In June, Lexmark International refreshed its lineup of A4 color laser printers and MFPs and its series of A4 monochrome laser printers and MFPs for large workgroups. 

By our count, the new portfolio includes at least 25 new models: eight color machines (the CS421dn, CS521dn, CS622de, CX421adn, CX522ade, CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe) and 17 new monochrome models across the new MS725, MS820, MX720, and MX820 families (MS725dvn, MX725adve, MS821n, MS821dn, MS822de, MS823n, MS823dn, MS825dn, MS826de, MX721ade, MX721adhe, MX722ade, MX722adhe, MX822ade, MX822adxe, MX826ade, and MX826adxe).

Taken together with Lexmark’s launch of Lexmark’s new midrange A4 monochrome devices, the MS and MX 320, 420, 520, and 620 series, in April (see “Lexmark Updates Entire Midrange Monochrome Laser Portfolio”), this year is easily the biggest for Lexmark in terms of product launches since 2012, which is when Lexmark announced many of the processor models it is now replacing (see “Lexmark Launches Lots of Lasers, Copious Consumables: Part 1—Color” and “Lexmark Launches Lots of Lasers, Copious Consumables: Part 2—Monochrome”). Chris White, director of global business development for Lexmark, stated that over the last 24 months Lexmark has completed a complete product line refresh. Other recent Lexmark introductions include the Lexmark CS920 and CX920 series (see “A Look at Lexmark’s New A3 Color Laser Family”) and the CS720, CS725, CS820, CX820, CX825, and CX860 series (see “Lexmark’s Latest A4 Color Products Offer High Speeds and A3-Like Performance”). With its 2018 introductions specifically, Lexmark says it says it has launched a full range of color and monochrome devices to meet user needs throughout the enterprise. With just the products announced in April and June, Lexmark has refreshed the devices that account for 92 percent of its sales units annually.

Achieving a “completely cohesive print portfolio” was the goal of this massive product update. Lexmark says it wanted to deliver improvements in a few key areas. The devices offer improved performance through the use of “powerful multicore processors,” increased memory levels, the ability to tended complex print jobs and multitask, and consistent firmware and firmware upgrades that “future proof” the devices. Lexmark says that the large e-Task table-like user interface on many of the devices allows for improved ease of use. So does support for a range of mobile printing options. Workers can complete tasks via approved mobile devices with the free Lexmark Mobile Print app. Output is also available via AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, or Windows Mobile. Lexmark also says that every product in the new series includes Lexmark’s award-winning full spectrum security features to help protect documents, devices, and networks from unauthorized access. The use of Lexmark Color Replacement technology on the color models enables accurate printing of specific colors needed in corporate logos or sensitive documents. Lexmark says that for managed print services (MPS) customers, the new devices can be equipped with sensors that capture vital system information to allow for improved service and minimize interventions. Lexmark adds that the devices meet stringent environmental requirements.

New Monochrome Devices

First, we will take a look at the models that make up the higher-end of Lexmark’s A4 monochrome laser portfolio: the MS725 and MS820 series printers and the MX720 and MX820 series MFPs. These machines replace the MS810, MS811, and MS812 series A4 monochrome laser printers and MX710, MX711, MX810, MX811, and MX812 series A4 monochrome laser MFPs from 2012 (see “Lexmark Launches Lots of Lasers, Copious Consumables: Part 2—Monochrome”). The new devices are aimed at large workgroup environments with high print volumes. Lexmark sees the devices as offering benefits in three key areas: simplify management of the devices, enable productivity, and extend the buyer’s investment.

One thing that is immediately apparent is that Lexmark is consolidating the number of models it offers. While the 17 new models Lexmark announced in the MS725, MS820, MX720, and MX820 series is a significant number of new machines, when Lexmark announced the MS810, MS811, MS812, MX710, MX711, MX810, MX811, and MX812 these platforms included a dizzying 42 different models. It seems Lexmark has decided it would be better to reduce the number of models and let buyers configure these devices, if necessary, rather than offering an overwhelming number of configurations in each series.

