The 24-ppm Optra N 245 was tops in our speed tests, though its very
good print quality trailed in a tightly clustered field. The
network-friendly printer supports a variety of paper sizes and has a
3100-sheet paper-input capacity. Lexmark's MarkVision management
software gives users easy access to printer functions while they sit
at their desktop systems. Lexmark's workgroup printer also finishes
near the top in the Best for Macintosh category.
Weighting:
Price 5%
Technology 5%
Features 14%
Performance 43%
Usability 14%
Quality 19%
Ratings
Price Tech-
Imple- Perfor- Fea- Usa- Battery
OVERALL
nology menta- mance tures bility
RATING
tion
Lexmark Optra $4199 **** **** ***** **** **** **** ****
N 245
HP LaserJet $4899 **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
5SiMX
QMS 2425Ex $6999 **** **** *** **** ***** **** ****
Print System
Xerox DocuPrint $3300 **** **** ** ***** **** **** ***
4517
IBM Network $1999 **** ***** ** **** **** **** ***
Printer 17
Apple Laser- $2429 **** *** *** **** *** *** ***
Writer 16/600
Key
***** Outstanding
**** Very Good
*** Good
** Fair
* Poor
The Xerox DocuPrint 4517 produces the best print quality of all the
p
rinters in our roundup. The 600- by 600-dpi printer incorporates
DP-Tek's TrueRes edge-enhancement technology to sharpen the edges of
letters and offers 141 gray-scale levels to tighten up halftones.
Though small, the 17-ppm DocuPrint 4517 can hold 1350 sheets of paper
if you add two optional 500-sheet decks. An optional 125-MB hard disk
stores forms, fonts, and logos for merging with documents prior to
printing.
Weighting:
Price 5%
Technology 5%
Features 14%
Usability 14%
Quality 48%
Performance 14%
Ratings
Price Tech- Imple- Perfor- Fea- Usa- Battery
OVERALL
nology menta- mance tures bility
RATING
tion
Xerox DocuPrint $3300 **** **** ** ***** **** **** ****
4517
Lexmark Optra $4199 **** **** ***** **** **** **** ****
N 245
QMS 2425Ex $69
99 **** **** *** **** ***** **** ****
Print System
HP LaserJet $4899 **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
5SiMX
IBM Network $1999 **** ***** ** **** **** **** ****
Printer 17
Apple Laser- $2429 **** *** *** **** *** *** ****
Writer 16/600
Key
***** Outstanding
**** Very Good
*** Good
** Fair
* Poor
The 24-ppm QMS 2425Ex Print System edges out Lexmark's Optra N 245 as
the best printer for Macintosh users. The 2425Ex Print System is
pricier than the other printers, but it comes with 24 MB of RAM and a
256-MB internal hard disk. Capable of 1200- by 1200-dpi enhanced
resolution, the printer comes with a standard Ethernet interface and
supports a wide range of paper-handling options including a
2000-sheet input tray, a duplex unit, a 2000-sheet stacker
/stapler,
and a 100-envelope feeder.
Weighting:
Price 5%
Technology 5%
Features 14%
Performance 43%
Usability 14%
Quality 19%
Ratings
Price Tech- Imple- Perfor- Fea- Usa- Battery
OVERALL
nology menta- mance tures bility
RATING
tion
QMS 2425Ex $6999 **** **** ***** **** ***** **** ****
Print System
Lexmark Optra $4199 **** **** ***** **** **** **** ****
N 245
HP LaserJet $4899 **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
5SiMX
IBM Network $1999 **** ***** *** **** **** **** ****
Printer 17
Xerox DocuPrint $3300 **** **** *** ***** **** **** ****
4517
Apple Laser- $2429 **** *** *** **** *** *** ***
Writer 16/600
Key
***** Outstanding
**** Very Good
*** Good
** Fair
* Poor
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Workgroup Printer Ratings
