Sharp MX-3116N Toner Cartridges

Sharp MX-3116N Printer Review

The Sharp MX-3116N is a very capable multifunction color laser printer for workgroups, though its speed of 31 pages per minute could be a little slow for some busy offices. Its purchase price is also a bit steep, but the savings on Sharp MX-3116N printer toner might ultimately make it a good value.

Sometimes referred to as the MX-3116, the unit includes printing, scanning, and copying functions in its basic configuration, with the option for adding faxing capabilities. It also starts with a fairly slim 600-sheet paper capacity, but is easily upgraded to a maximum of 3,100 sheets as dictated by an office's volume needs. Automatic duplexing is included for two-sided printing, which can help cut down on paper usage, and a Toner Save mode can help limit the amount of Sharp MX-3116N toner needed for each printed page.

The control panel of the machine features a large, full-color touchscreen panel with intuitive menus, and an internal 320 GB hard drive provides ample storage for scanned documents. Best of all, security features can keep these files safe from prying eyes, while sharing is easy to set up, giving the entire office access when desired.

Replacing the toners is not only easy, but relatively affordable. The system uses four separate Sharp MX-3116N toner cartridges, with each color providing an estimated 10,000 pages of output. The black Sharp MX-3116N toner cartridge can last for even more pages, at an estimated yield of 18,000.

The Sharp MX-3116N might best fit a small or medium workgroup with an eye toward future growth. It offers the expansion in paper handling that a growing office needs for the future, without sacrificing features in the present. It may not have the fastest speeds in its class, but its low operating costs make it worth serious consideration.