These new models, the Lexmark C730 Series, are part of an overall upgrade in Lexmark’s whole printer and printer-multifunctional line with a comprehensive new design that offers both obvious and subtle improvements.

The C734 models run at 30ppm in both black-and-white and color, while the C736 models run at 35ppm in both. These are far faster than most comparably priced color printers. And they add some very nice new features that go beyond earlier generations of Lexmark machines.

The members of the C734 family are:

• The C734n, which offers standard Ethernet ($699).
• The C734dn, which adds automatic duplexing ($899).
• The C734dw, which adds Wi-Fi connectivity ($999).
• The C734dtn, which adds a 550-sheet paper drawer to the C734dn configuration ($1,149).

The C736 family consists of:

• The C736n, which offers standard Ethernet ($899).
• The C736dn, which adds automatic duplexing ($1,149).
• The C736dtn, which adds a 550-sheet paper drawer ($1,399).

All of these models are network-ready out of the box. USB connectivity is also standard for all models, and Wi-Fi is optional on all of the C734 and C736 models but the C734dw, where it is standard. Lexmark also offers serial, parallel, IPDS, and gigabit Ethernet options. There are options for barcoding and forms storage as well.

All models print at true resolutions up to 1,200 dpi. Likewise, all models start with 256MB of memory that you can upgrade to 1,280MB, and all have an optional 80GB hard disk drive. There’s a standard USB port for flash drives, so you can print directly from the flash drive. There’s also a PictBridge port. PostScript and PCL are standard. PDF, TIFF, JPEG, and XPS files can also be output.

The C734 models are powered by a 600MHz processor. First-page-out time is under 9.5 seconds, and under 12 second when in Power Saver mode. The monthly duty cycle is 85,000 pages, with a recommended range between 1,500 and 9,200 pages.

The C736 models come with a 900MHz processor. First-page-out time is a bit faster at 9 seconds, and has the same under 12 seconds speed in Power Saver mode. The monthly duty cycle is also 85,000 pages, but with a recommended range between 2,500 and 10,000 pages.

Paper handling is also solid. For all models (except the dtn ones), you start with a 550-sheet drawer and a 100-sheet bypass. The dtn models have two 550-sheet drawers. But you have the option of adding far more. With the C734 models you can add up to three more 550-sheet drawers. You can also add a 2,000-sheet stacker (which replaces one of the drawers). The C736 family is the same, but you can add one additional 550-sheet drawer beyond the C734 family. You can place the whole printer stack on a roll-away caster.

The C730 Series also allows for printing banner paper, up to 36″ on the C734 models and up to 48″ on the C736 models. In a nice design touch, automatic duplexing (standard on all but the n models) is built into the machine and adds no extra height to the stack.

Standard output is 300 sheets. That is the one weak point in these models: with an enormous wealth of input capacity, you’ll still have to empty the output tray frequently.

In terms of ergonomic features, Lexmark has upgraded the handles on the paper drawers, making them easier to manipulate. The 4-line backlit LCD panel is tiltable for easier access and features an animated help display. Lexmark has also reduced noise levels and offers a (somewhat slower) Quiet Mode with low decibel levels along with an already quiet idle mode. Firmware can be upgraded by a service tech using the USB flash interface.

Lexmark has reduced energy consumption on these models, in part due to the Instant Warm Up fuser that allows for fast recovery from Power Saver mode. Lexmark also notes that it has reduced excess packaging, has a comprehensive Return Program, and offers longer-life supplies than comparable competitive models.

Supplies for the C734 models consist of a set of four photoconductors and four toner cartridges. The black cartridge is rated for 8,000 pages, while the color cartridges are rated at 6,000 pages. The cost per page is 2.3¢ for black, which is very good in this market segment, and 12.9¢ in color, a bit on the high side. For the C736 family, you have the option of high-capacity toner cartridges: 12,000 pages for black and 10,000 pages for color. That ends up costing 2.2¢ in black and 12.1¢ in color.

Given all the features, it’s hard to imagine that these printers are just in the middle of the Lexmark color printer lineup and that most of the models cost under $1,000. The inclusion of PostScript is significant in this market segment, their speed is impressive, and the inclusion of duplexing on most of the models is notable. All of this earns them our Editor’s Choice Award.

Sum-up: Lexmark’s feature-laden color printers, aimed at small-to-midsize workgroups.

