Sharp MX-5070N

The Sharp MX-5070N is a 50 ppm A3 color MFP that sits between the older MX-5050 family and the current MX-5071 — second-most-recent generation. Common today as refurbished hardware for offices doing 10,000 to 24,000 mixed pages a month. It runs 50 ppm color and B&W, supports 11 x 17, has duplex print and scan, and uses the early Android-based panel — closer to the current experience than the OSA-era MX-5050N. Connectivity covers Gigabit Ethernet, USB, optional Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and Mopria. The thing buyers regret: the MX-5070N is the in-between generation, so pricing is awkward — too new to be cheap, too old to win against the current MX-5071 on a 5-year cost basis. Buy it only when the refurb spread between MX-5070N and a new MX-5071 is at least 30 percent. If that gap is there, this is a strong machine with a usable modern panel and decent parts availability.