Lexmark X6170 Gets the Job Done
Pros:
Print quality, software ease install and use, solidly built, convenient buttons, quiet
Cons:
Not speedy printer for quality
The Bottom Line:
Multifuction printer, quality printouts if not mind slow speed (on par with the competition speedwise), solidly built, easy to use software, convenient buttons for routine tasks
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I bought this multifunction printer/copier/scanner/fax as needed a replacement for my aging HP710. I tried replacing it with another HP but gave up with that after 1*GB* bloatware install horror which is the topic of another Epinions review I wrote. It was so nice to install the less than 100MB software (less than 10% of size of HP). I only had one little hiccup related to a missing Win98SE driver which was quickly resolved with Lexmark Tech support. Also like many recent printers, the X6170 requires an available USB port on your PC. Unlike HP and other competitors, all Lexmark sells is printers. Beyond the installation, here is what I like and don’t like about the Lexmark X6170.
PROS
- A quality photo printer and scanner. Its not 100% perfect but it is very close with so every slight differences between the original and the copy.
- Works well for printing files and website from the PC with no quality issues here. While printing, a pop up comes on your screen giving you the % of the job completed plus level of ink in the black and color ink cartridges (there are only two).
- Faxing and copying works good, even for color, which not have to be connected to a PC for it to work. There is a convenient ENLARGE/REDUCE button on the machine which have conveniently used. Lexmark also makes it simple with on the machine one button to do color and one button to do black and white. Also can conveniently switch between copying, scanning, and faxing at touch of separate buttons for each on the machine.
- Software PC onscreen menu system is uncomplicated and fairly simple to change settings, though the defaults are satisfactory for most tasks.
- Has conveniently placed input and output trays. You can also use automated document scanner or it has a flatbed scanner for those magazines, etc. Note flatbed scanner is limited to documents 11" x 8.5" or less though can do legal size documents with the ADF.
- Base of machine can sit on printer stand as small as 19’ L by 13’ W which is a compact footprint. Note the top of the machine is 19' L by 19' W.
- Machine is relatively quiet even with scanning and printing operations.
- Note that Lexmark does not have 24x7 tech support, but even the evening and Saturday hours are sufficient to meet needs here.
WHAT WISH LEXMARK COULD DO BETTER WITH THIS MACHINE
- Though it has a nice lighted display, its hard to see the black writing of the OPTIONS(menu), SELECT(enter), QUALITY, etc. buttons on the medium grey finish unless you have an overhead light shining on the machine if daylight is not in the room.
- Similar to other manufacturers who hype their print and copy speeds, Lexmark is no different. If you need a fast black and white text printer, find a laser printer which this machine is not.
- Though the normal mode printouts are usable, I have found it is better to use the BETTER mode (there is also a BEST mode) and also selecting the LIGHT/DARKEN button to slightly darken the printouts.
- Replacement cartridges are around $40 each though after six months I still have only used one half of the originals that came with the machine as only do color printing with this machine.
