Inkjet Multi-Function Devices group test review
all-in-one inkjet printer, scanner and copier
Review date: 10 May, 2005. Review by: IT Reviews Staff
Our final MFD is the Lexmark X7170. It is absolutely huge and is the heaviest unit in this group by nearly one kilo, and getting it out of the box and on to the desk is something of a struggle.
Once you've got it all plugged in you'll probably be taken aback by the huge array of blue LEDs, but really it's the size that grabs your attention time and time again. Not only is it a big unit but there are lots of sticky-out parts, not least of which is the unusual power adapter that Lexmark uses.
It's a clip-on device that presumably allows Lexmark to change power supplies depending on the territory it is selling to, and while it's a neat idea the build quality feels quite flimsy. The power cord sticks straight out, as does the USB cable and phone line so you'd better make sure you have plenty of desk space for the X7170.
Software installation takes quite some time and involves the printing of an alignment sheet, and then you're ready for action. Plain text printing is surprisingly fast and the Lexmark almost matches the superb HP Photosmart 2610 for speed, although the X7170 does get a bit noisy as the carriage moves from side to side. The printed text output is good and clear, and the ink is black and sharp.
Coloured printing is also fast but the quality is less impressive as there is some banding, and the colours aren't particularly accurate either, and it makes little difference whether you use the black cartridge or the special photo cartridge. This rather detracts from the inclusion PictBridge USB port on the front of the X7170 as we wouldn't feel inclined to use it for photo printing.
Lexmark could also make life easier for the customer by doing some work on the front panel controls. It's easy enough to scroll up and down the options that it offers you but you often have to choose from a long list and the tiny display can only show them one at a time.
Although the Lexmark has a number of virtues it would ideally be rather smaller, include a network port and ditch the camera printing options.
Company: Epson
Contact: 0800 220546
Company: Brother
Contact: 0845 544 3032
Company: Brother
Contact: 0845 544 3032
Company: HP
Contact: 0845 270 4000
Company: Canon
Contact: 0870 514 3723
Company: HP
Contact: 0845 270 4000
Company: Canon
Contact: 0870 514 3723
Company: Lexmark
Contact: 08704 440044
