Lexmark Rolls Out New Fall Product Lineup, New Touch-Screen Printer
October 6, 2009 - In an on-line Web meeting with analysts and journalists on October 1st, Lexmark International launched its next-generation laser office-imaging lineup, which spans the gamut from the new departmental X860 MFP, to a new desktop color printer. But the star of the show was a new printer equipped with Lexmark's e-Task color touch screen, the T656dne, which the company says is the first of its kind, and brings workflow capability and customized applications to the standalone printer.
Touch-Screen Office Printer
Why a touch screen on an office printer? Aren't touch screens only useful when there's copy, scan and/or fax provided? The answer is both yes and no. With the T656dne, the touch screen makes it easier to access stored documents, as well as well as access custom applications.
Lexmark's new T656dne touch-screen printer.
Lexmark's touch-screen-equipped monochrome T656dne printer is different in nature and provides more functionality (with a higher price tag of course). The T656dne uses a 7" color e-Task touch screen that is based on the same e-Task touch screen that is used Lexmark MFPs and is nearly identical in looks. As with the MFPs' e-Task touch screen, the T656dne touch screen is icon-driven and very easy to navigate. In testing, Wirth Consulting has found Lexmark's e-Task touch screen to be among the easiest-to-use touch screens in the industry.
Lexmark itself calls the touch-screen-equipped T656dne a "bridge between our single- and multifunction lineup...it's really a hybrid." The touch screen's home screen displays four icons for these functions: Language, Eco-Settings, Showroom, Change Background, and Forms and Functions.
- Language icon - When selected, users can choose the language to be displayed (English, Spanish, etc.).
- Eco-Settings icon – When selected, multiple settings that can benefit the environment, such as automatic duplexing and energy consumption (including screen brightness) are activated by the press of a single key.
- Showroom icon - When selected, this icon displays up-to-date information on available optional applications that have been developed using Lexmark's Embedded Solutions Framework open-development platform.
- Change Background - Users can change the background display that is presented when the printer is idle. For instance, a company may wish to display its corporate logo, or use the background as a bulletin board that provides reminders to users and employees.
- Forms and Functions - This function may be configured so that users can view, select and print files that have been stored in hard-drive memory. These files might typically consist of expense forms, loan-application forms, etc. It may also be set up so that users can access Web content. For instance, a "Weather" icon may be set up so that when pressed, current local weather conditions obtained from a Web site are printed.
The T656dne touch-screen home page. The touch screen may also be customized to display icons for different custom applications.
The Forms and Functions feature could be particularly useful in several vertical industries:
- In the hospitality industry, the printer can be used as an all-purpose kiosk and configured so that users can access and print tickets, schedules, rental contracts, maps, etc.
- In the financial-services industry, an obvious application is for accessing stored loan-application forms. Lexmark says it can also be customized so that forms are filled-out, requiring only signatures.
- The company pointed out an interesting use for the healthcare industry. The system may be set up so that critical patient files are automatically downloaded to the T656dne’s hard drive every 15 minutes. This would enable users to maintain access to patient records even if the "network is down" and patient records on the network can't be accessed.
- In the manufacturing/distribution sector, the system can be configured to replace time clocks. Instead, users could "punch in" at the printer, and when they do, a list of their tasks for the day, or a delivery-route map, is automatically printed.
With Forms and Functions capability and Lexmark's Embedded Solutions Framework open-development platform, developers can create many custom applications (the touch screen icons noted above may also be replaced with icons for accessing these new custom applications).
This screen is accessed by pressing the Forms and Function icon. Here users can access forms accessed in hard-drive memory, as well as access Web content. With the Time Card application, users "punch in" (instead of using a traditional time clock to punch in), and a list of tasks, delivery routes, etc. is automatically printed.
Pre-defined applications that use the Embedded Solutions framework are available from Lexmark’s Professional Services team or from a certified solutions partner and include:
- Print Release - Users can launch a print job and print it with any connected color printer. The job is not printed until the user enters their pre-set pass code at the printer. This is useful, for instance, when the user would like to print a file in color.
- With eDAS (Embedded Document Accounting Solution), administrators can allocate expenses across various divisions, and monitor the activity of each device (the latter of which can help administrators make sure devices are being appropriately used--for instance, low-volume color devices should only be used in workgroups with color-printing needs.
- With USB2E-mail, users may download files stored on a USB memory card (via the USB memory card), and then e-mail them.
The T656dne is based on Lexmark's existing T654dn print engine, but adds the 7” color e-Task interface, a standard hard drive, Gigabit Ethernet network interface, and a new one-year on-site warranty, as well as an optional integrated card reader. This card reader reads plastic ID cards, and can be used to limit access to the system, as well as for account billing and tracking.
The T656dne, which has an estimated street price of $1,999, is positioned at the high end of Lexmark's A4 laser-printer lineup.
Rated print speed is up to 55 ppm and the printer's equipped with a standard Gigabit Ethernet network interface; PCL 6 and PostScript print drivers; 600 MHz CPU; 256 MB of memory (expandable to 1.28 GB); and MarkVision Professional network management. Maximum monthly volume is 275,000 pages.
