Lexmark launches collection of Web-connected inkjet printers
Lexmark Platinum Pro905
(Credit: Lexmark)Not to be outdone by HP's Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, Lexmark on Tuesday rolled out a new line of printers, three of which will will feature a touch screen to access the Web. Although both companies claim to have the rights to the "world's first Web-connected printer," Lexmark's new product line is aimed at the business market rather than the consumer.
The Lexmark Solution Center already has several existing applications that users can easily download onto the machine with a touch of a virtual button. Some additions including a photo viewer, application shortcuts, RSS headline aggregators, and Google Calendar. Lexmark tells us that more applications are on their way and will roll out as they're developed.
Lexmark Interact S605
(Credit: Lexmark)Although only three of the new releases will include the SmartSolutions Web connectivity, five of the eight will feature 802.11n wireless as well as a new eco-friendly mode that automatically changes the driver settings to two-sided printing to save on the cost of consumables.
The final addition is a convenient business card scan feature that automatically inputs contact info to commonly-used personal information management applications like Microsoft Outlook and Palm OSTM. I had the opportunity to see all of the new features in action and was impressed with its accuracy. Unfortunately, the Mac OS Address Book is not supported at this time.
The offering is also labeled with Lexmark's new, simplified nomenclature to make it easier for consumers to distinguish between products and features, which break down into two lines: the Professional Series (including the Platinum, Prestiage, Prevail, and Prospect) and the Home Office Series (Interact, Intuition, Interpret, and Impact). Prices start at $99 for the Impact and scale up to $399 for the Platinum, which includes dual paper trays and the SmartSolutions touch screen.
We already have a Lexmark Platinum Pro905 on the way, so keep your eyes peeled for an in-depth review coming soon.
Justin Yu covers desktop computers, printers, and peripherals for CNET. When he's not scouring eBay for useless ephemera or eating hot dogs for breakfast, he spends his time making fun of Internet culture every morning on The 404 podcast. E-mail Justin. 
~just my $.02
- by Jerry Grasso September 1, 2009 6:17 PM PDT
- Justin: Just a clarification, not all lines include wireless n connectivity. Five of the eight we launched do. Those models that do include the Platinum, Prestige, Prevail, Prospect and the Interact. For more information, please go to: http://www.lexmark.com/US/ISD_launch/minisite.html.
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- by justin.yu September 1, 2009 9:05 PM PDT
- Fixed--I apologize, this is the line from the press release that led me astray:
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- by daltoncoon September 15, 2009 6:30 PM PDT
- Jerry,
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(4 Comments)Thank you,
Jerry Grasso
VP of Corporate Communications
Lexmark International
"Wireless - Lexmark delivers wireless capability across the entire line of new inkjet AIO products. Additionally, Lexmark is the first to introduce Wireless-N (IEEE 802.11n) for customers in need of longer range and more reliable signals for faster file transfer rates3."
http://www.lexmark.com/lexmark/pressrelease/home/0,6930,204816596_653271419_1376947396_en,00.html
JY
I purchased one of these new printers last week, specifically the Platinum Pro 905. Unfortunately the printer that I brought home, unpacked, configured, and attempted to use, does not work properly. The Auto document feeder roller pops up when a document is placed into the tray and trips the sensor, sadly popping up does not hold down a document when the roller is ABOVE the document rendering the ADF entirely useless... Scanning and copying is basically a exercise in futility and a complete time waste, I purchased this printer for specifically these functions.
I called Lexmarks tech support line, spent 20 minutes on hold, another 40 or so plugging in and unplugging and waiting on hold between each step for five minutes while your tech went and got instructions on how to proceed for each of these blatantly obvious "fixes" that did not begin to address the problem I am having with this piece of hardware.
Eventually they told me that they would have to have a level 3 support person call me and that they would contact me in the next 24 hours. So on MONDAY, 72 hours later I received a call back, the representative basically verified my address and told me that they are interested in capturing this printer as it is a new model and that he would send me a new one next business day.
Tuesday, upon returning from work I had a package waiting at my door, upon inspection the rather anemic box I received was a Prospect 205, thought that was cute, Lexmark replacing my $400 printer with a $170 unit... after spending another 30 minutes on hold, I finally spoke to somebody who basically told me that they would have a supervisor call me tomorrow.
So maybe at this rate I can have a working printer by October...
If you would like to know why I have not returned it yet, at first I was just trying to be a nice guy and help Lexmark figure out potential problems with their new product, but come to find out the store I purchased it from wants me to pay $87 to replace the 4 ink cartridges I installed but have not used.
For your information, THIS IS NOT OKAY! Lexmarks top of the line home/small office product does not work for simple tasks, Lexmarks support department is clueless and cannot accomplish a basic drop ship, and most importantly to me, I don't have a working printer/copier.
Thank You
Dalton ****