The OKI C8800n is a large format color laser printer for the small or medium office. The printer can support printing on up to A3 size media, when large format is necessary. The C8800n is surprisingly compact for a large format laser printer, as they tend to be fairly bulky. The printer comes in only a little bulkier than a typical laser printer.
The “N” in the name refers to the networking capability built in to the printer. It has a built-in ethernet port for connecting directly to a network for sharing among multiple computers. This allows for simple sharing without the need to be connected to a computer. Duplexing (double-sided printing) is not available in the N model, but is available as an option in the C8800dn model.
The unit comes with a 300-sheet drawer and a 100-sheet multipurpose feeder, providing a decent amount of paper capacity for its size. Many manufacturers are putting smaller drawers in printers as a cost-cutting measure, so it is nice to see more capacity included.
The C8800n can print at a resolution up to 1,200 dpi for very sharp prints, and its print speed is quite fast at around 26 pages per minute. This is especially sharp and fast for a large format printer, resulting in fast and sharp large prints.
The C8800n also has an interesting design feature in that it separates the drum and toner as two separate replacement items. Most printers include the drum with the toner cartridge, and while this seems simpler, the drum usually outlasts the toner cartridge, and thus needs to be replaced much less often. Because the two are separate, the price of the cartridges is lower, and the drum doesn’t need to be replaced as often. The result is a significant savings in money for only a slight increase in maintenance.
Overall, the C8800n is an impressive large format laser printer in a compact size. The included ethernet and fast printing speeds add more value to an already great printer. Lower cartridge costs will save money in the long run.