Media handling includes standard automatic duplexing and 650-sheet paper capacity that may be expanded to 4,300 sheets.
An Extra High Yield Return Program Toner Cartridge is rated to yield 36,000 pages and is priced at $455.99 for a cost per page of $0.0127. The printer ships with a 10,000-page yield starter toner cartridge. Also new is a one-year, on-site warranty.
Departmental X860 MFP Series
When presenting details on its new A3 X860 monochrome MFP family, Lexmark noted that while A4 MFPs are becoming increasingly popular, Lexmark customers report that still have an occasional need to print on A3-size media. They also report that they require advanced document-finishing capabilities, including document hole-punching and stapling.
The X860 series replaces Lexmark's previous X850 series. New features include a new color 9" e-TASK touch screen (that may be customized for faster access to frequent setting workflows), new system architecture and a faster processor (800 MHz).
The new X860 models--which Lexmark bills as a "complete A3 solution for large departmental needs" --incorporate Lexmark's Embedded Solutions Framework open-development platform, which, in MFPs, can be used for tasks such as automating scan-and-distribute workflows.
Common specifications are as follows:
- Print - 800 MHz CPU, USB convenience port (print from and scan to USB memory cards), and 80-GB hard drive
- Media handling - 75-page duplexing automatic document feeder, A3 flatbed scanner, automatic duplexing, and optional document finishing and paper sources. Paper-input options consist of 1,000-sheet and 2,000-sheet paper sources and a 2,000-sheet High Capacity Feeder. There's a 3,500-sheet finisher (stapling, and 2/3-document hole-punching), and Booklet Finisher (adds saddle-stitch booklet-making).
- Color scan to e-mail, USB memory cards, and network folders.
- MarkVision Professional network-management software.
- Lexmark’s MyMFP feature enables users to save and then re-access their personal settings on a flash-memory drive. Users can store local address books, individual copy settings, and a custom touch-screen configuration on their flash drive. When they insert their flash drive, these settings and options are then displayed on the touch screen.
- All systems ship with a 35,000-page-yield starter toner cartridge.
- With Remote Color Copy, users can scan a document in color, and then print them on a Lexmark color device.
Lexmark's new X860 MFP Series.
Lexmark is marketing three basic configurations. The configurations differ only by rated print speed, price, maximum monthly volume, and standard paper capacity:
X860 de
Rated print speed is up 35 ppm, and standard paper capacity is 1,100 sheets.
The X860de 3 (print/copy/scan) lists at $5,989, while the X860de 4 (print/copy/scan/fax) lists at $6,279. Maximum monthly volume is 150,000 pages.
X862 dte
Rated print speed is up to 45 ppm, and standard paper capacity is 2,100 sheets.
The X862dte 3 (print/copy/scan) lists at $8,249, while the X862dte 4 (print/copy/scan/fax) lists at $8,549. Maximum monthly volume is 200,000 pages.
X864 dhe
Rated print speed is up to 55 ppm, and standard paper capacity is 3,100 sheets.
The X864dhe 3 (print/copy/scan) lists at $10,799, while the X864dhe 4 (print/copy/scan/fax) lists at $11,099. Maximum monthly volume is 300,000 pages.
Consumables
As noted the MFPs ship with a 35,000-page-yield toner cartridge. The systems' consumables also include a photoconductor. There are three different photoconductors for each model:
- The X860 photoconductor yields 48,000 pages;
- The X862 photoconductor yields 60,000 pages;
- The X864 photoconductor yields 70,000 pages.
Each photoconductor is priced at $125.
The toner cartridge yields 35,000 pages and is priced at $155.00 for a toner cost per page of $ 0.0044.
Total consumables' cost per page (including toner and photoconductor) is $0.0070, $0.0065, and $0.0062 for the X860, X862 and X864 respectively.
A new one-year, on-site, next-business day warranty is included. The optional integrated card reader that reads plastic ID cards is also available.
The C546dtn Color Laser Printer
The A4 C546dtn has an estimated street price of $699, and is rated at up to 25 ppm in both B/W and color. It's based on Lexmark's existing C544dtn and replaces it.
New enhancements versus the C544dtn include:
- The 500 MHz CPU features five-percent faster CPU processing speed. The controller also features greater standard memory (256 MB).
- Automatic duplexing is now standard.
- New starter toner cartridges (that ship with the printer) provide a higher page yield. The company rates page yield for the starter black cartridge at 4,000 pages, and each starter color cartridge (cyan, yellow, magenta) is also rated to yield 4,000 pages.
- A third 550-sheet paper drawer is new, and brings maximum paper capacity to a greater 1,450 sheets.
- An optional swivel cabinet is also new (and is also available for the other new printers just introduced). It turns the printer into a floor-standing system, and can be used to store toner cartridges, paper, etc. Street price for the swivel cabinet is $249.
- Recommended monthly is a greater 1,000 to 4,000 pages. Maximum monthly volume is 55,000 pages.
- Also new is a one-year, on-site warranty.
