Review: Lexmark X3480 All-in-One multifunction device

With 14 products in Lexmark’s range of all-in-one inkjets, trying to work out what's what can get a little confusing, especially as the X3480 shares nearly the same physical design and specification as four others in the range.

What sets the X3480 apart from its lower cost stablemates is a single-line, 16-character backlit LCD panel, which benefits multifunction devices far more than single-function printers.

Designed to be used away from the computer, as well as when connected over USB, the X3480 communicates in plain English rather than using baffling sequences of flashing lights. You can select options and alter settings directly from the built-in menu.

Using a single ink cartridge makes the X3480 easy to set up and operate – an advantage that Lexmark is quick to emphasise.

It certainly is quick and uncomplicated, but while it makes things simpler it can also cause you to waste a lot of unused ink when one colour runs out before the rest.

It’s reasonably good at photo prints, but because the three-colour ink cartridge contains no black ink, there are some visible compromises in quality when compared with more expensive printers.

This is also evident when printing black text, which is achieved by combining colour ink rather than using a deeper, pure black.

The single cartridge design also means it’s as fast printing in colour as it is in monochrome, although with a draft speed of up to 17ppm (pages per minute) and standard quality printing at up to 5ppm, there are faster multifunction printers in this price bracket.

Installation of the X3480 didn't cause any problems. The drivers and Lexmark’s bundle of software all install in one go, automatically searching your hard drive for suitable applications for the Scan-to-PC function that's available from the printer’s front panel.

Of course, you can also initiate scanning and copying from the PC, and Lexmark’s software makes it all simple by offering a menu of creative tasks, such as emailing images, enlarging and reducing images, running OCR (optical character recognition) or using your PC’s modem to send faxes directly from the scanner.

The new web toolbar makes it easy to print from web pages without text getting cut off at the edges and optionally omitting unwanted ads.

Troubleshooting and maintenance assistance is provided by Lexmark’s Solution Center, which has plenty of advanced configuration options, including the ability to turn off the rather annoying voice notification system that’s enabled by default.

The front-facing Pictbridge port allows direct printing from a compatible digital camera and two memory card slots support five different formats.

Printing directly from memory cards is made easy by printing a contact sheet, which you mark up by hand and then scan to obtain your selected prints automatically.

Although the X3480 costs £20 more than the similar X2470, we feel its improved control panel is well worth the extra money for the improved ease of use it provides.

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