Lexmark's X4650 multifunction printer works over Wi-Fi--or with the bundled USB cable.
(Credit: Wal-Mart)In the market for a new printer? Might as well get one that doubles as a scanner and copier. And one that works without wires.
Wal-Mart has the Lexmark X4650 wireless all-in-one printer for $59. Shipping will run you 97 cents, though you can skip that by opting for store pickup. Either way, plan on paying sales tax.
As most of you know, I hold Wi-Fi printers in the same high regard as chocolate-covered caramels and Jessica Alba. The X4650 connects to your Wi-Fi router for blissfully wireless printing and scanning.
Ironically, Wal-Mart bundles a 10-foot Tripp Lite gold-plated USB cable, just in case you're not planning to go the Wi-Fi route.
The X4650 offers dual-cartridge printing. If you want the best possible photo results, you can swap in a photo-ink cartridge for the black one and enjoy six-color output.
The downside is that, as with most inkjets, cartridges cost a pretty penny. Plan on dropping at least $25 for each replacement--a little less if you go the remanufactured route.
The printer supports all the latest versions of Windows and Mac OS X. Though it lacks fax capabilities, it can scan to your PC's fax modem (if it has one) and also offers a handy scan-to-e-mail option.
In short, it's a fairly basic multifunction printer, one that sold for $130 when it debuted about a year ago. CNET hasn't reviewed it, but the reviews I've seen elsewhere have been mostly positive. (The only real ding is relatively slow printing.)
In any case, $59 for a Wi-Fi-equipped all-in-one is a rare find. Definitely worth considering.
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Print, scan, and copy for $29. Do I need to say anything more?
(Credit: Dell)Multifunction printers are insanely handy. No more running to Kinkos every time you need to...
Wait a minute. This sounds familiar. Oh, right, I wrote up an MFP last Wednesday. But that deal on the Epson Workforce 500 all-in-one photo printer is long gone. And anyway, there was a rebate involved. Blech! Ptooey!
No rebates this time. Dell has the V105 multifunction printer for just $29 shipped. (You may have to pony up a couple bucks for sales tax.)
As you might expect, this is a fairly bare-bones model--but remember that it's more than just a printer. It also scans and copies (in color or monochrome) via a letter-size flatbed.
The V105 supports one tricolor and one black ink cartridge (replacements sell for around $20 apiece). You can also swap in a photo cartridge for your matte/glossy needs. However, and this is important, only the tricolor cartridge comes in the box. You can print without the black cartridge, but you'll burn through ink that much faster.
Speaking of photos, the V105 can produce borderless prints up to 5x7 inches. There's also a one-touch photo copy feature (for easily duplicating 4x6-inch prints).
Unsurprisingly, this model doesn't fax, nor does it support any connections other than USB. (Cable not included; here's a six-footer for $1.02.) It has no memory-card slots and no LCD preview screen. And the bundled software is Windows-only.
Still, $29 for an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier? I haven't found any substantial reviews of this model, but if you have simple print/scan/copy needs, this is a pretty low-risk investment.
By the way, this deal ends tomorrow, September 3--and it could easily sell out before then--so I'd click fast.
Multifunction printers are insanely handy. No more running to Kinkos every time you need to make a few copies or send a fax. And right now, OfficeMax has an insanely good deal on the Epson Workforce 500 all-in-one: it's $59.99 shipped.
Now, I know the headline says $39.99, so what gives? If you're willing to sign up for a MaxPerks account (it's free), you'll get a rebate in the form of a $20 prepaid VISA card, which is more or less the same as cash.
This fully loaded multifunction printer can be yours for just $39.99 (after an automated rebate).
(Credit: Epson)The Workforce 500 (which is new, not a refurb) features a 30-sheet auto document feeder, memory card slots for all the major formats, and a 2.5-inch color LCD for previewing photos before printing.
