The majority of people out there seek out affordability when buying most things. These are people who will give up a feature or two for affordability. These tendencies translate very easily to the business world to such an extent that most businesses are willing to ignore deficiencies in favour of savings. The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z is not for such businesses.
The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z is for businesses that view worth differently. It is for those businesses that will push the envelope for quality even if it means spending that much more extra. If you’re such a person and a business owner, then this review is for you.
The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z is a colour A4 laser multifunction printer. This means that this is a device that will allow you to print, scan, copy, and fax from the same location. This is important too because a single device for multiple functions turns out to be more economical than separate devices for the same functions. Since you will be paying considerably for this device, you will do well to remember that you’re saving elsewhere.
What is more important is that the DocuPrint CM315 Z is a good device when it comes to its core functionalities. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hasn’t cut corners in any way with this machine. It prints well, it scans well, it copies well, and it faxes well. Here’s our review.
Strengths of Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z
Why does one buy a printer or multifunction printer? It is for printing. Unfortunately, there are countless devices out there that offer acceptable print quality as opposed to excellent output quality. The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z isn’t one of them. The output quality of this device is nothing short of stellar and we’re including colour printing in that.
You wouldn’t be surprised with a laser printer that excels in printing text but you would pause for a laser printer that delivers high-quality colour prints. With a resolution of 1200 x 2400 dots per inch (dpi), the DocuPrint CM315 Z delivers colour graphics and photos at a higher quality level than most of its competitors. Still, you should remember that this isn’t a photo inkjet printer. It would be quite unfair to compare it to a specialist.
Another area where the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z excels is in the connectivity options it provides its owners. Fuji Xerox has provided wireless connectivity along with the usual USB 2.0 and Ethernet ports, which are usually seen in this market segment. Not only is wireless connectivity an option but Wi-Fi Direct is also a feature of this device. Needless to say, connecting to this device wirelessly will give you access to compatibility to all major third-party platforms such as Mopria, Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, Google Cloud Print, and Air Print. NFC connectivity is also available.
The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z also features a single-pass Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). This means that you can automatically duplex print and scanning both. While the former will reduce paper costs, the latter should take away the need to manually flip a document.
The scanner, in fact, of the CM315 Z is very accomplished. It not only scans at 600 x 600 dpi but also offers functionalities such as scanning to email, FTP, and USB along with PC. The scanner moves along at a decent clip of 33 images per minute (ipm) for monochrome documents and 14 ipm for colour documents.
Weaknesses of Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z
We’ve already mentioned this device’s biggest flaw multiple times in this post. Yes, you guessed it – the cost. The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z is an expensive device not only to acquire but also to run.
It is formally listed at $1,195, which is significant for any small sized business. Shopping around, however, should reduce this potential financial burden by $100 but it still remains an expensive device.
The DocuPrint CM315 Z doesn’t let up in terms of running costs either.
While the differences aren’t significant, they do exist between the use of genuine and generic cartridges. Using genuine or OEM cartridges will see you pay around 19.78 cents per page which is higher than most other devices competing in the same market segment. Using generic or compatible cartridges reduces this per-page cost to about 16.70 cents.
It could be said that the paper capacity of this device isn’t up to par. As it is, you’ll get a Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z with a paper capacity of 300 sheets split between a 250-sheet paper tray and a 50-sheet bypass. It is possible to increase this capacity to as high as 850 sheets with the addition of the optional 550-sheet second paper tray. A total of 850 sheets is not bad but it isn’t great either. Perhaps, the OEM missed a beat here?
Key Features of Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z
One thing we’ve not spoken about till now is the print speed. The print speed of the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z doesn’t stand out, whether as a negative point or a positive point. It is rated to print at a speed of about 28 pages per minute (ppm) for both monochrome and colour documents.
The CM315 Z has a boxy feel to it. It measures 420mm wide, 503mm deep, and 500mm high. This means that you better find a niche for it in your office. Putting it on a table is not an option. If you’re not convinced, let me tell you that this machine weighs 30.2 Kg. Putting it on a table is definitely not an option.
The question, however, is where all that weight is coming from especially if you consider that competing devices are up to 10 Kg lighter. It is, of course, the construction material. Running a hand over the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z will immediately reveal to you its sturdiness and durability. This device is built to last. Its housing is commercial grade and it even has a metal chassis.
Behind the housing, the print engine is supported by an ARM Core 733 MHz processor along with a 1GB RAM. This technology allows the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z to be fairly responsive. It is responsive enough to deliver a colour document in 9.2 seconds and a monochrome document in 8.2 seconds from the time the print command is given.
Like all business multifunction printers, the DocuPrint CM315 Z also has a touchscreen display. It measures 109.22mm and behaves very similar to mobile devices of today. Icons are bright and can be dragged around the screen i.e. the interface is customisable. It is also possible to devise your own custom app to simplify complex and repetitive processes.
It is also worth mentioning that a cabinet is an add-on option as well. The warranty on the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM315 Z is for 12 months and allows for a quick exchange.