The Xerox DocuPrint P8e monochrome laser printer was released in the US in October 1998. In March 1999, Xerox released the WorkCentre 385, a five-in-one laser multifunctional product based on the same 8 page per minute (ppm) Samsung® engine used in the P8e. Lexmark® used the engine in its Optra® e310 business class laser printer also released in March 1999. The e310 featured both standard parallel and USB ports. In May 1999, Xerox released the P8ex, an upgraded model of the P8e that featured a USB port not present on the P8e.
All of these machines were marketed in direct competition with the popular HP1100 and targeted at small workgroups and home office users. These users have also been one of the fastest growing market segments looking for remanufactured product alternatives to the OEM.
These machines feature an all-in-one cartridge and the electrostatic development technology used is similar to Lexmark 4019/39/49 cartridges. The electrophotographic design does not require a waste bin. Residual toner is electrostatically removed from the OPC drum, eliminating the need for a wiper blade.