🚀 Xerox Phaser 6350DP: A Deep Dive into a High-Speed Color Workhorse
The Xerox Phaser 6350DP, a high-performance color laser printer, was engineered for the demanding environment of large workgroups and busy offices. At its core, the 6350DP prioritizes speed, high volume, and network readiness, offering a compelling solution for businesses needing to churn out both monochrome and color documents rapidly.
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| Xerox Phaser 6350DP: A Deep Dive into a High-Speed Color Workhorse |
This in-depth review explores the key features, performance metrics, and overall value proposition of the Xerox Phaser 6350DP, considering its specifications: Color, 36 Ppm, 2400 Dpi, 700-SHEET Standard Capacity, USB 2.0, 10/100Base-TX Ethernet.
Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification (Phaser 6350DP) | Impact on Workflow |
| Print Speed (Color/Mono) | Up to 36 ppm / 36 ppm | Exceptional speed for minimal waiting, even with complex color jobs. |
| Print Resolution | 2400 dpi | Sharp text and fine detail for graphics and business charts. |
| Monthly Duty Cycle | Up to 120,000 pages | Built for extreme high-volume printing environments. |
| Standard Paper Input | 700 sheets (150-sheet bypass + 550-sheet tray) | High standard capacity reduces frequency of paper loading. |
| Maximum Paper Input | Up to 2,350 sheets (with optional trays) | Scalable for the busiest departmental needs. |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, 10/100Base-TX Ethernet | Network-ready for easy sharing across a workgroup. |
| Duplexing | Standard Automatic 2-sided printing | Saves paper and creates professional, finished documents. |
| Processor/Memory | 800 MHz PowerPC / 512 MB Std (up to 1 GB) | Handles complex files quickly without causing bottlenecks. |
| Hard Drive | Standard Internal Hard Drive (20 GB) | Enables features like Secure Print, Proof Print, and Saved Print. |
⚡ Blazing Fast Performance and Power
The most defining characteristic of the Phaser 6350DP is its sheer speed. Rated at up to 36 pages per minute (ppm) for both color and black-and-white, this machine was a champion in its class upon release. Early lab tests confirmed its ability to meet and even exceed its rating for lengthy text and complex graphics documents.
First-Page-Out Time (FPOT): As fast as 10 seconds for color, significantly minimizing waiting time for short jobs—a critical factor in a busy office.
Processor Power: Equipped with a robust 800 MHz PowerPC processor and a generous 512 MB standard memory (expandable to 1 GB), the printer efficiently processes large, graphic-intensive files, offloading the burden from workstations and the network.
High Duty Cycle: The impressive 120,000-page monthly duty cycle is a clear indicator that Xerox designed the 6350DP to be a true workhorse, capable of handling relentless printing demands day after day.
🎨 Print Quality and Color Fidelity
While the main focus is speed and volume, the 6350DP does not compromise on output quality. The 2400 dpi maximum resolution ensures sharp, crisp text that is easily readable even at small point sizes.
For color printing, the printer offers good overall quality, suitable for professional business graphics, presentations, and internal marketing materials. Key color features include:
Color Standards Support: The printer supports professional standards like PANTONE-approved solid-color simulations, Adobe PostScript, and various ICC color management systems. This advanced control is essential for corporate branding consistency.
Business-Grade Graphics: Charts, graphs, and corporate logos are rendered with good contrast and accuracy. While it may not match the photo-realistic output of some dedicated photo printers (especially older models), its graphics are more than adequate for high-level business use.
⚙️ Enhanced Features for the Workgroup
The "DP" in 6350DP signifies several key features that enhance its utility in a shared environment:
Standard Automatic Duplexing: The inclusion of standard two-sided (duplex) printing is a major plus, promoting paper savings and enabling the easy production of professional, bound-ready documents.
Excellent Paper Handling: With a standard input capacity of 700 sheets and a maximum capacity of 2,350 sheets, the printer can run for extended periods without operator intervention. It also supports a variety of media weights (up to $80 \text{ lb}$ cover stock) and custom sizes, offering versatility for different printing tasks.
Network and Security Ready: The 10/100Base-TX Ethernet port makes it simple to integrate into any office network. Crucially, the standard internal hard drive enables advanced features like Secure Print, where jobs are held on the printer until the user enters a PIN at the control panel, ensuring document confidentiality—a must for HR, legal, and finance departments.
🔄 Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
For a high-volume machine, TCO is always a major consideration. The 6350DP was positioned to offer a competitive TCO, primarily through its high-capacity toner cartridges.
The high-yield toner options for the 6350 series offer yields of up to 10,000 pages per color (CMY) and black cartridge. While the initial cost of consumables is high, the substantial page yield helps to drive down the cost-per-page (CPP), making it a more economical choice for businesses with heavy printing needs compared to models using lower-capacity cartridges.
✅ Conclusion: A High-Volume Office Staple
The Xerox Phaser 6350DP is, fundamentally, a speed machine built for the non-stop color and monochrome demands of a large workgroup.
What it excels at:
Industry-leading print speed for both color and mono.
High monthly duty cycle for extreme printing volumes.
Robust paper capacity and duplexing for high efficiency.
Advanced workgroup features (network readiness, secure printing).
Considerations:
While print quality is excellent for business documents and graphics, it may fall slightly short of photographic-quality output compared to some contemporaries.
The initial cost of high-yield toner is substantial, though offset by its yield and favorable CPP.
For an organization where speed and reliability are paramount for high-volume color and monochrome printing, the Xerox Phaser 6350DP remains a remarkably capable and sturdy