Comments on: Can Lexmark change the way we buy printers?

By: Taonside

Taonside — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:08:37 +0000

@Dave Edwards and Bluespider:
According to Lexmark’s webpage for these new products, the cost for black printing is less than $0.01 per page. The XL black tank costs $4.99 and yield is 510 pages. If it’s true, that’s as cheap or cheaper than toner.

http://www.lexmark.com/lexmark/product/home/704/0,6970,204816596_653293766_1363249856_en,00.html?tabId=1
Footnote (3).

By: Bruce A

Bruce A — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:40:27 +0000

Andy Fraser possibly had the same problems I had.

I Tried to Install a Lexmark as a backup printer to a HP. Instead it took over the Default position without asking on install (maybe forgivable) and would not be dislodged via control panel, printers or anywhere else (Not forgivable). Turned out this was it being ‘helpful’ because it also took over print spooling tasks and if it was hacked to NOT be the default printer nothing was then going to print properly. “”Uninstalling”" the Lexmark software left me with an error message about spooling and a registry full of lexmark.

An evening of recreational registry editing and all was restored to normal – except there is a great big LEXMARK NEVER AGAIN sign in my head now. Before declaring them reformed characters I would appreciate you digging a bit deeper (and on someone elses PC !!!)

By: Twitter Trackbacks for Can Lexmark change the way we buy printers? | PC Pro blog [pcpro.co.uk] on Topsy.com

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:39:19 +0000

[...] Can Lexmark change the way we buy printers? | PC Pro blog http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/08/26/can-lexmark-change-the-way-we-buy-printers – view page – cached Lexmark’s inkjet printers have had a pretty rough ride from PC Pro in recent reviews and Greg Caster, senior development manager for inkjet R&D, admitted to — From the page [...]

By: Catch Weight

Catch Weight — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:51:18 +0000

When I first gave a glance to a Lexmark printer, I was in awe on how simple and intuitive their user interface are. And, up to this time, Lexmark has been designing their operation panel as user-friendly and intuitive as possible. If they can reduce the function of a feature by just one button press (which Lexmark Touchscreens refer to this in Smart Solutions), they will definitely do it.

By: Bluespider

Bluespider — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:38:50 +0000

@andy fraser

there is, use windows to install a new printer, when prompted to specify the driver, point it to the folder on the cd that came with the printer that has the driver.
Don’t install all the other bloat pap and all you have is a nice, working printer.

By: Andy Fraser

Andy Fraser — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:28:23 +0000

I have had problems in the past where I was unable to successfully install an HP printer after having installed a Lexmark in the past. Perhaps it was deliberate?

There seems to be a massive amount of bloatware with all printer installations. It would be useful to have a simple ‘Bare Minimum’ install option.

By: Bluespider

Bluespider — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:01:43 +0000

@Dave edwards

… Never, they use the gillette pricing model. Give the razor away for next to nothing to get the product into the market and then charge a lot more for the replacement parts.

Trick is to make the underlying product so good that you don’t want to swap it for the next ‘free razor’ to hit the shelves.

By: Dave Edwards

Dave Edwards — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:29:50 +0000

All fine and dandy – but when are we going to see sensible prices for replacement carts.from the major manufacturers?

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:43:22 +0000

HP and their new OfficeJet AiO range have been doing this since at least April 2009. I have one in my home, which has the capability of double-sided scanning, through its ADF, and the system is intuitive that it can either scan to a network folder on the home server, with each folder protected with a PIN for security. All users can be set up with a PIN, which makes the system more secure. The OfficeJet also can scan to e-mail, and host digital faxing, whilst being wireless at the same time. The printer’s touchscreen interface will also email me when the ink is getting low, or there is another issue, for example low paper, or even a paperjam.
Lexmark is moving up the ‘food chain’, joining HP in the ranks. However, as said above, the Lexmarks are starting to come in XL sizes. HP have been also doing this for some time, and also are moving to make a certain range of printers, for example the OfficeJet 8500 series, and the 5400 series run off the same ink system – 940. This proves very useful in the office environment, as some suppliers can give you a better deal with bulk orders, and this is the way forward.
I believe that SMB printers are moving their way into the SOHO and Home environments because of the low running costs, and the easy maintainence.