In addition to cranking out photos and documents, the Workforce can send and receive faxes and scan and copy anything that fits on its letter-size flatbed. It also comes with OCR software--a nice perk.
My favorite feature: individual ink tanks (one each for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). That cuts way down on ink waste, as you replace only those cartridges that need replacing.
The only missing ingredient is Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi connectivity. Alas, this model's USB only. (OfficeMax's product page mentions parallel as well, but that's a mistake. This isn't 1993.) See Epson's product page for full specs and details.
I haven't found many professional reviews of the Workforce 500, but the user reviews I've read have been mixed. The big complaint: The ink cartridges run out quickly.
Still, given that you're essentially getting a free multifunction printer for about the price of a set of cartridges, I think it's hard to argue with this deal. I may pick one up just so my kids can print and copy stuff.
Lexmark's 4.3-inch touch-screen LCD.
(Credit: Lexmark)Not to be outdone by HP's recent touch-screen printer, the folks at Lexmark just debuted their line of Web-connected touch-screen all-in-ones.
The big difference between the two is that although they both have touch technology, the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web is meant to live in the home, while the three printers featuring Lexmark's MyTouch technology are designed to increase productivity for the business market. Nevertheless, this won't stop us from putting them side-by-side in the first ever Web-connected, touch-screen-printing kumite.
Only three out of the eight new products include a large 4.3-inch touch screen, coincidentally the exact same size of HP's LCD screen. I had a chance to preview the entire lineup, and I was impressed with the comprehensive set of new features built into each device. The "SmartSolutions" button layout lets SMBs streamline their work flow by customizing their home screen with easy-to-use applications that include template shortcuts, address book favorites, RSS feeds, ID and ID card copies--all built into the machine with updates available through the host computer.
Four of the new printers also feature 802.11n wireless connectivity and all eight include Lexmark's Vizix technology that uses individual ink tanks to produce higher quality output at a cheaper refill cost. Business users will also be happy to see Lexmark's new business card scanning technology that recognizes and automatically uploads contact information into popular desktop software suites. One drawback: the technology isn't available for Apple's vCard address book sync.
All of the new printers will be available in September, and we'll be getting units into the CNET Labs as soon as possible to begin testing, so check back soon to see who will win in a head-to-head match.
See you in hell, USB cables! The Lexmark X6675 multifunction works over Wi-Fi.
(Credit: Buy.com)Multifunction printers are insanely handy. You can make copies--color copies--without having to run to Kinko's. You can send faxes like it's 1995. You can scan documents for electronic storage. Oh, and you can print.
Indeed, the only thing better than a multifunction printer is a wireless multifunction printer, one you can stick in a corner, a closet, or wherever. Like, say, the Lexmark X6675, which Buy.com has for $85.99 shipped.
These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to monkey with any rebates. Nor do you need an Ethernet or USB cable (though it does support USB connections), as the X6675 works over Wi-Fi.
No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.
Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.
Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. Nearly 30 users on Buy.com rated it 4.5 stars out of 5--a damn good average. The Lexmark lists for $150, so you're getting quite the deal.
Office jockeys and home entrepreneurs take note: Canon's two newest batters in the Pixma lineup of all-in-one printers are packing some serious heat. The Pixma MX860 and Pixma MX330 multifunction inkjets are generally suited for small businesses operating out of the home, but don't let the "business" moniker fool you; they also feature Canon's ChromaLife 100 ink system that uses both dye and pigment ink to get the best image quality possible in a small printer. Both printers are available for purchase now at their respective prices. Here's a closer look at their individual features:
Canon Pixma MX860
- $199.99
- Built-in wireless 802.11b/g print server in addition an Ethernet network port
- Auto-duplex paper handling lets you print on both sides of a single sheet
- Capability to print and scan at the same time, decreasing the time it takes to complete a project
- Super G3 fax capabilities can handle up to 250 incoming pages in memory
- Large 2.5-inch TFT color screen
- Five color individual ink tank system
- Max resolution: 9,600x2,400 color dpi
Canon Pixma MX330
- $109.99
- Auto photo fix detects types of photos and automatically corrects brightness and contrast
- Includes 1.8-inch TFT color screen
- Printer can produce a "photo-lab" quality four inch by six inch photo in 41 seconds, according to Canon
- Max color resolution: 4,800x2,400dpi
- Features Canon's Quick Start feature that changes from the start-up screen to stand-by mode in seconds after pressing power key
This business-class multifunction printer cuts the cord with Wi-Fi.