Earlier this year, Kyocera introduced its FS-C5200DN and FS-C5300DN color laser printers. Then, it added two new members of the same series, the FS-C5100DN and FS-C5400DN. Finally, it came out with the FS-C5350DN. All five models run at the same speed in color as in black-and-white. For the FS-C5100DN ($942) and FS-C5200DN ($1,424), the print speed is at 23ppm. For the FS-C5300DN ($1,739), it is 28ppm; the FS-C5350DN ($1,983) runs at 32ppm; and the FS-C5400DN ($2,593) has a speed of 37ppm. The two 23ppm models differ in terms of paper capacity and duty cycle.
As the DN suffix indicates, these models are Ethernet-ready and have standard automatic duplexing. PostScript and PCL are standard, and PDF and XPS files can be printed directly. All those features indicate that these are serious workgroup machines.

The processor runs at 533MHz on the FS-C5100DN and FS-C5200DN models. On the FS-C5300DN, it runs at 667MHz; 600MHz on the FS-C5350DN; and on the FS-C5400DN, it is 733MHz. Memory starts at 256MB, and it can be increased to a total of 1,280MB. A 40GB hard disk is optionally available on the FS-C5300DN, FS-C5350DN, and FS-C5400DN for $336. Aside from Ethernet, there is a standard USB port, as well as a USB port that can be used for printing from flash drives.

These models have respectable paper-handling capabilities. They support letter- and legal-size output. All models feature a standard 150-sheet multipurpose tray. The FS-C5100DN comes with a 250-sheet main tray, while the others have a standard 500-sheet paper tray. On the FS-C5100DN, you can add two 500-sheet trays for a maximum of 1,400 sheets. On the FS-C5200DN and FS-C5300DN, you can add up to three 500-sheet trays for a total of 2,150 sheets, while on the FS-C5350DN and FS-C5400DN, you can add a fourth 500-sheet tray. The multipurpose tray holds stock up to 120lb. index, while the other tray holds paper up to 28lb. bond in weight. Automatic duplexing, as noted above, is standard on all models.
Kyocera gives you a choice between two slightly different 500-sheet add-on paper drawers: one is called a “Multipurpose Feeder” ($399, each) and can handle card stock up to 120lb. index, labels, and coated stock. The other drawer type ($299, each) handles stock up to 28lb. bond. You can mix and match both drawer types.
On the output side, there is a 250-sheet tray, expanded to 500 sheets on the FS-C5400DN. We think that’s too little given the input capacity, but it’s typical in the industry.

Kyocera products typically feature impressive consumables costs, and these machines are no exceptions. These machines have four toner cartridges and a drum to replace. The black-and-white cost per page is very good for a color printer. For the FS-C5200DN, its cost runs at 1.8¢, while it costs around 2.1¢ for the FS-C5100DN. Cost per black-and-white page is around 1.3¢ on the FS-C5300DN, FS-C5350DN, and FS-C5400DN. Those costs would be very good for black-and-white-only printers, but among color printers, it’s extraordinary.

The color per-page costs are even better. While for the FS-C5100DN, color costs 12.7¢, it comes in at a little over 7¢ a page for the FS-C5200DN. The figure is around 5.8¢ for the FS-C5300DN and FS-C5350DN and 5.4¢ on the FS-C5400DN. At almost half the industry average for desktop color printing cost, that alone makes these printers standouts.

Like many Kyocera printers, these have a relatively high initial cost. But if you print a lot of pages, the value of the low cost per page will make a major difference. The official duty cycle given by Kyocera in two forms, the maximum and a range for recommended monthly use is:

• For the FS-C5100DN, 60,000 pages maximum, 1,000 to 5,000 recommended
• For the FS-C5200DN, 100,000 pages maximum, 2,000 to 7,500 recommended
• For the FS-C5300DN, 130,000 pages maximum, 2,500 to 10,000 recommended
• For the FS-C5350DN, 140,000 pages maximum, 2,500 to 10,000 recommended
• For the FS-C5400DN, 150,000 pages maximum, 3,000 to 30,000 recommended

Kyocera can provide accounting and remote administration utilities as well. It also boasts of excellent green credentials, thanks to the minimization of waste through high-capacity consumables.

If you plan to use the printer up to those volumes, and you need inexpensive black printing as much as color printing, these are great bets. Kyocera is usually the leader in total cost of operation, and these printers follow in the same tradition. We believe that these are very solid small to midsize workgroup printers, and they get our Editor’s Choice Award.

Sum-up: Outstanding per-page costs make these models stand out.

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