CRN rounds up 15 printers targeting the midmarket that are becoming more popular as the workforce shifts to a hybrid/remote work model.

After being gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, some workers began returning to offices this year full-time while others slowly returned with a hybrid work setup. Midmarket companies had to make sure offices were equipped with flexible printing offerings that matched the new work landscape. Vendors offering printers targeting the midmarket included HP Inc., Brother, Lexmark, Xerox, Canon and Epson. As companies figure out the best strategy for printing going forward, they also are calling on vendors like Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Sharp and Toshiba to round out office offerings.

Many vendors have dealt with component shortages causing backlogs throughout the pandemic. Home printers were stretched to the limit and the paradigm shifted again as office workers began returning at least on a hybrid basis. This shift created a demand for a diverse set of offerings that could complement the changing work landscape.

For CRN’s Printer Week 2022, we took a look at 15 printers that are putting the midmarket first.

HP’s LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdne printer with HP+ offers businesses functionality including print, scan, copy, fax and two-sided printing. The machine allows companies to support their team’s workload with fast speeds up to 42 pages per minute, auto two-sided printing and scanning, and an auto document feeder. Users can use the HP Smart app to print and scan remotely. The Pro 4101fdne features HP Wolf Pro security that is easily set up via the printer’s dashboard and allows automated 24x7 monitoring to ensure printers and information are secure. Instant Ink for lasers allows customers to enroll in HP’s subscription toner and ink delivery and recycling.

Lexmark’s Color All-in-One 3-series MC3326i combines affordability with multifunction, promising a boost in productivity with lower operating costs. This compact, lightweight unit allows for color printing, automatic scanning, copying, cloud faxing and touch-screen convenience for small workgroups. Output zips along at 26 pages per minute. Wi-Fi, one-piece print cartridges, Gigabit Ethernet and Lexmark full-spectrum security all come standard. A 2.8-inch touch screen offers built-in workflow capabilities.

The Xerox VersaLink C400DN is a color laser printer for the midmarket that can handle higher paper capacities and features some of the same premium features found on more expensive enterprise machines. The substantial desktop unit leaves enough room for 550 sheets of A4 paper and a zippy print rate of 35 pages per minute. Aimed at workgroups of two to 10 people, the printer can handle up to 85,000 printouts per month and showcases the company’s 5-inch, customizable touch screen.

Shane Snider is a senior associate editor covering personal computing, mobile devices, semiconductor news, hardware reviews, breaking news and live events. Shane is a veteran journalist, having worked for newspapers in upstate New York and North Carolina. He can be reached at ssnider@thechannelcompany.com.