The new Lexmark X75 is clearly designed with the budget consumer in mind. For just S$330 (US$187), this All-In-One (AIO) packs in a 2,400 x 1,200dpi inkjet printer, a 600dpi scanner and a color copier.
While it does not offer a built-in modem, it comes bundled with a software application that allows the user to perform limited fax functions via the PC's modem. However, this AIO is not without its share of shortcomings, among which are average-quality photo prints, relatively slow print speeds, and inaccurate paper feeding.
Extremely User-Friendly
Like most inkjet printers these days, the X75 comes with good set of documentation and intuitive installation software. So setting it up is really easy. For those handling a printer for the first time, this Lexmark also includes a small setup poster for clear step-by-step instructions.
Using the multifunction printer is a no-brainer, thanks to its straightforward yet intuitive All-In-One Center utility software. Lexmark has done a great job in simplifying printer operations by separating each main function (namely, scanning and copying) into distinct separate folders where the primary settings are displayed and advanced options just a click away. The company has also added a useful section under Creative Tasks to provide guided steps in completing specific print, share or fax tasks.
Our only gripe is the X75 cannot be operated as a standalone device, unlike other AIOs such as HP's PSC 2110 and Canon's Imageclass MPC-200. Whether it is to copy or scan, the X75 has to be connected via USB to a PC before it can be used. It does, however, come with some onboard controls, so there's no need to switch between the PC and printer for simple scanning and copying jobs.
Design Issues
One of the main problems we encountered while using the X75 comes from its paper feeding tray. Somehow, the tray isn't properly aligned to where the media is fed in for printing, resulting in paper misalignments on several occasions. This was particularly frustrating when we were printing photos on specially coated media.
Overall, Lexmark has improved on the design of the X series--the X73 and X83-by imbuing the X75 with a less bulky form. Trays are either retractable or foldable, saving valuable desktop space when the machine is not in use. The package also comes with an interesting power adapter that plugs the power converter brick directly into the printer. That said, we weren't impressed with the build quality of the Lexmark AIO. Its dull gray casing and flimsy trays give the device a somewhat plasticky feel.
Mediocre Photo Prints
Where image quality was concerned, the X75 performed admirably, printing sharp text documents that were readable in font sizes as small as 3pt. High-resolution color pictures printed on plain paper also delivered surprisingly decent results. However, photos produced on specially coated media tended to be less sharp and vibrant compared with other AIO inkjets we tested earlier. We also noticed that the X75 has a limited printable area, especially at the bottom of the paper.
In terms of speed, the X75 clocked a respectable 150 seconds for our 10-page document test print, while an A4 color print took us about 2 minutes. We would not recommend using this device to print photos as it took almost 10 minutes to make an 8R printout.
On the other hand, scan operations were quite speedy. One A4 document took roughly 20 seconds to scan, while color photos at the same 300dpi resolution required twice the time. The printer comes bundled with an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software that lets users convert text scans into documents.
Lexmark's latest AIO should score well as an entry-level multifunction device with its user-friendly interface and low price. However, those aiming to do a lot of print work may find the pricier Canon ImageClass MPC-200, which comes with borderless printing and memory card slots, a better investment.
Company: Lexmark
Price: AU$299
Distributor: Selected Resellers
Phone: 1300 362 192
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