Customer Reviews

Lexmark Inkjet Printer (Z1420)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I've always had to buy a wireless printer server to accomplish wireless printing and it was always a pain, sometimes it would work for a while, then quit for who knows what reason, then you redo the configuration and the cycle repeats.

This printer had some bad reviews, but considering built-in wi-fi and the fact that this printer costs less than buying the wireless printer server box (where you'll need a printer to go with that, separately) - I gave it a go.

The quality is ok, totally usable for office, home environments, where you don't need blinding quality. If you're looking for a very sharp, high end, photo-quality color printing - this printer won't do. However, for vast majority of printing tasks - it's more than sufficient. Wireless config and reconfig is a snap with the software that comes with it. I was able to easily reconfigure it to work on various wi-fi networks, including WEP - all very quick and hassle free. The config is typically done via the USB cable, which is also supplied (which is unreal, since most printer s that cost more don't come with one).

Definitely recommend this printer.

I waited to post a review on this printer. I have had no problems to date.
The installation CD walks you through the set up for your PC, and then I just loaded the CD on addtional laptops.
I first saw this on QVC for a higher price, and once again, Amazon had the lowest price with free shipping.
There is also imaging software included to manage and print photo's.
Would highly reccomend this to any house hold that has a wireless network.

After calling Customer Service (generally very helpful) to install the first Z1420 that I received, we diagnosed an inoperable wireless print server. OK, Lexmark said to keep that one and use it until a replacement arrived. The second installation stalled at the exact same step. Figuring I must be doing something wrong, I called Customer Service again. After going through all sorts of restarts, the CS Rep said that I had a second defective wifi unit! What sort of error rate would they have for these printers that I got 2 defective ones?!? Since this was a great inconvenience to me, Lexmark said that they would send an "upgraded printer that might also be a scanner". I thought, "OK, whatever, just get me one that works!" The 'all-in-one' that I received next did not have built-in wireless. What kind of an upgrade is that - not having the one feature I bought the printer for?!? Fortunately, when I called Customer Service, the rep quickly agreed that I was sent the wrong type of printer and agreed to send me a wireless all-in-one (X4530). Well, two days later an X4550 arrived. That one installed fine on my 'base' desktop computer that is connected to my wireless router, but I had to call Customer Service (again) for help installing my laptop. This CS rep was not so friendly, and tried to blame the problem on the amount of RAM on my laptop. While helping me, he also tried to insult my internet connection, but I told him I have a high-speed cable connection, so he gave up on that. I could not accept the RAM explanation, and I told him that there was no way that the low amount of RAM was preventing my laptop from sending a simple document through the air to my wireless router! After some reconfiguring of some settings, he was able to get the printer working properly.

(Note: Except for the fact that my computer was running slowly as it was apparently still trying to "wake up" and the software incorrectly directing me to use the USB printer cable when installing the laptop, I think I could have installed the laptop without having to call CS.)

So, to sum it up, the printer is wirelessly printing now, both from the base computer and from my laptop. Quality is just fine for school projects, maps, and other household uses. I haven't tried photos yet, but the sample page had a picture that came out OK. I have had quite an ordeal with what I expected to be a simple printer purchase, but Lexmark has done the right thing, and I expect I will be happy with the printer now.

I just recently purchased 2 computers; one Mac and one Dell; to add to my existing WiFi network. I had been using an HP all in one and wanted to be able to print with all of my computers on it through the WiFi network. I purchased a Linksys print server and ended up with a day of frustration. The Linksys software crashed both my new Dell and my old computer and it was worthless with respect to the Mac. I ended up returning it for this Lexmark printer. The setup for this printer was flawless. Not only on the PCs, but the Mac as well. Total time was about 20 minutes. I don't know about how the printer will last over time, but I would recommend the folks who don't have WiFi printing as yet (HP and Canon) to copy the ease of setup.

I had some trouble getting it to connect to my wireless network. Although the installation CD gave clear, easy, setup instructions and everything seemed to go just fine until it was to connect to my network, then I'd get a flashing WiFi light and nothing would happen. The good news is that once I was able to get a phone number for support, everything went fine. I had to download another installation script from the web and run it via the printer's USB port. The support tech stayed with me until everything ran right.

The printer itself is just fine for basic home or office work. I don't like the fact that the paper tray is upright from the printer, it makes the unit tall and limits where you can put it. The print quality is normal for these type of printers. High yield OEM replacement cartridge sets cost nearly what the printer does (as is typical of this class of printer).

