OKI C801 — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

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OKI C801 — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

The OKI C801 (often sold under model designations like C801n / C801dn depending on region and options) is a compact A3-capable colour LED printer from OKI’s mid-market C800 series. It was designed to bring high-quality, fast colour printing and flexible media handling into small workgroups and departmental print rooms while keeping a modest footprint. In this article I’ll cover the printer’s core features and specifications, how it performs in real life, where it makes sense for business use, operational costs and deployment tips — so you can decide whether the C801 is the right fit for your environment.

Product positioning — who the C801 is for

OKI positioned the C801 as a “workgroup” colour device: faster and more capable than desk-printers but smaller and less costly than floor-standing production machines. It makes the most sense for small-to-medium offices, marketing teams and branch locations that need occasional A3 output (posters, spreadsheets, proof prints), reliable colour reproduction and a compact device that fits a departmental copy area. The C801 is a good example of OKI’s compact A3 colour LED strategy — providing A3 capability with the footprint of an A4 unit.

Key specifications — the numbers that matter

Below are the load-bearing specs buyers typically use to evaluate the model:

  • Print engine: OKI digital LED.

  • Print speeds: up to 22 pages per minute (ppm) in colour for A4, and up to 32 ppm mono in some modes (speeds vary by regional SKU and driver mode). 

  • Resolution: up to 2,400 × 600 dpi (driver-enhanced output for fine detail). 

  • Paper handling: Standard trays (300-sheet main + 100-sheet multipurpose tray typical) and expandable to several hundred/1,000+ sheets with optional cassettes — many resellers list total capacities up to ~1,460 sheets with options. Auto duplexing is included on the "dn" variants. 

  • Formats supported: A6 up to A3 and banner media in supported lengths (subject to the media guide). 

  • Processor & memory: Modest embedded controller hardware (PowerPC CPU in some SKUs) and field-upgradeable RAM in certain regions to better handle complex jobs.

  • Connectivity: USB and Gigabit Ethernet standard; host-based and PDL (PostScript/PCL) driver support varies by firmware/region. OKI provides drivers for modern Windows and macOS versions. 

Those core facts explain why the C801 is commonly chosen when space is limited but A3 or heavy colour is occasionally needed.

Design & ergonomics

Physically the C801 is compact for an A3-capable printer — its dimensions make it possible to place it on or beside a desk without a large cabinet. OKI kept service points easy to access: front covers and intuitive trays let administrators replace toners, clear jams and load specialty media without moving the device. The control surface is functional (LCD + hardware keys on many models) and supports walk-up job status and simple configuration. The machine’s industrial design is utilitarian but practical for busy office environments.

Print quality & media capability

Colour & detail

OKI’s LED engine and toner chemistry produce strong colour saturation and accurate spot colours relative to other LED/laser devices in this class. The high maximum effective resolution (up to 2,400 dpi driver interpolation) helps with fine line art, small fonts and charts — useful for internal brochures, presentations and technical diagrams. Reviewers and reseller spec sheets note that OKI devices in this family often punch above their class for colour vibrancy, although colour-critical proofing still belongs to specialist proofing devices. 

Media handling

The C801 supports a broad set of media weights and sizes (from light bond to heavier card stock and envelopes), and many users leverage the multipurpose tray for banner lengths and nonstandard stock. The device’s reliable feeding hardware and optional extra trays let a team load multiple stocks (e.g., A4 letterhead, A3 poster stock, and envelopes) and print without daily manual tray swaps — a real convenience for marketing or hospitality teams. 

Real-world performance & reliability

Throughput and responsiveness

In everyday office workflows the C801 feels business-class: short jobs arrive fast, and first-page-out times are competitive for the category (single-digit to low-double-digit seconds from ready state). For text-heavy jobs the mono throughput spikes to the higher quoted rates while colour and A3 jobs naturally take longer. Complex PDFs and large raster files benefit from adequate memory and a good host pipeline (network spooling recommended for heavy jobs). 