Leigh Anne Belcher, global product manager for Lexmark, says that the new machines employ a Lexmark-designed engine that “represents the first significant redesign [of this platform] in a number of years.” She explains, “We have re-architected the products to ensure a sustainable mechanical design that will last at least 12 years going forward. The imaging units have been improved and the yields increased. We have added a number of features to the IU to enable a longer life.” According to Ms. Belcher, new technology enabled imaging units that last up to 150,000 pages (versus up to 100,000 pages on the previous series and fusers that last 200,000 or 400,000 pages (depending on SKU) to maximize uptime. Toner cartridge yields have been improved as well. Ms. Belcher explains that the goal was to reduce the rate of intervention and “keep people from having to get inside the device.”

That is all part of the firm’s goal of making its new hardware more reliable and durable—thereby extending the buyer’s investment. Ms. Belcher says another way Lexmark has made the new printers and MFPs more reliable and durable is by moving from plastic to steel frames. She says this not only makes the machines more durable, robust, and reliable and suitable for placement in harsh environments but also leads to improved print quality because the machines jitter less when printing. And the move from plastic to steel frames only added about 3 additional pounds of weight, says Ms. Belcher.

Ms. Belcher explains that because Lexmark saw literally millions of pages printed on some of the predecessor models, it also decided it was important to make the new machine faster and easier to service from a preventative and break/fix perspective. While previously there were two doors, opening in different directions to access the insider of the device, now there is just one door that opens from right to left. This, Ms. Belcher explains, allows the devices to be places in custom cabinetry or smaller spaces where there is little vertical clearance. This is also why long-life consumables and advanced sensors and diagnostics were so important on this class of device.

When asked about other key improvements on the series, Ms. Belcher notes that the new monochrome laser printers all use 1 GHz dual-core processors while the MFPs have 1.2 GHz quad-core processors and include at least 512MB of standard memory for fast printing and efficient multi-tasking. Time to first page out has been improved to between 4 and 5 seconds on the MS/MX 820 series products via advancements in the machines’ paper pick.

Ms. Belcher also notes that for models that have a touch-screen interface, now all machines—the new the MS and MX 720 /820, the MS and MX 320/420/620, and the CS and CX 720/820—use the same e-Task interface for a consistent user interface up and down the line.

Specifications and differentiating features for the new printers, including the $749 MS821n, $949 MS821dn, $1,149 MS822de, $1,049 MS823n, $1,249 MS823dn, $1,749 MS825dn, and $1,949 MS826de, appear below. Print speeds range from 55 ppm to 70 ppm, and maximum monthly duty cycles from 250,000 to 350,000 pages.
 

Lexmark MS820 Series
Model	MS821n, MS821dn, MS822de	MS823n, MS823dn	MS825dn, MS826de
Product Type
Lexmark Web Price	MS821n: $749 MS821dn: $949 MS822de: $1,149	MS823n: $1,049 MS823dn: $1,249	MS825dn: $1,749 MS826de: $1,949
Print Speed	55 ppm	65 ppm	70 ppm
Monthly Duty Cycle	250,000 pages maximum, 3,000-50,000 pages recommended	300,000 pages maximum, 5,000-75,000 pages recommended	350,000 pages maximum, 5,000-100,000 pages recommended
Max. Print Resolution	1,200 × 1,200 dpi
Paper Input (standard/max.)
Max. Paper Size
Automatic Duplex	MS821n: no MS821dn, MS822de: yes	MS823n: no MS823dn: yes	yes
Standard Connectivity	MS821n, dn: USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet MS822de: same as above plus rear USB 2.0 (Type A)	USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet	MS825dn: USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet MS826de: same as above plus rear USB 2.0 (Type A)
Display	MS821n, dn: 2.4-inch color LCD MS822de: 4.3-inch color touch screen	2.4-inch color LCD	MS825dn: 2.4-inch color LCD MS826de: 4.3-inch color touch screen
Mobile Printing Features	Lexmark Mobile Print app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Windows Mobile
Additional Features	opt. HDD
New Supplies
Best CPP*	1.69¢	0.98¢
*Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables. No multipack pricing is used.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

Moving on to the multifunction models, Lexmark’s new MX721ade and MX721adhe are 65 ppm desktop models priced at $2,299 and $2,599, respectively. The MX722ade and MX722adhe are 70 ppm desktop MFPs priced at $2,999 and $3,299. The MX822ade, MX822adxe, MX826ade, and MX826adxe are floor-standing models that come preconfigured with two trays and a caster base and hard drives. The MX822ade and MX822adxe feature a top output speed of 55 ppm and sell for $3,499 and $3,999, respectively. The MX826ade and MX826adxe print and copy at up to 70 ppm and are priced at $4,699 and $5,199. All the MFPs come with a 200-sheet single-pass duplexing ADF (DADF) for robust and fast scanning capabilities.
 

