Lexmark CS431dw Review

Good: Extra-high-yield aftermarket toner cartridges, ability to print files from the cloud, compact design.
Bad: Not intended for large businesses.
Bottom Line: Single-function color printer for small businesses that don't require advanced features.
Vendor:
Product:
Price:
Intended Users:
Lexmark
CS431dw
$429
Small, Medium
Speed Black:
Speed Color:
Processor:
Memory:
26 ppm
26 ppm
1 GHz
512 MB

Product Overview

The new CS431dw ($429) single-function color printer targets small businesses that need an affordable and efficient device. It prints at up to 26 ppm and comes with a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of memory and a 2.8″ color touchscreen display for monitoring printer status and other information. The monthly duty cycle is 75,000 pages per month, however, the recommended volume is between 750 and 5,000 pages.

PCL and PostScript are standard, as well as USB, Ethernet and wireless connectivity. Mobile printing is supported via the Lexmark Mobile Print app, as well as Mopria and AirPrint. The printer also has built-in cloud connectors, so users can access files from services like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.

More details is in our Features section below.

Features

Paper handling starts with a 250-sheet tray and a single-sheet bypass. Lexmark offers an additional 250-sheet tray as an option. The trays can accept paper from envelopes up to legal-sized (8.5″ x 14″). The maximum paper capacity is 750 sheets.

There’s a 100-sheet output bin. Automatic duplexing is standard.

As with its other devices, the CS431dw uses Lexmark’s Unison Toner. The Unison Toner’s print system has a separate toner, imaging unit and fuser, using a multi-piece architecture design that leads to reduced toner waste and long-life system reliability.

It also prints at up to 1,200 dpi for crisper print quality. And it alerts users when supplies are needed (e.g., low toner warning and number of pages left to print).

Just like it’s done for many years, Lexmark offers its Return Program, which is a loyalty program that provides customers with a free high-yield toner cartridge for every 10 toner cartridges sent back to Lexmark for recycling. It also provides a free imaging kit when needed. Consumable prices under the Return Program tend to be significantly cheaper.

The CS431dw ships with a 1,500-page black cartridge and 1,500-page cyan/yellow/magenta cartridges. Aftermarket toner cartridges is also 1,500 pages for each cartridge. However, there’s the extra-high-yield capacity option of 6,000 pages for the black cartridge and 6,700 pages for each color cartridge.

We’ve calculated the cost per page based on the extra-high-yield capacity toner with the Return Program prices. The cost per page is 2 cents in black and 12.7 cents in color. Companies that don’t participate in the Return Program can expect higher costs for aftermarket toner.

Users can also take advantage of other features to help keep printing costs down, such as sleep mode and duplexing.

The CS431dw include strong security features that’s present on Lexmark’s other devices. Some of those features include confidential print, user authentication, network security and document security.

Finally, there’s a one-year limited warranty.

  • Automatic Document Feeder?
  • Duplexing?
  • Ethernet Connectivity?
  • Wireless Connectivity?
  • Mobile Printing/Scanning?
  • Finishers?

Shortcomings

The CS431dw isn’t intended for larger businesses, and it also doesn’t support ledger-sized printing.

About

Lexmark creates innovative imaging solutions and technologies that help customers worldwide print, secure and manage information with ease, efficiency and unmatched value.

Send feedback or corrections to feedback@betterbuys.com.

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