Reliability and maintenance

OKI’s LED engines are noted for robustness; the C801’s modular consumable layout and serviceable components make routine maintenance predictable. Like any mid-market device, uptime depends on a service plan for heavy use; many buyers put the C801 under an MPS (managed print services) contract for supplies and SLA-backed response. Online community discussion (and reseller notes) highlight that OKI machines deliver solid reliability when maintained with genuine consumables.

Software, security & integration

OKI supplies drivers and utilities to integrate the C801 into Windows and macOS environments; network drivers and host-based modes are available on the OKI support pages. For business deployments the printer supports basic device management via SNMP and vendor management tools; enterprise security is achieved by network segmentation, driver restrictions and, where needed, third-party print-management solutions. OKI’s resource pages include driver bundles and FAQs for compatibility with current OS versions. 

If you require advanced pull-printing, accounting or secure release, factor in third-party or OKI partner software that adds authentication and auditing for regulated workflows.

Where the C801 makes business sense

1. Small marketing teams / in-house design: Produce short-run posters, presentation kits and proofs without outsourcing. The C801’s colour strength and A3 capability reduce lead times and let creative teams iterate quickly.

2. Branch offices / satellite printing: For organizations that want A3 capability outside the main production floor, the C801 provides a compact option that avoids sending many jobs back to head office. 

3. Architectural/engineering reference prints: The ability to print A3 technical diagrams and schematics with legible small fonts makes the C801 useful for internal technical documentation and short run plan revisions — although large CAD prints still benefit from specialized plotters for scale accuracy. 

4. Reception and front-office tasks: The multipurpose tray and banner support let small businesses create on-demand signs and notices for point-of-sale or front-desk use. 

Cost of ownership & consumables

TCO for the C801 depends on monthly volumes, colour coverage and whether you use high-yield consumables. OKI devices traditionally use separate toners and maintenance kits; this approach gives predictable yields but can raise upfront consumable costs compared with entry desktop printers. For departments with steady colour volumes, high-yield cartridges and an MPS arrangement typically lower per-page cost and stabilize budgeting. Conversely, for very light users a cheaper A4 colour laser might be more cost-effective. Always model per-page cost using your expected A4/A3 mix and average percent colour coverage.

Deployment tips & best practices

  1. Right-size configuration: Choose extra trays and a finisher only if your workflows will use them regularly — finishers add cost and footprint.

  2. Network spooling: For complex, large files use network spooling and adequate RAM — this reduces job time and avoids halting other users.

  3. Genuine consumables: Use OKI-branded toners and maintenance kits to maximize uptime and preserve image quality.

  4. Service plan: If the printer is central to operations, take an on-site service contract to keep SLAs and spare parts covered. 

  5. Placement: Install the C801 in a well-ventilated, accessible area (easy front access for toner and jams) and near a network point for reliable connectivity. 

Strengths & weaknesses — a balanced summary

Strengths

  • True A3 capability in a compact footprint — useful when floor space is limited. 

  • Strong colour reproduction and fine detail for internal collateral and proofs. 

  • Flexible media handling and decent paper capacity with optional trays. 

Weaknesses

  • Consumable and maintenance costs can be higher than basic A4 desktop lasers; plan TCO accordingly.

  • For colour-critical prepress proofing or very high monthly colour volumes, a production device or proofer will still be necessary.

Final verdict

The OKI C801 is a pragmatic choice when you need A3 colour capability, good image quality and a relatively compact machine for a workgroup or branch office. It’s especially compelling for teams that want to bring short-run posters, technical diagrams and client handouts in-house while maintaining a small footprint and predictable performance. Before purchasing, align the exact SKU and options with your expected A3/A4 mix, model per-page costs for your average coverage, and plan for a service agreement if the device will be central to daily operations. When deployed with the right consumables and support, the C801 reliably fills the gap between desktop printers and larger production systems. 

Selected sources & further reading
OKI C801 specification and product literature; regional reseller product pages and reviews; OKI driver and support pages for the C801 family. For exact SKUs, firmware, consumable yields and up-to-date driver support please consult OKI’s local product pages or the datasheet for the model you plan to buy.

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