Sharp FO-6550 Printer Review
With an upgraded paper capacity and fast transmission speeds, the Sharp FO-6550 laser fax machine is impressive, especially for such a compact device. It includes a document feeder, uses affordable Sharp FO-6550 printer toner, and won't take up too much desk space.
The first major drawback of the FO-6550 is that its single-function design may not appeal to a lot of buyers used to multifunction machines. Although it can handle basic copying, its primary function is fast, efficient faxing. The lack of extra features does contribute to its simplicity, however, making it easier to use than devices with three or more functions.
The unit has a small footprint of only 27.2x23.4 inches, but it weighs a little over 60 pounds with the Sharp FO-6550 toner supplies installed. As a result, it may require a little help to move it around. The upgraded paper capacity adds a second tray compared to smaller models in its line, for a total of 1,150 sheets of input. This will allow it to handle heavier faxing volumes, and could make it better suited for larger offices that prefer to keep a dedicated fax machine on hand.
If the appeal of the FO-6550 isn't readily apparent, buyers may change their mind when they see the cost of replacement toners. Sharp FO-6550 toner cartridges are not only affordable, but come with high page yields. At around 5,500 pages per Sharp FO-6550 toner cartridge, even busy offices won't be replacing supplies on a regular basis.
As faxing is gradually replaced by email and other communication methods, models like the Sharp FO-6550 continue to decline in popularity. For simple faxing at high speeds, however, it is tough to beat, and it has some of the lowest costs per page in its category.
