Roundup: 13 Multifunction Printers : Lexmark X5650
By
Digital Versus,
published on March 18, 2009
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14. Lexmark X5650
Scanner and Copier
Scanning the initial preview of the test photo takes 9 seconds and the full scan in 300 dpi takes 20. No racehorse then, but these speeds are fine and quality is good enough. The scans could be sharper but the colors are nice to the eye.
The copier isnt that fast either: 30 seconds for a black and white and more than a minute for color.
The X5650 is a pro-grade Lexmark printer. It is almost identical to the all-in-one X6675: black and gray, with a simple interface and a black and white screen. It also uses the same cartridges: 36 / 37 or 36XL / 37XL. So why's it so much cheaper? No WiFi, that’s why.
Office printing: rapid, as it should be
In draft mode, Lexmark claims 25 ppm. With our test documents, we only got 17.3 ppm. In standard mode, we got 6.2 ppm (black and white) and 4 ppm (color). This isn’t really very good for color as the average is 6/7 ppm.
So, speed’s not that great but what about quality? Draft mode gives very faint blacks and ink drops are visible. Standard mode is obviously better but the drops remain visible. Graphs are well presented with tinted areas nice and even, text well rendered on background colors but still with visible drops.
Photo printing: slow and less convincing
A 4x6 color photo takes a little over a minute, which is a lot when compared to 40 seconds for the competition. For A4s it takes about 3 minutes. Always the same question: does the quality justify the wait? Firstly, there’s a lack of red in the gray mix. The images aren’t very sharp and horizontal lines are quite visible.
Cartridges
As you no doubt know, Lexmark has 2 types of cartridges: standards and XLs; the XLs are obviously more economical.
Office printing: rapid, as it should be
In draft mode, Lexmark claims 25 ppm. With our test documents, we only got 17.3 ppm. In standard mode, we got 6.2 ppm (black and white) and 4 ppm (color). This isn’t really very good for color as the average is 6/7 ppm.
So, speed’s not that great but what about quality? Draft mode gives very faint blacks and ink drops are visible. Standard mode is obviously better but the drops remain visible. Graphs are well presented with tinted areas nice and even, text well rendered on background colors but still with visible drops.
Photo printing: slow and less convincing
A 4x6 color photo takes a little over a minute, which is a lot when compared to 40 seconds for the competition. For A4s it takes about 3 minutes. Always the same question: does the quality justify the wait? Firstly, there’s a lack of red in the gray mix. The images aren’t very sharp and horizontal lines are quite visible.
Cartridges
As you no doubt know, Lexmark has 2 types of cartridges: standards and XLs; the XLs are obviously more economical.
| Cartridges | ISO lifespan | ||
| 36 (black) | 175 | ||
| 37 (single unit) | 150 | ||
| 36XL (black) | 500 | ||
| 37XL (single unit) | 500 |
| Lexmark X5650 | |
|---|---|
| Pluses | Minuses |
|
|
This is a cheap printer with a fax included. If you are able to overlook the speed and quality issues, this machine is good enough--and the fact that theres no wi-fi means that the price stays affordable.
Compare prices on Lexmark X5650
I've used Epson photo quality printers at home for years and have been very happy with the print quality and costs. My only issue, is that after a few years 3-5 they clog up and print unevenly. The good news is by then, the newer printers have much better quality and cost less.
if you guys at toms still have these machines i would love to find out if they still work after you leave them sitting for a month and a bit.
my biggest issue with all ink jets is they dry up on me.
i have been through both cheap and pricy ones and all die.
i have given up and turned to mono laser and for the rare occasion i need colour i go to the local copy shop.
the only think I can say is I'll NEVER buy an Epson printer. Good quality colors, yes, but SHIT ink design.
I am still using my HP officejet 1170c which must be well over 10 years old now and not a problem yet (touch wood) would never touch a lexmark again last one lasted about a year and went in the bin
here's a tip for dainsane1 - leave the printer on 24/7 to fix drying/clogging print heads
I just bought a MP620 and so far so good, great quality printing, photos are fantastic, but must use Canon paper for this and so much easier to set-up than and Brother MFC machine (what a nightmare!) had Epson before this and it crapped out after 2.5 years. Its so good to have a WIFI machine !!! At least in Auckland its so damp the jets will never dry out!
This is a really poor article,
1/ some list cartrige span, some don't/
2/ prices? where are they?
3/ Is this easy to use as its simply easy on the front panel? or has the reviewer actually used it?
4/ I could go on and on, I can't make much sense out of whihc to go for, no conclusion, limited info, few facts, duplex?
terrible article, read elsewhere....
Stinkyink now offer ink cartridges for the Kodak ESP5 ink. Oh and it's free delivery too!
Stinkyink now offer ink cartridges for the Kodak ESP7 ink. Oh and it's free delivery too!