The Lexmark Z53 Inkjet Printer - Can this Hyundai of Printers put out a Mercedes?
Written: Nov 27 '01 (Updated Apr 19 '02)
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Pros: Crisp, clean, hi-res output. Fast. Simple to use and set up. Low Price!
Cons: Large foot print. Quality (non-output) issues.
The Bottom Line: Service issues aside, the Lexmark Z53 Inkjet Printer is a viable option in the ever-competitive world of inkjet printers.
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| jag2112's Full Review: Lexmark Color JetPrinter Z53 Inkjet |
In the auto world, Hyundai, the Korean auto maker, has gone from a manufacturer of ridiculed, ugly, low-priced, high-maintenance vehicles into an almost completely respectable auto manufacturer. How? Perseverance. They took their time, learned from their mistakes and always made an attempt to give the world a low-prices, high quality car that could compete with the market.
Lexmark is very much like Hyundai. Originally scorned, yet slowly making headway, they're now producing some of the finer printer/scanners in the PC marketplace available - all at a very reasonable price.
Case in Point: The Lexmark Z53 Inkjet Printer
Here's a printer that, while it's no looker, produces some outstanding black text and photo-quality items that HP printers costing twice as much struggle to produce. The Lexmark Z53 Inkjet Printer boasts impressive 2,400 x 1,200 dpi print resolution in both black and color, speedy print times...and all for a price that'll make you look twice - around $110.00
As with most Lexmark products, the Z53 is one of the simplest inkjet printers on the market to setup and install. The two paper trays are built into the unit, so upon insertion of the two ink cartridges (black and one tri-color unit), and a speedy driver installation, you'll be up and printing.
As for the tri-color cartridge, it is a somewhat frowned upon practice, especially for high-volume users who prefer individual color reservoirs. But I certainly understand why Lexmark would use such a cost-cutting measure in a printer with such a low price as the Z53. Since most users of the Z53 will be in the home or small businesses where simplicity is key, replacing one tank when a color runs out makes sense.
But the real, surprising gem is in the output quality of this printer. Text, even in ink-saving draft mode came out lightning fast and razor sharp over and over again. I had to check my settings twice to make sure I was printing at the low setting - I was that taken by the results.
As for photo reproductions, I dare say that this Lexmark out bests my HP932C regardless of resolution. The colors seemed more vibrant (glossy paper used) and the details were outstanding. It may not be the fastest photo reproducer out there, and it lags behind the HP at best, but with results like this at a price like this, I'm willing to bet that most will be happy waiting a few extra seconds/minutes.
Ah, but alas, every cloud, while it may have a silver lining, also has a storm cloud brewing underneath. Quality and affordability aside, there is one black cloud that seems to rear its ugly head time and time again with Lexmark products and, in fact, with the Z53 in particular. Quality.
First, the printer does have somewhat of a cheap look and feel to it, but that aside, higher than normal service problems have been reported with various Lexmark designs. You certainly get a great output, but for high-volume and/or time-sensitive documents, you're better off selecting a different competitor. Bottom line: Lexmark needs to improve the quality of their products a notch or two. They've got the price right, they've certainly got the output and features right. Now they have to get the maintenance right for the triple crown. If they do, they're sure to give HP and Epson a real run for their money.
So if you're doing some low-end with high-quality printer shopping, consider the Lexmark Z53 Inkjet Printer. You'll be happy with the results and, with fingers dully crossed, you might get away with few/little/none service issues.
As always, thanks for reading. Complete Printer Specs follow below.
Printer Specifications
* Printer type: Color thermal ink-jet printer
* Technology: Thermal ink jet
* Color technology: Optional six-color photo printing; 7-picoliter color droplet size; four-color inkjet: cyan, magenta, yellow, black (with black cartridge installed)
* Print resolution, black: Up to 2,400 x 1,200 dpi
* Print resolution, color: Up to 2,400 x 1,200 dpi
* Print speed (letter, black): Up to 16 ppm
* Print speed (letter, color): Up to 8 ppm
* Operating systems supported: Windows 95, 98 (second edition), 2000, Me, NT 4.0, Mac OS X, 8.6 or 9.x with USB interface
* Paper handling: Accu-Feed
* Media types: Plain and coated paper, card stock, envelopes, transparencies, labels, photo paper, banner, Hagaki card
* Media sizes: A4, A5, B5, executive, letter, legal, plus 7 3/4, No. 9, No. 10, C5, and DL envelopes
* Input capacity, standard (max.): 100 pages 20-pound bond, 10 envelopes
* Interface: USB (Lexmark recommends a V1.0 compliant cable), Bidirectional parallel (Lexmark recommends an IEEE-1284 compliant parallel cable)
* In the box: Lexmark Z53 printer, power supply (low volt), owner's kit, worldwide setup sheet, worldwide driver CD for Windows/Mac, print cartridge (color), print cartridge (black), user's guide (English)
* Width, exit tray extended: 20.5 inches
* Depth: 17.5 inches
* Height, exit tray extended: 11.3 inches
* Weight: 6.7 pounds
* Warranty: One year of LexExpress service
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 110
Operating System: Windows
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