Lexmark 3100 Ink Cartridges

Lexmark 3100 Printer Review

The Lexmark 3100 is a multifunction inkjet device that is primarily geared to print monochrome and color documents, but can also handle occasional copy and scan jobs. The machine is intended for light-duty needs since it prints at slow speeds of only 6 pages per minute for monochrome jobs and around 3 pages per minute for color. While not the quickest in its class of personal printers, the 3100 is one of the most affordable and offers a simple bundle of features that will enable users to consistently print quality text, graphic and photo projects.

For such an inexpensive entry-level device it is surprising that the 3100 goes so far as to include a 25-sheet automatic document feeder, which can quickly feed pages to be scanned without a user's assistance. The build also includes a simple front control panel with a handful of buttons that will turn the device on or off, start the scanning process and enable users to select between color and monochrome copying.

The 3100's only media input tray can hold up to 100 pages of plain paper, 25 pages of card stock or 50 pages of glossy photo paper. With its flatbed scanning surface, the machine is able to support thicker media and a maximum paper size of 8.5x14 inches.

Located on the front of the device are two media card slots that can support direct photo printing from Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Compact Flash and SD cards. Users can also connect the device straight to their computer through its rear USB port.

The unit can print projects from school papers to family scrapbook photos with sharp detail and a crisp resolution of 1200x1200 dpi using Lexmark 3100 printer ink. Users will be able to track a document's progress as it prints, as well receive alerts, error messages and troubleshooting advice all from their computer.

The unit operates with one tricolor Lexmark 3100 ink cartridge that can yield up to 275 pages and one black supply with a maximum capacity of 410 pages. Running costs should be relatively low, especially if users opt to replace supplies with affordable remanufactured Lexmark 3100 printer ink cartridges.

There are a decent number of features provided with the 3100 despite its low price tag, including flexible connectivity for photo printing and an automatic document feeder. This inkjet machine could have benefited from a more versatile control panel and quicker speeds, but it should support low-volume personal use without any major issues.