The Lexmark Company offers quite competitive and reliable devices. That time we got to test Lexmark x203n, a monochrome laser MFP with network access, a key feature of which is high speed and fast first page out time.

The device features authentic design: there are many rounded panels that make the printer look smaller than it is, yet its size is not too different from that of a customary laser printer. Main material of the casing is white and gray plastic.

There is a paper tray capable of holding 250 sheets that resides in the lower part of the front. The tray has paper size regulators, and accommodates not only A4 and Letter formats, but also the Legal. It must be mentioned that when you insert the Legal media, the tray stands out from the rear wall of the printer for about 55 mm. For convenience, there is a cavity handle in the center front part of the tray. You can also find an auxiliary slot for inserting envelopes and other custom-sized media.

The printer incorporates a plain CIS scanner maximum resolution of 600×600 dpi. This resolution is OK for most everyday tasks. The scanner lid is very lightweight, yet it’s durable and hard to brake. Strictly speaking, the offline mode (printer not connected to a computer) is not available, because USB ports for memory sticks are not provided. Nonetheless, the Lexmark x203n can transmit scanned documents to one or several emails not being coupled with a PC – simply connect it to Internet via local network.

If the printer has not been in used for a while, to start working again, the scanner requires about 4 seconds. An intriguing feature of the MFP was discovered during the tests. It takes only two seconds to start scanning in “b/w” and “grayscale” mode, but eight seconds for the color mode. 15 seconds are required for the pre-scanning procedure.

The Lexmark x203n is very smart, and printing begins in a few seconds after sending the print job. On average, it takes 2.6 seconds to print one page in “draft” and “normal” quality modes, which is, in fact, stated by the manufacturer. When you set the high quality mode, one page is printed, on average, in 5.5 seconds.

In addition to standard quality modes – “Draft 600 dpi”, “normal 1200 IQ” and “high 1200 dpi” – there is also the 2400 IQ (”IQ” is for image quality) mode. In the quality settings, there is also amplification of dots and fine lines. Automatic toner economy mode is not present, but there provided a manual adjustment of the toner density (ten levels). Paper saving mode allows printing of 2, 4, 8 or 16 pages on one sheet. Worth noting is the possibility of separate settings for type and source of paper for the first and last page of the document, as well as front and back covers.

Copy mode is quite simple, although representatives of the manufacturer noted that it is one of the main functions of the device. Of course, only monochrome copying is available. There are numerous copying options available: scaling, format conversion, indication of the size of the original, selection of paper source, activation of paper economy mode, adjustment of intensity, selection of one of three quality modes (text, photo & text, photo), as well as a breakdown of copies. The feature worth noting is the maximum number of copies, 999, whereas most MFPs of such class are limited to 99 copies.

Lexmark x203n MFP was created to be a device for office. Hardly would it fit for home use, in spite of the “home” look and compact size. However, if used in the office, the printer has a big advantage – the high rate of printing and scanning in black-white and grayscale modes. The swift copying is good, too: first copy is ready in 9 seconds, and each following one – in 2.6 seconds.

We can easily name some other features and advantages of the Lexmark x203n: quality printer toner cartridges, additional manual tray, network access. Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages like inconvenient monochrome display, few scan settings and the original Lexmark printer toner cartridges are more expensive compared to the competitors.

Nowhere else is there a need for increased efficiency than within a home-based business. The home-based business requires the owner’s ability to multitask not only the running of the business but also the ability to handle the day-to-day household issues that may arise. In this respect, one does not want to have to do a job three or four times before it finally looks correct. A Lexmark Optra C520 printer, along with Lexmark Optra C520 compatible toner can ensure that every print job comes out looking perfect the first time.

For a home-based business to succeed, it must present an image that rivals larger companies providing the same service. To this end, any printed materials need to look just as professional as those that come directly from a print shop. Envelopes and letterhead particularly, create an impression on potential clients and the more professional that they look, the better the impression that is made. In doing this, the business owner shows the potential client their dedication to making their business work.

There are a variety of other reasons having a professional printer can make a home-based business more efficient. A printer and its accessories, such as toner and paper, are all tax deductions. A Lexmark Optra Printer can also be of great benefit in marketing the business. For example, a home-based jeweler could print and distribute glossy postcards highlighting its beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry creations.

By giving the user the ability to provide full-color pictures, this printer can assist in benefiting the customers in other ways. For instance, those that do work on consignment such as artists or jewelers can provide step-by-step photos of a work in progress to the client. This allows a client to see their product while in production and helps to create a loyal client base by setting up this type of communication.

Business owners such as a marketing consultant, photographer, or graphic designer can benefit even further from the Lexmark Optra. Being able to print quality flyers, brochures, and full-color photographs will go a long way to beating out the competition when bidding for a big job. Not every customer can envision the final product printed on a professional printer. Therefore, it is a huge advantage to be able to print a professional-quality proof at home. The Lexmark compatible toners ensures that print quality will be crisp and clear.

Customers will appreciate this attention to detail and will likely come back for more, time and time again. This customer retention is exactly how a home-based business becomes a large enterprise. The more a business owner invests in the business, the more he or she can expect to get out of it.

Starting a home-based business can be hard but rewarding work. By maintaining the attention to detail from beginning to end, the business owner can create a great reputation in whatever business they may be undertaking. By incorporating top-of-the-line equipment and into a home-based business, one can help to ensure a quality product for the clients.

Initially, it may seem that a Lexmark Optra C520 printer and Lexmark Optra C520 printer toner cartridges may be more than a startup budget will allow. While Lexmark compatible toner is preferred for use with this printer, other manufacturer’s compatible toner will also fit.