Lexmark C534dn

Lexmark color lasers have a good track record in earning Editors Choice nods, so I was looking forward to getting my hands on the Lexmark C534dn ($999 direct). Sure enough, it lives up to expectations, delivering great-looking output at high speed. Even better, it offers the right paper-handling features for its target market of small offices or workgroups, including built-in duplexing, a standard 250-sheet paper drawer, a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, and a 550-sheet paper tray option ($299 direct) for a maximum 900 sheets. And, yes (so you dont have to skip to the end to find out), its good enough to earn an Editors Choice.

The C534dn is one of six new related color lasers at prices ranging from $499 to $1,299 (direct)—the others are the C530dn, C532n, C532dn, C534n, and C534dtn. Lexmark says all of these are variations on a theme, built around the same engine thats rated at 24 pages per minute for monochrome printing and 22 ppm for color.

The differences between the models lie mainly in cost per page (based on the toner cartridges available for each) and some additional features in the more expensive models, such as secure printing, with the printer holding a job in memory until you punch in a PIN code on a front-panel keypad. The claimed cost per page ranges from a high of 2.6 cents for black and 14.5 cents for color (for the C530dn) to a low of 1.9 cents for black and 9.6 cents for color (for the C534 versions).

At 19 by 17.3 by 16.1 inches (HWD) and 59 pounds, the C534dns size and weight are typical for those of printers in this category. Youll probably want at least two people to take it out of its box and move it into place. Setup is typical, too: Remove the packing materials, load paper, connect the power cord and cable, and run the automated installation routine.

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