Aug 13, 2003 08:18 PM
7890 Views
(Updated Aug 17, 2003 07:13 AM)
After using the various Cannon inkjet printer for years, along with a flat bed scanner, I was in the market for a color printer that also functions as a copier and scanner. That's how I came across Lexmark X73.
It came with a manual and two discs, a connecting USB cable, two cartridges (b/w and color) and an optional 3 year warranty which I purchased for an additional $30.00.
Installing was a breeze. The first disc will enable you to install the printer/scanner/copier in a few easy steps, and the second disc is to access the online user's guide.
Aligning the cartridges electronically is an absolute must to get sharp images with right color. This may take a few minutes. But once you do that, prints will be as good as the original, especially if glossy photo paper is used.
Copying text and images from the computer is achieved with one click.
While copying, you have the option to press color or black and white. There are separate built in buttons for scan, scan to email and fax.
The online user's guide is designed to create various projects including:
Scan photos and email to a friend
Create a scrapbook page
Print multicolored business cards, letterhead and envelopes
Print refrigerator magnets
Print canning labels
Print Greeting cards
Enlarge or reduce images while printing, and much more.
Lexmark X73 is also a 'talking printer'. It will announce 'printing started' 'printing completed' 'check the paper' etc. in various European languages. You can program the choice language while setting up the printer.
The printing time is fairly quick. I have tried several b/w and color images with excellent results. Sought the online help just once during the installation, to change the printer to talk English. It was speaking Swedish and my Swedish dictionary disappeared years ago.
When buying Lexmark X73, please make sure that your pc has USB ports, preferably more than one, in case you want to install an electronic mouse (like logitech) or a digital spy camera. Also, while installing it, ensure to follow the instruction manual step by step to avoid problems. This will take 20 minutes max.
The cartridges are expensive, and for a combination of color and b/w printing, it is essential to have both cartridges in place. For a set of Lexmark cartridges, it cost just over $80.00. So far I printed about 50 color images, 6x10'' size, using about 55% of the ink. (You can monitor the progress on screen).
Conclusion: The performance so far (about 4 weeks) is excellent, and with the additional warranty for three years, (with an option of getting a new printer if repaired for the same trouble more than twice), no worries till July 2006.
