An Overview Of The Lexmark Optra E321 Printer

This model has good resolution, 600 to 1200 dpi and has 8MB of memory. It retails for just under $300, making it a reasonable choice for the home office or college student. The Lexmark toner cartridges are also inexpensive. The main drawback mentioned in a number of online user and professional reviews is the noise this printer makes when pumping out documents.

On the positive side, the E321 has a nice look for a printer. Unlike the typical white or off-white models, this printer is gray, a change for the better. It is great for small places, like a dormitory or tucked in a small home office and weighs only 20 pounds, so it is easy to move around.

There are some inherent design issues in the manufacturing of this printer and this is where the noise issues become apparent. When turning the unit on, the first thing many users noticed was how the buttons on the control panel are loose and rattle when the machine is in use. While on, the E321 has a continuous low-pitched hum, which may not be an issue for some, but is for others. When engaging in printing, the machine makes a noise that has been described by some as a whine as it ramps up, and then again, when it winds down.

The Lexmark Optra E321 printer possesses the average paper capacity that most small printers do, which is 150 pieces of paper. The holding tray can only hold 100 of these pages, though, so consumers should make sure to remove at least fifty pages after they print them if they plan to print all 150 pages in one sitting. This printer also has additional output tray materials that help with the kind of papers that differ from the norm.

Since this model is an upgrade, it is an improvement upon something. With the amount of memory this machine holds, it can accomplish relatively big printing jobs. But, if the 8MB seems like it is on the small side, a consumer can always upgrade to the 72MB memory that Lexmark very smartly provides.

Twenty pages a minute is a good rate for a home printer, even for impatient students doing homework at the last minute. Once the printer is fired up, page one appears within 10 seconds. The standard toner does 3000 pages with five percent coverage and Lexmark does offer a higher yielding cartridge that fits this model of printer.

Another bonus feature of the Lexmark Optra E321 Printer is that it is both Mac and Windows compatible, something that is rare among budget printers. The Lexmark Optra E321 cartridge are efficient and cost effective and are not shipped installed in the printer so that there are no unpleasant spillage surprises when opening the box. For just about $300, it is worth putting up with a little bit of printer hum in exchange for speed and reliability, especially with the quality one can rely on with Lexmark compatible toners. Shop online for extra toners and cartridges to find good deals.