(Credit: Buy.com)It's a printer. It's a fax machine. It's a copier. It's a scanner. It's four, four, FOUR machines in one! And...wait for it...it's wireless, too! Yep, the Lexmark X6675 multifunction printer dispenses with pesky USB cables in favor of 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Buy.com has the Lexmark X6675 for $91.99 shipped.
These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to mess around with any rebates. (If you do decide to go the USB route, however, it's BYO: cable not included.)
No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.
Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.
Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. I haven't found many reviews of this particular model, though a pair of users on Buy.com gave it five stars.
This multifunction photo printer normally sells for $150 or more.
(Credit: Epson)Epson's having a rare sale: you can get a refurbished Epson Stylus Photo RX595 all-in-one printer for just $55 shipped.
What's significant about this model? Most of the cheapie multifunction printers I come across have low-end print engines, meaning they're not great for photos. The Stylus Photo RX595, as you might infer from the name, was built with glossies in mind.
It accepts just about any memory card on the planet (USB drives, too), previews images on a 2.5-inch color LCD, and prints using a six-cartridge system. It can also print on CDs and DVDs, scan directly to PDF, and crop/edit photos--no PC required.
CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but it rates 3.5 stars from Amazon customers. It's Windows- and Mac-compatible; all users will need to supply their own USB cable. Thankfully, even though this is a refurb, Epson backs it with a full one-year warranty.
One final note: Yes, replacement ink is expensive. That's true of all printers. So you might as well get the best possible deal on the hardware.
Dear Lexmark,
We'd like to invite you and one of your printers to join our secret society: it's called Best 5, and although we don't have perverted initiations, secret handshakes, or kooky hats, you do get to feature your X7675 Professional on our list of the Best 5 printers.
We put the X7675 printer/scanner/copier/fax machine through a series of grueling tests to gauge its print speed, ease of use, and output quality, and we're impressed with the results. The front mounted control panel contains individual buttons that toggle commonly used preferences, and you can even plug your camera's memory cards into the media bay for direct printing.
The printer did tempt us to unleash the ceremonial paddle two times during our tests: first, the paper input tray can only hold up to 100 sheets of paper, while the competition offers similarly priced units that can support 250 pages. As long as you don't mind refilling paper every once in while, this is a minor irritation. Second, the tray that's supposed to catch paper as it rockets out of the printer is way too short; we actually stationed a pledge with a trashcan beneath the printer to catch the falling debris, but it's also a problem that is easily solved with five fingers and a little attention.
So congratulations, Lexmark--your X7675 Professional now joins the ranks of the most world renowned Top 5ers. Your inauguration will come at a time of our choosing--maybe tonight, maybe six months from now, but we recommend continuing to bring the heat--your membership depends on it!
Why have a separate printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine when you can get all of those devices in one machine? The multifunction printer is the next evolution of desktop companions that can do everything but say "you're welcome."
A solid all-in-one printer gives you the functionality of each part without sacrificing individual quality, and most of them actually seamlessly integrate with your work environment thanks to front-loading media card readers, built in 802.11 b/g print servers, and easy-to-use driver software. Take a look at a list of our favorite AIOs and decide for yourself, but whether you spend a little or a lot, a multifunctional printer is the most practical solution to organize your home office.
Check out our round-up of our favorite multifunctional printers.