Lexmark MX720 and MX820 Series
Model	MX721ade, MX721adhe	MX722ade, MX722adhe	MX822ade, MX822adxe	MX826ade, MX826adxe
Product Type	A4 monochrome laser MFPs
Functions	print, copy, scan, fax
Lexmark Web Price	MX721ade: $2,299 MX721adhe: $2,599	MX722ade: $2,999 MX722adhe: $3,299	MX822ade: $3,499 MX822adxe: $3,999	MX826ade: $4,699 MX826adxe: $5,199
Print Speed	65 ppm	70 ppm	55 ppm	70 ppm
Monthly Duty Cycle	300,000 pages maximum, 5,000-75,000 pages recommended	350,000 pages maximum, 5,000-100,000 pages recommended	300,000 pages maximum, 3,000-50,000 pages recommended	350,000 pages maximum, 5,000-100,000 pages recommended
Max. Print Resolution	1,200 × 1,200 dpi
Paper Input (standard/max.)	650/3,300 sheets		MX822ade: 1,100/2,300 sheets MX822adxe: 2,650/2,750 sheets	MX826ade: 1,200/2,300 sheets MX822adxe: 2,650/2,750 sheets
Max. Paper Size	8.5 × 14 inches
Automatic Duplex	yes
Automatic Document Feeder	200-sheet single-pass duplexing ADF (DADF)
Standard Connectivity	USB 2.0 (type B), 2 × rear USB 2.0 Type A port, front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet
Display	7-inch color touch screen	10-inch color touch screen
Mobile Printing Features	Lexmark Mobile Print app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Windows Mobile
Additional Features	MX721ade: opt. HDD MX721adhe: standard HDD	MX722ade: opt. HDD MX722adhe: standard HDD	floor-standing models; all have standard HDD
New Supplies	yes
Best CPP*	1.17¢	0.98¢
*Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables. No multipack pricing is used.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

Lastly, Lexmark has announced two models designed for specialty media applications, the MS725dvn printer and the MX725adve MFP. The letter vin the model number stands for vinyl. These machines use a hot-roll fuser to support vinyl outdoor media and other challenging media types rather than the belt-roll fusers employed in the other models. The MS725dvn sells for $1,199, and we have yet to see pricing for the MX725adve.
 

Lexmark MS725dvn and MX725adve
Model	MS725dvn	MX725adve
Product Type	A4 monochrome laser printers
Functions	print only	print, copy, scan, fax
Lexmark Web Price	$1,199	n/a
Print Speed	55 ppm
Monthly Duty Cycle	300,000 pages maximum, 5,000-75,000 pages recommended
Max. Print Resolution	2,400 Image Quality
Paper Input (standard/max.)	650/4,400 sheets
Max. Paper Size	8.5 × 14 inches
Automatic Duplex	yes
Automatic Document Feeder	no	yes: specs n/a
Standard Connectivity	USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet
Display	2.4-inch color LCD	n/a
Mobile Printing Features	Lexmark Mobile Print app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Windows Mobile
Additional Features	hot-roll fuser; support for wide range of media including vinyl outdoor media
New Supplies	yes
Best CPP*	0.98¢
*Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables. No multipack pricing is used.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

New Monochrome Consumables

Lexmark’s new monochrome printers and MFPs do not seem to introduce a new toner formulation. Ms. Belcher says that the new products use Unison Toner with the same toner characteristics as found in Lexmark's previous printer line.” She adds that Unison Toner's unique low friction qualities increase toner flow and contribute to its ability to transfer efficiently to the page so there’s less toner waste. “Unison Toner also reduces internal wear on long-life components and protects the print system,” she says.

