Nice quality at a good price
Written: Sep 15 '00 (Updated Sep 15 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good quality print
Cons: Seems to guzzle ink
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| SHeineman's Full Review: Lexmark Jet 3200 InkJet Printer |
On a Sunday afternoon, two years ago, I breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the button to print the paper, due the next day, that I had just finished. Panic set in...my printer had died! I'd had problems with it before, and time was limited, so I braved the Sunday Christmas shoppers at Best Buy to buy a new one. I didn't have time to read and figure out what was best for me, so when my eyes fell on the Lexmark 3200, on sale, I thought for a few minutes. "Hey, it's made in the same town as where I live. Must be a good printer then!"
I regretted my decision at first. I couldn't get it to work on my computer (a Compaq laptop), but a quick phone call to Lexmark's technical support got the problem all straightened out. My paper was printed and turned in on time. Whew!
Installation and Software
Installation should have been easy. It comes with a CD. Just pop it in and follow the directions on the screen. I did have some problems with installation, but it was a problem in my own computer. I don't remember what it was, but the technical support worked figured it out quickly and easily.
It also comes with 2 programs...American Greetings Create a Card and another graphics programs. They are simple to install and to use. Both design greeting cards and similar projects such as labels, calendars, and business cards. Their graphics are fun and print nicely on the Lexmark printer.
Print Quality
The print quality of the Lexmark is excellent, especially when you consider that the price was under $200. It prints at 1200 by 1200dpi. It's much better than the print quality of my old Canon, and I feel like it's better than the quality of my Mom's Hewlett Packard, even though I haven't compared the 2 side by side. It gives crisp, clear printing when using only black and white text and regular Inkjet paper (the cheap kinds!). I can't see *that* much difference in the quality of print between the Lexmark and a Laser printer I used to use at school.
Printed colors are bright and clear. Photographs also print well. I have never tried using the glossy photograph paper, which make make the print quality even greater.
Print Speed
It is listed at printing 6 pages per minute (black and white) and 2.5 pages per minute (color). I find the speed to be adequate for my own uses. Now, I mainly print e-mails and things I find online. This does that quickly. Even when I was in school, I could print out large papers in a relatively short time. It seems to be slower than the listed 2.5 pages per minute color, but I've never really timed it.
I am pleased with the print speed for my home use, but if I were printing large quantities of material or if I were using it for a business, I would probably want something that moved a little faster.
Some negatives (and aren't there always some?)
It holds up to 100 sheets of paper. Unfortunately, I find that if I put that many sheets in, the paper sometimes jams. Jams are easy to clear, but I prefer to put in fewer sheets of paper.
I haven't had any problems with the black ink cartridges. They last a reasonably long time. I usually print with black, and I've only had to replace it a couple of times. But, it seems to guzzle the color cartridges! I've replaced it a few times, and I don't print in color all that often. The cartridges are expensive to replace (about $30 black and $35 color), so if you are doing a lot of color printing, you may want to look at something a bit more easy on the ink.
Overall, I have been very pleased with the Lexmark 3200 printer. I have had no problems with it since I got it installed. I am very pleased with the speed and print quality. For the price I paid, this printer is excellent. I'd recommend it to anyone who needed nice quality printing at a low price.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
SHeineman
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Member: Stacy
Location: Kentucky
Reviews written: 208
Trusted by: 164 members
About Me:
26.2
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