Sharp AR-M256 Toner Cartridges

Sharp AR-M256 Printer Review

With fairly slow speeds of only 25 copies per minute, the Sharp AR-M256 multifunction laser copier might be a better fit for smaller workloads, but it still has some solid features to offer. With printing included as a standard feature and network scanning and faxing available as options, buyers have a lot of choice, and the low price and high capacity of Sharp AR-M256 printer toner supplies makes it very cost-effective.

The control panel includes an 8.1-inch touchscreen LCD screen for easy control, as well as a useful array of buttons, including a number keypad and speed dial settings. The included print feature uses the parallel and USB connection for connecting to a single computer, which is limiting. An optional network printing upgrade provides an ethernet port for connecting and sharing across a network, however.

The input paper capacity starts out at 1,100 sheets, with two 500-sheet main trays and a useful 100-sheet bypass tray. Upgrading with two more 500-sheet trays will net a total input of 2,100 sheets, allowing the unit to handle larger volumes without the need for constant replenishing. An optional reversing automatic document feeder can be added, which holds up to 100 sheets for quicker scanning and copying.

The cost of toners is surprisingly low for such a large device. Each Sharp AR-M256 toner cartridge can last for around 25,000 pages. This means the cost per page for Sharp AR-M256 toner cartridges is one of the lowest in its class. Using compatible Sharp AR-M256 toner can save buyers even more.

While it isn't the fastest model in its class, and its print quality lags behind the competition, the Sharp AR-M256 is worth considering for its low running costs alone. With so many upgrade options available, it can be tailored to the needs of an office environment, and an intuitive control panel makes it quite easy to use.