With Lexmark’s launch of the MS and MX 320/420/620 a couple months ago, we saw Lexmark make an effort to streamline the usually dizzying array of consumables it launches for its products by employing the same set of consumables for both the printers and the MFPs rather than using different consumables for each. Now, Lexmark is doing the same with the new MS/MX 720 and 820 series. While not every model in each series supports all the cartridges, the same set of cartridges is shared by both the printers and the MFPs.

As described above, a major goal for Lexmark was improving consumables yields. Ms. Belcher declares, “New toner bottle improvements allow us to increase maximum toner to 55,000 pages, reducing interruptions.” This is a 10,000-page improvement over the highest-yield cartridge for the previous models. Whereas the previous models used 6,000-page standard-yield toner cartridges, 25,000-page high-yield cartridges, 45,000-page extra-high-yield toner cartridges, and 100,000-page imaging units, the new units use a 7,500 standard-yield toner cartridge, 15,000-page high-yield cartridges (available in standard and Return Program versions), a 35,000-page extra-high-yield cartridge, and 55,000-page ultra-high-yield cartridges (available in standard and Return Program versions). There is also a 150,000-page imaging unit, available in both standard and Return Program versions. The highest-yield cartridge supported by the MS821 and MS822 models is the 15,000-page high-yield cartridge, while the MX721 can support the 35,000-page extra-high-yield toner cartridge. Only the MS823, MS825, MS826, MX722, MX822, MX826, MS725dvn, and MX725adve support the 55,000-page ultra-high-yield SKU.
 

Supplies for Lexmark's New MS/MX720 and MS/MX820 Monochrome Lasers
Part	Part Number	Page Yield*	Web Price	MS821, MS822	MX721	MS823, MS825, MS826, MX722, MX822, MX826, MS725dvn, MX725adve
Toner Cartridges
black Return Program toner cartridge	58D1000	7,500	$149.99	X	X	X
black high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	58D1H00	15,000	$245.99	X	X	X
black high-yield toner cartridge	58D0HA0	15,000	$319.99	X	X	X
black extra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	58D1X00	35,000	$390.99		X	X
black ultra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	58D1U00	55,000	$507.99			X
black ultra-high-yield toner cartridge	58D0UA0	55,000	$625.99			X
Other Consumables
black Return Program imaging unit	52D0Z00	150,000	$77.99	X	X	X
black  imaging unit	58D0ZA0	150,000	$97.99	X	X	X
Best CPP (including highest-yield Return Program cartridge available and Return Program imaging unit): MS821, MS822: 1.69¢ MX721: 1.17¢ MS823, MS825, MS826, MX722, MX822, MX826, MS725dvn, MX725adve: 0.98¢
*Toner cartridge yields based on the ISO/IEC 19752 standard
Note: Machines ship with 11,000-page starter Return Program toner cartridge. Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables. No multipack pricing is used.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

Based on Lexmark’s pricing for the highest-yield Return Program SKUs available for these models, the MS821 and MS822 have a cost per page (CPP) of 1.69 cents, the MX721 has a CPP of 1.17 cents, and the MS823, MS825, MS826, MX722, MX822, MX826, MS725dvn, and MX725adve have a CPP of 0.98 cents. These are all improved from the previous generation where best CPP figures at the time of launch ranged from 1.20 cents to 2.04 cents.

New Color Hardware

Lexmark’s newest A4 color lasers are designed for small to medium-sized workgroups. The new CS421dn, CS521dn, CS622de, CX421adn, CX522ade, CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe replace the CS/CX 310, 410, and 510 series from 2012 (see “Lexmark Launches Lots of Lasers, Copious Consumables: Part 1—Color”). As we saw with its new monochrome models, Lexmark is cutting back one the number of preconfigured color models it offers. The previous devices were offered in 15 different configurations as opposed to the seven new color models announced in June. We should note, however, that list of new color machines is not complete. Lexmark will also be offering various “open market” models based on its new color platform for open distribution, while the models discussed here are the enterprise-class products that will be sold through Lexmark’s direct and dealer channels.

Ron Wells, global product manager for the color products for Lexmark, indicates that Lexmark’s new A4 color laser devices are based on an improved version of the Lexmark-designed engine used in the predecessor products. He says, “We have introduced many exciting changes to this new generation of devices while leveraging an existing, tried and true architecture to bring the best of both to these new products.”

