Xerox recently introduced its new line of ColorQube color printers. The ColorQubes use Xerox's solid ink technology instead of laser or LED. The ColorQube 8570 is the replacement printer for the Phaser 8560, and the ColorQube 8870 is the replacement printer for the Phaser 8560.

The major difference between the two machines is the pricing. The ColorQube 8570 starts at $899 but the cost of the solid ink sticks is higher. The ColorQube 8870 starts at $2499 but the cost of the ink itself is much cheaper. Broken down, the 8570 prints color at 10.22 cents per color print, and black prints at 1.74 per black and white print. The 8870 prints either color or black and white at an astounding 1.55 cents per print.

The ColorQube 8570 comes in 3 configurations. The ColorQube 8570N is the basic network model that starts out with a standard 625 paper capacity (expandable to 2,200 sheets) and allows printing single sided only. The 8570DN configuration is similar to the N configuration but allows the ability to print on both sides of a sheet of paper. The 8570DT adds an additional 525 sheet paper tray to the DN configuration to expand your starting paper capacity to 1150 sheets. All the configurations share the ability to print up to 40 pages per minute and feature a maximum paper size of 8 ½ x 14 inches.

The ColorQube 8870 has only one duplex/network (DN) configuration. Very similar to the 8570DN except that the machine has different electronics, and printhead to handle the lower cost ink. Otherwise, the speed and paper capacity are all the same as the 8570DN.

Both machines are touted as “green”.  Due to the nature of the solid ink cubes, the machine is supposed to generate 90% less waste than similar laser printers, and have a 30% less carbon footprint over its lifespan compared to laser printers.