- The C546dn also incorporates new packaging with reduced material usage.
Other specifications for the C546dtn are as follows: 10/100Base-TX Ethernet network interface; PCL 6 and PostScript 3 print drivers (as well as direct printing of Adobe PDF and Microsoft XPS files); standard 900-sheet paper capacity; and front-located USB convenience port for printing files stored on USB memory cards. The USB port is also PictBridge-compatible for printing photos downloaded from PictBridge-compatible digital cameras.
A new Extra High Yield black Return Program cartridge is rated to yield 8,000 pages. Each Extra High Yield color cartridge yields 4,000 pages. Also required is a black imaging unit ($179.99) or a black and color imaging unit ($249.99). Each imaging unit yields 30,0
00 pages. Total consumables' cost per page is $0.0239 for black and $0.1305 for color using Extra High Yield Return Program toner cartridges.
Rewards Program
Lexmark also said that it's extending it Rewards Program to the C546dtn. The existing Rewards Program is distinct from the existing Return Program.
- Under the Return Program, cartridges are sold at a discount. In exchange, the customer agrees to use the cartridge only once, and returns it only to Lexmark for remanufacturing or recycling.
- Under the Rewards Program, customers receive a free cartridge after submitting cartridges to Lexmark for recycling or reuse.
Customers can participate in both the Rewards and Return Programs.
Under the Rewards Program:
- The customer registers their C546dtn printer at Lexmark's Web site. They earn two free return credits to begin, just for signing up for the program.
- The four (CYMK) toner cartridges shipped with the printer count for recycling credit.
- After returning 10 toner cartridges, the customer receives a free highest-yield black or color toner cartridge.
Under both the Rewards and Return Programs, Lexmark puts consumables' cost per page at $0.0162 for black output, and at $0.0944 for color output. This takes into account both the discounted Return Program toner cartridges and free toner cartridges received under the Rewards Program. It is not a fixed cost per page.
The Rewards Program applies to the the C546dtn as well as the to the X546dtn (see below), the latter of which is the MFP version of the printer.
X546dtn Color Laser MFP As noted, the X546dtn is the MFP version of the C546dtn, and adds color copy, color network scan, color Super Group 3 fax, 50-sheet duplexing automatic document feeder, and A4 flatbed scanner. Estimated street price is $999 and the system is built on the X544dtn's platform. New enhancements versus the X544dtn include:
- Scan to file transfer protocol (FTP) sites.
- Greater memory (256 MB).
- A new 550-sheet paper drawer that brings maximum paper capacity to 1,450 sheets.
- The new optional swivel cabinet.
- Greater recommended monthly volume of from 1,000 to 4,000 pages.
- New packaging with reduced material usage
Consumables and cost per page are the same as with the C546dtn.
E462dtn Monochrome Laser Printer
This 40-ppm monochrome desktop laser printer features a new 7,000-page-yield starter toner cartridge. Lexmark says it incorporates workgroup-level firmware in a small package (15.9" x 14.1" x 13.7"), and it's positioned in the middle of Lexmark's monochrome laser-printer lineup. Estimated street price is $749. The system is based on the E460, and includes these enhancements:
- Automatic duplexing is standard.
- Ethernet networking is standard.
- New instant warm-up fuser for faster First Page Out Times (FPOTs).
- 466 MHz CPU.
- A new additional paper drawer increases standard paper capacity to 550 sheets.
- Lower cost per page with Lexmark's Extra High Yield Toner cartridges, which yield up to 18,000 pages. With the Extra High Yield cartridge and $26.99 photoconductor rated to yield 30,000 pages, cost per page is $0.0173.
Recommended monthly volume is 2,000 to 10,000 pages, while maximum monthly volume is 80,000 pages.
More Intelligent Office Imaging
Lexmark has long focused on developing office-imaging solutions for vertical markets such as healthcare, education, financial services and manufacturing/distribution, and its new T656dne printer and X860 series represent a natural evolution of this strategy. At the same time, Lexmark MFPs and printers also traditionally provide some of the broadest operating-system support in the industry (from Microsoft Windows, to Apple Macintosh, to Linux, Citrix MetaFrame, to IBM legacy systems such as AS/400 mainframes), as well as a broad range of security protocols, including SSL, SNMPv3, IPv6, etc.
The T656dne printer and X860 series, along with Lexmark's Embedded Solutions Platform, also clearly represent the company's commitment to custom workflows and applications. These custom workflows help streamline often cumbersome tasks (for instance, remembering which scan settings to use and which network folder to send to for a scan-and-distribute task). They also enable imaging systems to become document depositories; when a user needs to print a certain file, they can skip the steps of locating it on the network and launching a print driver, but can simply access and print it from the device itself.
In this way, office-imaging equipment becomes more than just print-copy-scan devices, but partners that help users complete everyday tasks faster, easier and much more accurately--in short, more intelligent systems. While vendors do still compete somewhat on "speeds and feeds," and print and copier productivity will always be important, in the office workspace, more intelligent systems such as Lexmark's offerings, are clearly the future.