Lexmark Z715 Ink Cartridges

Lexmark Z715 Printer Review

The Lexmark Z715 is an inkjet device that specializes in printing photos, but can also handle personal jobs such as text for school papers or graphics for presentations. Due to its lackluster output speeds of around 17 pages per minute for monochrome documents and 10 pages per minute for color, the Z715 is intended to handle occasional small jobs. Just because it is simple and can only handle low volumes doesn't mean the device isn't worth a look, however, as it offers an easy-to-use design that can print sharp output for a low price.

Users will need to place the Z715 in close proximity to their computer since its sole connection option is a wired USB port. As it is a dedicated photo printer, it would have been nice if the device incorporated a computer-free connectivity option like memory card slots or a PictBridge-compatible port. The device also lacks a color LCD, which is a standard photo-centric feature in higher-end models that provides access to popular functions and editing tools. Instead, the unit's simple control panel includes a button to power the device on and off and an alert LED to notify of a print error.

The Z715's compact design of 17x9x6 inches makes it a good fit for desktop printing, but one of the reasons it is able to be so small is its limited media handling features. The device provides a single 100-sheet input tray that can handle a maximum paper size of 8.5x17 inches and a minimum paper size of 4x6 inches. Supported paper types include coated paper, card stock, glossy photo paper, labels and banner media.

The device excels when printing photos, which have a sharp output, precise detail and a satisfactory maximum resolution of 4800x1200 dpi using color Lexmark Z715 printer ink. Users will also be able to print important text documents with crisp characters and a decent resolution of 2400x1200 dpi.

The machine packages cyan, magenta and yellow printer ink into one supply to save money, while the black Lexmark Z715 ink cartridge is separated. The tricolor supply has a low yield of only around 275 pages and the black Lexmark Z715 ink cartridge can last approximately 410 pages, which will make printing expensive for users with frequent jobs.

The Z715 is considered an entry-level device because it offers one of the more basic packages of features seen among comparable single-function printers. Users that would rather opt for a device with a low upfront cost and solid output quality over one with flexible connectivity and ample control tools will benefit from this inkjet printer.