | SR3320 |
| Light Duty Booklet Maker | Optional | SR3330 |
| 2 / 4 hole Punch for Light Duty Finisher | Optional | Optional |
| Heavy Duty Finisher | Optional | SR3340 |
| Heavy Duty Booklet Maker | Optional | SR3350 |
| Hole Punch | Optional on Heavy Duty Finisher | Optional for all finishers |
| C/Z Folder for Heavy Duty Finisher(s) | Optional | Optional FD3020 works with or without finisher |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Wireless and Bluetooth Connectivity Kit | Optional | Optional |
| Second Ethernet port | Optional | Optional |
| 1TB Hard Disk | Optional | Optional |
| Tray Lock Kit | Optional | No |
| External Keyboard Kit | Optional | No |
| Trellix Integrity Control | Optional | No |
| Fax Kit | Optional | Optional |
| Voice Operation | Standard | No |
Ricoh and Xerox have a vast selection of accessories. In our experience, users rarely buy any of these 🤷🏻♂️.
Fiery Print Controller Options
For the uninitiated, a Fiery is best described as a print driver / print engine on steroids. It’s not only going to get you highly accurate colour matching, it handles those large complex files with ease. The Xerox AltaLink C8255 and Ricoh IM Series C5510 / C6010 can all be fitted with a Fiery Controller.
| Fiery Options | ||
| EFI Fiery Network Server | Optional EX-c | Optional E-26C |
| Platform | FS-350 | FS-500 |
| Memory | 2GB RAM – 500GB Hard Drive | 4GB RAM – 500GB |
| Processor | AMD® GX-424CC processor, 2.4 GHz, Quad-Core, 2M cache |
Intel Pentium G5400 |
| Impose / Compose | No | Optional |
| Fiery Options Bundle – Includes – Spot On – Virtual Folders – Auto Trapping | Optional | ColorRight / Automation / JobExpert |
| EFI Ethernet Hub Kit for Dual IP Configurations | Optional | No |
| EFI Colour Profiler Suite | Optional | Optional |
If you intend to double up your machine as an in-house marketing printer, then both Xerox and Ricoh have you covered. Ricoh are offering their E-26C Controller, which uses the newer FS 500Platform, whereas Xerox uses the FS-350 platform.
Both manufacturers offer a wide range of Controller software and hardware upgrades. We believe that if you need any of the additional software, then you probably need to consider a proper digital press, such as the Xerox PrimeLink.
Prices
Ricoh IM C5510 Best price
The best price we could find for the Ricoh C5510 was £4,395; however, upon further investigation, the supplier stated that this price did not include a Document Feeder, adding a further £1,195.oo to the price. For such a high-performance machine, the standard paper capacity is just too small; you will need to add additional paper capacity. To match the standard paper capacity of the Xerox AltaLink C8255 you would need to add a PB3330 paper stand (£1,113). Total price for the Ricoh IM C5510 is therefore £6,703.00
Bear in mind that this does not include Genuine Adobe PostScript (circa £475). You should also be vigilant about the security and protection of employee and customer data, making an Encrypted hard drive (Circa £395) an option not to be skipped. Bringing the total comparable price for the Ricoh IM C5510 to a whopping £7,573.00.
Ricoh IM C6010 Best price
The best price we could find for the Ricoh IM C6010 was £6,095, which included a Document Feeder. However, to match the standard specification of the Xerox AltaLink C8255, you would need to add a PB3330 paper stand (£1,113). Total price for the Ricoh IM C6010 is therefore £7,208.00
As with all models in the Ricoh IM C range, the C5510 standard Specification does not include Genuine Adobe PostScript (circa £475). We also consider the Encrypted hard drive an essential item in today’s security environment (Circa £395). Bringing the total comparable price for the Ricoh IM C6010 to jaw-dropping £8,078.00.
Xerox AltaLink C8255 Best Price
The price from Scriptum for the Xerox AltaLink C8255 is £6,107.00 for a machine that already includes a high capacity paper stand, Adobe Postscript, OCR Scanning and the all-important enhanced security. We regularly check competitors and guarantee to beat any advertised price from an Authorised Xerox Supplier.
You can buy a Xerox AltaLink C8255 HERE https://shop.scriptumds.co.uk/products/xerox-altalink-c8255-a3-colour-multi-function-printer-3-140-paper-supply-copy
Running costs and Service
As important as the cost of the machine is, it’s just as important to check the running cost. Over the life of the printer, you will spend around double the purchase cost of the printer running it, you didn’t mis-read that. Over its life, 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 for a full service and maintenance agreement on the AltaLink C8270 starts as low as 2.9p per colour print. The best service price we obtained on the Ricoh IM C5510 / C6010 was 2.99p per colour print.
Conclusion
We previously reviewed and compared the Xerox C8270 against the Ricoh IM C7010 heavyweight models. This review is essentially the same, but comparing their respective Light Heavyweight models.
The IM C5510 (55 pages per minute) and C6010 960 pages per minute) have a similar headline speed to Xerox’s AltaLink C8255 (55 pages per minute), but, that’s where the similarities ended. As with the heavyweight IM C7010, they once again both fell short in not including Genuine Postscript as standard. And once again, they do not come with a FIPS Encrypted Hard drive as standard. Without this, the Ricoh IM C5510 and C6010 models do not meet Common Criteria Specifications, that is a serious security concern for any business.
Xerox have always included just about everything in the standard offering, and the AltaLink C8255 follows that mandate. It totally upstages the Ricoh with what’s included as standard. Plus, Xerox is independently recognised as having a stronger set of cloud tools and more robust security.
In our opinion, Ricoh haven’t hit the high mark with the IM Colour Series. Given that Ricoh are one of the largest printer manufacturers in the world, they could have done way better with the resources they have.
The Xerox AltaLink C8255 joins its big brother in the winners’ circle; the C8270 wins the Light Heavyweight crown, defeating the Ricoh IM C5510 and C6010.
