Sharp AR-M550 Toner Cartridges

Sharp AR-M550 Printer Review

With a low purchase price and a solid feature set, the Sharp AR-M550 multifunction laser copier is more impressive for its overall value that its specific features. It can still output up to 55 pages per minute, however, with scanning and faxing features available and upgrade options and Sharp AR-M550 printer toner supplies are very affordable to replace.

Two models are available, so that buyers can choose the feature set that fits their needs. The AR-M550U is the more basic model, geared toward standalone copying. The AR-M550N adds ethernet networking, so that it can act as a shared printer for multiple users. Network scanning is optional, via upgrade, as is faxing.

For such an affordable machine, the standard paper capacity is particularly impressive, at 3,100 sheets. Upgrading to a maximum of 6,600 sheets is a possibility, though the standard input capacity will likely suffice for even fairly large offices.

For scanning and copying, the 150-sheet automatic document feeder is one of the unit's most appealing features, and it can handle duplex (two-sided) documents in a single pass for extra speed. Scanned files can be sorted and managed through the included Sharpdesk software, and the use of digital documents can help save on paper and toners.

Sharp AR-M550 toner is easy to replace and a bit more affordable than most models in its class. An estimated yield of 83,000 pages for each Sharp AR-M550 toner cartridge gives it a cost per page of a fraction of a cent.

The AR-M550 won't offer quite as much speed as some of its competition, and its control panel may be a bit more simplified. However, it is a solid value for the price, and the low cost of Sharp AR-M550 toner cartridges will likely help trim the operating expenses of a busy office over time.