Lexmark Z1300 – Unbelievably Priced Printer

Pros

Believe it or not, the Lexmark Z1300 is priced only at $25. Apart from this, the printer delivers really fast print speeds and the wreckage guard of the printer is really a solicitous watch.

Cons

The Lexmark Z1300’s bundled productivity software is limited and the print quality for the system can also use a tad refining. But still it’s $25.

Introduction

The single function printers these days are like an archaic relic, especially when you see so many color inkjet multi-function printers fighting to secure their place on the office superstores’ shelves. This is why sometimes we even forget the modest, single-function printer. But still there are consumers in the market that wants to keep things straight and simple and doesn’t have the need of copy, fax or scan.

One such printer is the Lexmark Z1300. You can consider it as a rarity.  But whatever you consider the Z1300, the truth is that the printer having a stunted price tag of $25 is the least expensive printer in market (at least that is what our research says). Even HP’s inkjet printer the DeskJet D2430 costs around $40.

So considering the low price of Z1300 we kept our expectations down before starting the review and that’s what we would recommend to you as well. But contrasting to our expectations, the printer shocked us by keeping up with even the pricier competition. Unluckily, the print quality for the printer still is a bit short of what we expected of it, and leaves something to be desired. But then if you look at the price tag, $25 can’t get you everything. So if all that you need is a basic inkjet printer for expediency and you really don’t care about the immense print quality, then the Lexmark Z1300 is just the ideal deal for you. But if print quality is what you need, then you have to spend more. One decent option that can deliver better-looking prints at realistic price is the $50 Canon Pixma iP1800, you even can consider that things.

Design

The Lexmark Z1300 flaunts a simple design, which clearly reflects the basic functionality of the printer as well. The lustrous white body of the printer measures16.9 inches wide by 8.4 inches deep by 4.8 inches tall and weighs immensely light at 5 pounds. The paper handling for the printer is typical basic printer handling: the input system for the printer can store 100 sheets, and sticks out from the back, while the output tray of the printer comes out from the front. The input area of the printer is protected by a semi-transparent gray screen that keeps off the unwanted objects such as paper clips and pens. The only other feature available on the body of the Z1300 is the power button.

The ink system for the Z1300 is again typical low-cost inkjet printer ink system: one tricolor (CMY) and one black cartridge. Though, if you want six-color photo printing, you can swap the black tank with a tricolor photo tank.

Now as the printer is a basic printer, there actually isn’t much, except for the bundled software to talk about in Z1300. The Lexmark Solution Center (integrated on the installation CD) provides all sorts of assistance you need for your printer. It provides help in finding the troubleshooter and how-tos for the printer, in addition to maintenance instructions. The information on the CD is well compiled information.

System Configuration

Price: $129.99
Manufacturer: Lexmark
Part Number: 0020A0000
Printer Type: Ink-jet – Color Personal printer
Dimensions (W x D x H): 16.9 x 8.3 x 4.8 mm
System weight: 5.1 lbs
Technology: Lexmark Thermal Inkjet

Supported Media Type: Banners, Cards, Index cards, Envelopes, Plain paper, Photo paper, Glossy paper, coated paper, Iron-on transfers and Transparencies
Operating System Supported: Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, and Apple MacOS X 10.3.x or later, Microsoft Windows Vista, Apple MacOS X 10.4.4 or later
Power source: Power adapter – External
Service & Support: Replacement – 1 year, Details Limited warranty

Performance

Priced at $25, the Lexmark Z1300 delivered significantly decent performance or to us it was surprising performance in our speed tests. It bested and even tied with some of sub-$100 competitions. Though, as no other vendor makes the similarly priced printer, we compared this printer with slightly expensive printer inkjet printers. The printer delivered black text print at the rate of 6.82 ppm (pages per minute) and was a hair quicker than Lexmark’s slightly expensive Z1420 who delivered speed of 6.68ppm. Though, while printing 4×6 photos, the printer tied with both the Canon iP1800 and Lexmark Z1420 and delivered the score of 0.72ppm.

The low cost of the printer starts appearing in the quality of the prints, though unlike the Z1420, the Z1300 delivered decent quality text prints. But the same was not the case with color graphics print and they had a tad faded look and the color blocks showed graininess and faint horizontal striations. The barcode style patterns in the prints were also a bit muddled. So, may be not for the speed test, but for the quality the price of the printer showed up.

Support

Lexmark offers a one year standard warranty for its Z1300. The toll-free support for the printer can also be availed from Monday to Friday through 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT. Online support can also be availed via online chat with tech support, during the aforementioned timings, or can even send an e-mail to the tech support at any given point of time. There also is a knowledge base available at Lexmark’s Web site, which offers how-tos and FAQs, in addition to drivers and product manuals.

Word from the Experts

Priced at rock-bottom $25 the Lexmark Z1300 is an unbelievably priced printer which clearly is not everyone, but if you need only occasional prints then this is quite a bargain.