Xerox Color 550/560

[Keness]

An interesting (possibly) side note about the 550/560...

Fuji Xerox (who actually developed these machines) has now released models based on this design. They go under the "ApeosPort" and "DocuCentre" brand names, though they are mechanically identical to the 550 & 560. Though not a perfect analogy, the ApeosPort would be akin to the DocuColor and the DocuCentre would be closer to the WorkCentre in the non-Fuji Xerox terminology.

The interesting part though is that they have released THREE models, not two. One at 50color/55b&w (the 550), another at 60color/65b&w (the 560) and a third, for which there is no DocuColor equivalent, at 70color/75b&w. (Possibly a future 570.)

Not even the 70/75ppm machine requires 220v.

Xerox has always played more "product positioning" games than Fuji Xerox does. This is one example. Another is allowing or disallowing certain features. (For example, the Oversize HCF is not possible with the WorkCentre 76xx and 77xx even though they are mechanically identical to the DocuColor 2xx which do allow them.)

Fuji Xerox seems to more often than not through it all on the wall and just see what sticks.

(Their prices are higher too, though, even when you take all the various exchange rate and CPI differences into account.)

My bet is that in about a year we'll see a 570 added to the line-up. (Just like the 260 which was late to the party, despite being available from the beginning from Fuji Xerox as well.)

[X700]

so here are some differences between the Xerox DC252/DC260 and the new Xerox 550/560 besides the cosmetics:

- B&W Speed (letter size 24 lb paper): DC250: 65ppm, DC260: 75ppm. X550: 55ppm, X560: 65ppm

- Color Speed in letter size 24 lb paper is the same: DC250: 50ppm, DC260: 60ppm. X550: 50ppm, X560: 60ppm

- But Color Speed in 12x18 300gsm coated paper is up to 50% faster (what most people run all day long): DC250: 8ppm, DC260: 10ppm. X550: 12ppm, X560: 12ppm

- Front to Back Registration (Lead Edge Direction): DC250/260 3mm, X550/560 1.2mm

- Alignment Profiler (Registration) and Paper Profiler are now available for the end user on the X550/560

- The X550/560 can officially duplex on glossy media; DC250/260 couldn't.

- Booklets in glossy/coated media can be done now on the X550/560.

- Booklets can now be up to 25 sheets on the X550/560 compared to only 15 sheets on the DC250/260

- Dual Oversized High Capacity Feeder is available for the X550/560

If I am correct, the registation Front to Back is actually +/-2.4mm, +/-1.2 each direction on duplex... according to specification sheet on the machine, which is still an improvement, but not good enough to run quality production - even the 700 at +/- 1mm on duplex is still critical enough as it rearely holds the registration...

"Advanced Registration Technology for tighter
control, ±1.2 mm along lead edge, ±2.4 mm
side to side"