First Look: PagePro 9100 Large-Format Network Printer

Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

MINOLTA-QMS, Inc. introduced the PagePro 9100 N, a 35 ppm network laser printer. According to the company, its PagePro 9100 N delivers fast, high-resolution printing and extraordinary paper input capacity in a smaller-than-expected size and price. A price of $1,499 (estimated street) includes a 10/100BaseTX Ethernet interface and support for pages up to 11″ x 17.”

Built around a Minolta print engine, the PagePro 9100 N has a maximum monthly duty cycle of 150,000 prints, paper input capacity of up to 2,200 sheets, a 250 MHz RISC processor, and 11″ x 17″/A3 printing capability. Minolta says that its PagePro 9100 N is configurable to meet demanding print requirements.

The printer may be outfitted with up to three additional paper input cassettes (one 500-sheet cassette is included with the printer) for higher-volume print jobs or a digital copier/scanner that lets users make copies on the printer. An automatic duplexer for two-sided printing can reduce paper costs, and a 4-bin mailbox option sorts print jobs by individual or multiple users. A single-component toner cartridge should last for approximately 15,000 prints is also available for the PagePro 9100 N. Paper jam recovery should automatically reprint jammed pages without losing other documents waiting to print is standard on the PagePro 9100 N.

The PagePro 9100 N features a Crown III technology controller. According to Minolta, Crown III technology powers the high-performance document production that results from the simultaneous multiprotocol connectivity and multitasking built into the PagePro 9100 N. The CrownNet for Ethernet interface, a standard feature of the PagePro 9100 N, should accept multiple jobs simultaneously from users across the network. The standard IEEE 1284 parallel and USB interfaces of the PagePro 9100 N remain active, even when the network interface is receiving documents.

Its printer-based, full-document spooling should help reduce network traffic congestion and is designed to ensure that all jobs from all interfaces print in their proper order. Compile-ahead processing enables the PagePro 9100 N to continue accepting and preparing documents for printing even while printing pages of a different document. Electronic collation, another feature of the PagePro 9100 N, should let anyone easily produce multiple sets of multipage documents directly from the application without adding to network traffic.

The PagePro 9100 N supports Windows, MacOS (including OS X), Novell NetWare IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, EtherTalk, NetBIOS/NetBEUI, UNIX, Linux, and even MS-DOS applications, so the PagePro 9100 N should be able to operate in almost any computing or network environment. PostScript 3, PCL 6, HP-GL, PDF, and line printer emulations, all included with the printer, enable support for a wide range of business applications.

The PagePro 9100 N supports a wide variety of print media sizes in weights up to 90 lb. Index (163 g/m2). Its 500-sheet input paper cassettes adjust from postcard-size up to 11″ x 17″ without any intermediate stops. This should enable support for unique cuts of paper stock that many businesses use daily.

Customers may also use the 200-sheet multipurpose tray for printing envelopes, transparencies, cut-sheet labels, and thick stock. Conveniently located on the front of the PagePro 9100 N, the multipurpose tray can be closed even when loaded with letter-size paper to reduce clutter and protect the paper stock. The tray-chaining feature of the printer allows the customer to use all input cassettes and the multipurpose tray as one, large input tray. To save time during long print runs, customers can also refill empty cassettes in the PagePro 9100 N while it prints from another cassette.

PageScope Management software, included with the PagePro 9100 N, provides the network manager with a Web-based application for managing the printer — as well as other printers and copiers — from their desktop. PageScope Management is a client-server application that searches for all TCP/IP printing devices on the network. With its graphical interface, the network administrator may select and change default settings on the printer, configure IP addresses of new network printers with a single click, monitor usage patterns for different printers, and more.

For the network user, the PagePro 9100 N offers its built-in CrownView Web page. Anyone connected to the same network as the PagePro 9100 N can use his or her Web browser to view the current status of the printer, including recent printed jobs and levels of consumables.

Availability
The PagePro 9100 N is available immediately through MINOLTA-QMS’ worldwide network of authorized distributors, resellers, and e-commerce partners. To locate the reseller nearest you, call 800-523-2696 or visit the MINOLTA-QMS Web site at www.minolta-qms.com.

Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales.

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