But the wireless printing, that is just fabulous. No more print servers, no more going out to my office to boot up my wired computer so I could see its printer on the network. Just leave the Lexmark on standby sitting in the closet in the den. Print from anywhere, anytime. Oh, and let me mention the price again. A real bargain.

Printer works well on Mac 10.4, but I tried installing it on 10.5 first which cost me an hour of frustration and a call to tech support. They told me an update for Mac 10.5 will be available on Jan 19.

One other complaint -- the paper feed is clunky, and sometimes pulls the paper in at a slight angle.

Still, a good printer for basic office stuff, with wi-fi allowing you place the printer anywhere and print from multiple computers.

The low cost of this amazing printer is less than I expected to pay for just a Wireless Card to connect a printer to my network. Even better is that the included software configures the printer to the network (mine is a Cisco Linksys) and all you have to tell the software is the Network Passwork and it does the rest. Then, a quick visit to each additional household computer (with the software CD) and the entire network can access this printer. Since it's wireless you can place it anywhere in the house that you have an electrical outlet. A bonus is that once you understand the simple beauty of a wireless printer like this, you will be confident to add other new wireless devices to your network (security systems, entertainment systems, heating systems, etc). This is a great little printer AND you should definitely buy it.

I never bought a printer before -- I always would sneak at work & do my personal printing. I read nearly all of the Amazon reviews on small printers - and chose this one. I am more than pleased.

I am a computer-dummy, and I set the WiFi up all by myself! I have operated it for about 2 months & No problems! WiFi is SO convenient with my laptop. The printing is good. I love the small size/footprint of the printer itself and the low price.

I am so glad I bought this printer rather than the more expensive ones I reviewed!

Ease of use- 5
Speed of wifi printing- 5 -(fast)
Quality of prints- 4 -(but not bad at all!)
Durability- unknown
Life of ink cartridges- 3 -similar to other printers. They do not last as long as you would like.

I have had this printer about a month now. No problems as of yet-- It installed on all my computers in the house and I have not seen any glitches in printing yet. It is very handy to have setting downstairs (away from my office upstairs with 3 computers and 3 LPT1 printers attached). I can use my laptops to print to it wirelessly from anywhere in the house (kitchen table-countertop-front seat of car in garage).
The drawback I have noticed is that the install program installs Microsoft Net Framework 2.0 and the Lexmark Imaging Studio programs on all the machines you want to use the printer with. These are 2 HUGE programs. And the Lexmark Imaging Studio (a photo program) launches very slowly on all machines. A "read me" file with the install tells you to wait a minute or two before launching the Imaging Studio if you have to close it for any reason. That leads to to believe there might be a problem with the program the way it is written if they warn you not to re-launch it for a few minutes. I like my other photo programs better. A call to Lexmark Support says that you cannot just un-install the Lexmark Imaging studio program. It is required to have the printer work (???) I have not tried un-installing the imaging studio after hearing that.
All in all- a NICE printer--very responsive--fast--easy to setup by following the CD wizard.
Lexmark Imaging Studio" has to go-- I give it a thumbs down. If I could un-install the Imaging Studio program and have the printer function normally I would do it. Maybe I can and Lexmark's answer was not true? But I have not tried it yet. I hate to disable the printer and have to re-install--- even though it is not hard. But--YOU know what I mean. Why wreck something that is working.
ALL in all- I would buy the printer again. The wireless conveinence is just to good to give up. I just have to stop thinking about the bloated "Imaging Studio" program and not use it.
Mike in Ohio

One very annoying feature of this printer is the power saver feature. If the printer is not used for 10 or so minutes it goes into power saver mode and you have to press the on switch to get it back out of its "sleep mode". The problem is, it will not accept a network job while its "sleeping". The whole point of buying a network printer was so that the printer could be up in the loft and laptops could print to it. It kind of defeats the purpose if we have to walk upstairs, wake the printer, and then print. I called tech support, and they informed me that the printer just works that way. Nothing can be done.

Still, overall a nice printer. Some wifi "print servers" cost nearly as much as this printer. Why buy two boxes and risk something not working with the other. This thing worked great. You do have to use the USB cable to properly setup the printer and get it onto your network. But, once the printer is setup you can put the cable in a drawer.

The instructions are very good. They cover how to connect the printer with both Windows and Mac. The instructions also show how to connect the printer as a standard USB printer, however, this would defeat the point of buying a Wifi printer.

The printer prints fairly fast, for an inkjet. Some people are tagging this as an "all-in-one" printer. It is not. It does not fax or scan. But then, it never said that it does!