I got a new Printer. DOH!
Written: Nov 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Dependable and efficient ink use
Cons: Replacing ink cartridges requires software, not worth $400+
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| Guildencrantz's Full Review: Lexmark Optra Color 40 InkJet Printer |
In March 2000 I managed to get out sf my debilitating agreement as a Microserf. I formatted my hard drive and switched over to a real operating system: BeOS. Well I, unfortunately in some ways, was the proud owner of an HP 722C. While this is a great Windows printer it is not supported in BeSO, and my Linux experiences with it had been less than wonderful.
I had a few criteria now, as I looked for a new printer: I needed color, preferably an inkjet, and postscript. Well I found the Lexmark Optra Color 40 and was instantly mesmerized.
I don't remember how I found it, but it was definitely luck. This is a postscript (level 2) inkjet printer, just what I was looking for. Best of all it was in my price range as well (I picked it up in an overstock sale at Buy.com for $90).
Stuposidly this printer will do 8ppm black. I'd halve that number unless you are printing in 24 point type. Even so the image is crisp. The color printing again needs to be halved, to about 2ppm. But, again, the color is good. There is no way I'd call it photo quality, but it's fine for the graphs and such that I need to include in my papers.
Since I got the basic model I can't tell you much about the networkability of this printer. I have no reason to upgrade and get the ethernet card. Also I have the basic 8mb RAM that came with the printer, and it's been fine for my basic college level use.
One major complaint that I have is the ink cartridge system. While the cartridges them selves are fine (be careful the waterproof ink is high-lighter solvable) and they last very well, even through summer storage, but changing the cartridges requires software. Yup, this printer uses software to bring the cartridge tray down so you can replace the old one. This sucks for me. I imagine that they have this software for Unix, Mac, and Windows systems, but Lexmark does not support BeOS (although I can print black and white through the PCL protocol, or color with postscript by pretending to be an Epson Stylus Color.)
All in all this is a mid range printer. It's not spectacular and the ink cartridge software deal is annoying, but it uses ink efficiently and hasn't broken. For $90 I think this printer rocks, but there is no way I would spend $400+ on it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Guildencrantz
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Boulder, CO
Reviews written: 405
Trusted by: 160 members
About Me:
My coffee cup has Smurf escape instructions in it.
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