SHARP AR-507 TONER CARTRIDGE

Sharp AR-507 Review

Overview:

More than just a stand alone copy machine, the Sharp AR-507 is a complete and customizable document processing system. With the incredible print and copy speeds of 50 pages per minute, along with an impressive range of additional and powerful copy, scan, and fax functions, the AR-507 can suit almost any business’ print demands.

Pros:

First off it is important to note that the Sharp AR-507 is a large format paper processing device, meaning that it can print and copy Ledger sized 11 x 17 in paper. This means that virtually every function of the unit is slightly more valuable due to the potential of large format printing. The device’s 50 page per minute print speed is, of course, limited to letter sized paper, but Ledger size will also print relatively swiftly.

The Sharp AR-507 is equipped with a built in duplexor as well as a duplexing automatic document feeder. With this 2 sided combination, double sided input can be scanned automatically and also printed to double sided output, making dealing with 2 sided material as fully automated as possible. This machine’s ADF is also a true single pass duplexing one as opposed to a reversing feeder, meaning that it scans both sized of input at once, significantly reducing scan time.

Standard paper storage capacity consists of two 500 sheet trays and an additional 50 sheet multipurpose tray is present as well. Additional paper storage trays and drawers bring the Sharp AR-507’s maximum potential paper capacity up to a whopping 3,000 sheets. Its document feeder is quite large as well with its 50 sheet capacity.

The flip top platen glass design allows users to take advantage of the document feeder or copy glass to make their reproductions, meaning that three dimensional objects such as magazines can be copied and scanned along with standard paper.

Basic copy functions are includes along side the Sharp AR-507’s impressive special features and include reduction and enlargement possibilities in the range of 25% to 400% in 1% increments. Reducing an image’s size allows the 2 on 1 and 4 on 1 functions to be activated. These functions take two or four pages worth of input, shrink them down, and print them onto a single page. Combining this feature with duplexing can result in outstanding savings in paper costs.

Cons:

As with any mid range copy machine such as the Sharp AR-507, price is an issue. With so many incorporated features, there is a distinct possibility that small office users simply wont take advantage of what is being paid for, in which case some buyers would be better off looking into some of the newer small copy machines that are coming out that, while inexpensive, offer incredibly high performance specifications.

The Sharp AR-507’s print resolution is downright disappointing at only 600 x 600 dots per inch. With all the high level functions the Sharp AR-507 is capable of, it still suffers from the drab, low quality monochrome limitations that many copy machines still endure. That being said, with its flaws, the unit would still make a powerful addition to a small office.