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Different products from the same maker inevitably share some common characteristics, and Lexmark's range of inkjets have a very definite family resemblance. Superficially, they all look like siblings thanks to their colouring, but the Z53's sheer bulk leaves you in no doubt who's the big brother.
Setting up the Z53 is kept pretty easy thanks to an easy-to-follow set-up poster that breaks rigging up into manageable steps. No cable to connect the Z53 to your PC is supplied, though, so remember to pick one up before you leave the shop to save frustration later.
Unlike cheaper Lexmark machinery, a choice of parallel and USB options is available, meaning even owners of older PCs can enjoy pacy printing.
Software control
The driver software that Lexmark supplies for its printers is generally excellent - and it has to be. With only two buttons actually on the printer, all the basic control and functionality is dealt with from the software. On the whole, it's friendly and intuitive to use.
Like the whole Lexmark Z range, the Z53 claims some very impressive performance figures, namely the 2400 x 1200dpi resolution and the claimed 16 pages per minute of text printing.
But resolution doesn't tell the whole story when it comes to printers, and a machine which claims to be capable of the highest isn't necessarily going to be the best.
Text printing
One thing that does seem to improve with this sky-high resolution is the quality of the printed text. On good quality inkjet paper, the text is very sharp indeed and even though it's a hackneyed comparison, it really is tough to distinguish it from text produced on a laser printer.
The claims of eye-popping speed can be disputed immediately as that refers to the time it takes to print relatively poor, draft-quality text. Even so, we were impressed that when appropriate quality settings were used, the Lexmark was far quicker than any other printer we've seen in the price range.
It managed to print five-and-a-bit pages of text in a minute, and although the three minutes to print an A4-sized photographic image is less impressive, it still compares favourably with pretty much any other printer on the market, let alone any that cost £119.
Photo printing
Sadly, one further genetic hangover this Lexmark carries on its back is its modest photo printing talent. Lexmark printers rarely match the photo-printing prowess of equivalent HP and Epson models and the same proves to be the case here. The prints look a little striped and lack finesse, but for throwing out snapshots of your holiday to send to friends and playing about, they are perfectly adequate.
Running an inkjet printer can be an expensive pastime and in the main, Lexmark refills are rarely the cheapest on the shelves. A new black cartridge costs £27 and a colour one is £37 direct from Lexmark.
If you do lots and lots of printing, running costs may be a worry, but for the average home user it shouldn't be too much of a problem. That said, the fact that all the coloured inks have to be replaced together, rather than one at a time, means you will be replacing cartridges before they are totally exhausted.
Despite all this, the Z53 represents a good printer for the home: it's cheap, fast and easy to use. Why not make it one of the family?
Contact
Lexmark: 01268 481500 www.lexmark.co.uk
ALSO CONSIDER
Lexmark Z33
Worth considering for new buyers and upgraders alike.
£79 ****
See also:
Ease of use and automatic cartridge alignment make the Z65 an attractive buy. 27 Aug 2002
All Inkjet Printers
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