Sharp MX-5051

The Sharp MX-5051 is the 50 ppm A3 color MFP that sits one generation back from the current MX-5071 — similar engine, prior controller and panel. Common today as a refurbished or short-lease return for small offices doing 10,000 to 22,000 pages a month. It runs 50 ppm color and B&W, supports 11 x 17, has duplex print and scan, and uses Sharp's older touchscreen with limited current-gen cloud apps on the panel. Connectivity is Gigabit Ethernet, USB, optional Wi-Fi. The thing buyers regret: the MX-5051 is close enough to the current MX-5071 in spec sheet that some buyers pay near-new prices for the older box. The five-year cost picture only makes sense if the refurb price is meaningfully below a new MX-5071 — say, 35 to 50 percent less. Otherwise the new model wins on parts runway, panel, and service. Use the MX-5051 when refurb pricing is sharp and your dealer commits to toner availability for 5 years.