Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF Review: A Big and Burly SME Machine for Heavy Use

Whether all – in – one or multifunction, most modern day business printers are categorically designed to be compact and lightweight. In fact, such has been the focus on these characteristics that most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) even compromise on output quality and speed to ensure that their machines are not too huge. This is precisely why many of the colour laser printers that we’ve reviewed fall short when we assess their overall output quality. In fact, we don’t remember reviewing any printer that showed good graphics and image quality.

Fortunately, that trend is about to change with this review of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF multifunction printer. This multifunction device, like most other printers we’ve reviewed, is also designed for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, this device seems to want to cater to the upper band of that spectrum. In other words, you’ll want to get the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF if you expect heavy use in an SME. In fact, all the strengths and weaknesses of this printer actually reflect this intention. Consider.

Strengths of Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF

Colour laser printers are not really known for their output quality. While their text prints tend to be quite decent, most laser printers fall woefully short when it comes to printing graphics and images. In fact, typically, you can’t use a laser printer to print graphics and images for any external purpose involving clients or marketing. The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF prints graphics and images as well as it prints basic text. While such laser prints usually see output quality related problems such as banding and poor colour matching, this isn’t the case with the CM305DF. There are a few technology based reasons why this multifunction printer is capable of producing good output quality.

These include the 3 Dimensional Accurate Colour Mapping and Direct Transfer Technology which ensures colour sharpness as well as colour accuracy. Colour accuracy and shade balance is also ensured through a separate feature known as Natural Image Enhancement. Another quality of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF multifunction printer is that it has the automatic duplexing feature.

In ensuring all this speed and convenience, it can be easy to overlook security factors but Fuji Xerox hasn’t done that. These include the 3 Dimensional Accurate Colour Mapping and Direct Transfer Technology which ensures colour sharpness as well as colour accuracy. Colour accuracy and shade balance is also ensured through a separate feature known as Natural Image Enhancement. Another quality of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF multifunction printer is that it has the automatic duplexing feature.

In ensuring all this speed and convenience, it can be easy to overlook security factors but Fuji Xerox hasn’t done that. These include the 3 Dimensional Accurate Colour Mapping and Direct Transfer Technology which ensures colour sharpness as well as colour accuracy. Colour accuracy and shade balance is also ensured through a separate feature known as Natural Image Enhancement. Another quality of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF multifunction printer is that it has the automatic duplexing feature.

In ensuring all this speed and convenience, it can be easy to overlook security factors but Fuji Xerox hasn’t done that. With respect to document security, the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF is one of the better options out there again. There are three different security layers that can be used with this multifunction printer to ensure that no security breach occurs from any angle.

The first of these is the fact that the control panel of this multifunction printer can be password protected so that no one can access sensitive documents directly from the printer. The second is SSL and Ipsec encryption based protection for data being sent over the network so as to prevent interception by unauthorised sources. The third layer of security is brought in through IP control so as to control which computers can use the printer. Additionally, Secure Fax Receive and Secure Print software programmes can be used for protecting individual jobs.

The build quality of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF can also be considered as one of its strengths. The hardware is strong and resilient while the entire machine is highly reliable as well. In simplest of terms, this means that this machine will not break down as frequently as machines in the same segment from other OEMs do. It should also be noted that not only is this machine more reliable than a lot of its competitors but also much easier to use.

Weaknesses of Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF

The biggest problem with the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF multifunction printer is that it is big. This machine is one of the biggest you’ll find in the market which means that you shouldn’t be planning to share a desk with it. The CM305DF spans 430mm x 584.4mm x 544.2mm. You should also keep in mind that if you want to move this machine around, you’ll definitely need more than one person. Even though the dimensions make this printer look big, it is important to note that its footprint is actually quite reasonable. In other words, this machine is big but that is because it is tall and not because it is wide.

Another considerable downside of owning this multifunction printer is its sound. This is easily one of the noisiest machines out there within its class. The loudness of this printer is significant enough to distract you from your work so you might want to consider that before confirming your purchase. One thing that is missing from this machine that surprised us considerably was the lack of wireless connectivity. Most modern day all – in – one and multifunction printers tend to come with Wi-Fi Direct feature. This feature allows these machines to connect to an existing Wi-Fi network without the need for any wires. However, this option is not available with the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF which will require an Ethernet connection to work.

You should also note that should you lack enough time to open and connect a laptop to the network for a quick dash print job, then this machine does have the USB functionality. There is a USB port that will allow you to directly print and fax documents in such situations.

Key Features of Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF

If you feel drawn to the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF multifunction printer, then there could be any number of reasons for it. For instance, maybe you feel drawn to the fact that you’ll be getting a machine capable of printing, scanning, copying, and faxing at a great output quality. The maximum resolution that this machine can operate on is 600 x 600 dots per inch (dpi). This feat becomes even more impressive if you consider the fact that the machine gives you this resolution at a maximum speed of 23 pages per minute (ppm). The scan resolution that the CM305DF is capable of is even higher at 1200 x 1200 dpi.

The rated speed and resolution both put the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF at the top end of the pile of printers in the same segment. All these features don’t come at a high cost either. The total cost of ownership of this printer is to the tune of 28.25 cents. This isn’t bad considering its feature set and the level of quality it provides. More importantly, this per page cost can actually go down if you can find a reliable supplier of generic cartridges. We shamelessly propose Inkjet Wholesale to you for the same.

The memory capacity of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM305DF is to the tune of 256 MB which should be more than capable of handling the vast majority of print jobs. The paper capacity of this machine, in standard configuration, is 251 sheets with 250 for the paper tray and one for the manual feeder. However, you will have the option of taking this number to 501 sheets with the addition of an extra paper tray. You should also know that, these days, this machine is available with three year warranty as opposed to the one year that other machines in the same class come with.