Mr. Wells sums up the “many exciting changes” that Lexmark made to the platform as follows: “Lexmark has focused on improving the device capabilities in the key areas our customers have mentioned as focal points, namely ease of use, performance, quality, manageability, security, and TCO. These devices leverage new technology to help our customer with the areas they are most focused on. This is achieved by leveraging items from new user interfaces that emulate modern mobile technology to advanced analytics to predict events before they occur. From long life consumables for maximal uptime to enriched printing algorithms for ultra-sharp print quality. These devices are designed with enterprise customer needs in mind.”

Essentially, many of the improvements are the same as those discussed above for the large workgroup models, such as the switch to a steel frames for improved durability and print quality, multi-core processors and improved memory levels, support for Lexmark’s full spectrum security, the use of a common touch-screen interface on many of the devices, and the use of high-yield consumables that reduce the rate of user intervention. Mr. Wells also notes that Lexmark has improved the ease of accessing the inside of the printer with a door on the front that opens and provides access to the entire paper path. He also notes that Lexmark has improved the reliability of the paper path so the chance of misfeeds are low. He estimates most devices will see less than one jam per year.

Another change we noticed is an increase in print speed and duty cycle on the higher-end models. The CS622de, CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe print at 40 ppm in black and color and have a maximum monthly duty cycle of 100,000 pages—that is improved from the 32 ppm top speed and 85,000-page maximum monthly duty cycle on the previous CS510 and CX510 models. Mr. Wells notes that first-page-out times have been improved and explains, “EP system changes allowed improvements in system timing, including a reduction in fusing temperature, which allows the system to come to ready faster. In addition to this, the process speed increased 25 percent, moving the paper through the machine faster.”

The MFPs sport improved automatic document feeders (ADFs) for faster scanning and more paper capacity. While the older CX310 models had a 50-sheet ADF and the CX410  and CX510 series had a 50-sheet reversing ADF (RADF), the new CX421adn and CX522ade have a 50-sheet RADF and the CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe have a 100-sheet single-pass duplexing ADF (DADF).

Specifications for the printers, including the 25/25 ppm (black/color) CS421dn, the 35/35 ppm CS521dn, and the 40/40 ppm CS622de, are shown below. Lexmark has set pricing of $399 for the CS421dn, $449 for the CS521dn, and $599 for the CS622de.
 

Lexmark CS421, CS521, CS622 Series
Model	CS421dn	CS521dn	CS622de
Product Type	A4 color laser printers
Web Price	$399	$449	$599
Print Speed (mono/color)	25/25 ppm	35/35 ppm	40/40 ppm
Monthly Duty Cycle	75,000 pages maximum, 800-6,500 pages recommended	85,000 pages maximum, 1,500-8,500 pages recommended	100,000 pages maximum, 1,500-10,000 pages recommended
Max. Print Resolution	1,200 × 1,200 dpi, 4800 Color Quality (2,400 × 600 dpi)
Paper Input (standard/max.)	251/901 sheets	251/1,451 sheets	251/1,451 sheets
Lexmark CS510de, dte	8.5 × 14 inches
Automatic Duplex	yes
Standard Connectivity	USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet	USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), rear USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet
Display	2.4-inch color LCD		4.3-inch color touch screen
Mobile Printing Features	Lexmark Mobile Print app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Windows Mobile
Additional Features	Lexmark Color Replacement
New Supplies	yes
Best CPP (mono/color)*	2.19¢/14.36¢	1.78¢/11.92¢
*Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

The MFPs include the CX421adn, which prints at 25/25 ppm and sells for $529; the CX522ade, which prints at 35/35 ppm and sells for $579; and the CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX525adhe, which print at 40/40 ppm and are priced at $999, $1,199, and $1,499, respectively.
 

Lexmark CX421, CX522, CX622, CX625 Series
Model	CX421adn	CX522ade	CX622ade	CX625ade, CX625adhe
Product Type	A4 color laser MFPs
Functions	print, copy, scan, fax
Web Price	$529	$579	$999	CX625ade: $1,199 CX625adhe: $1,499
Print Speed (mono/color)	25/25 ppm	35/35 ppm	40/40 ppm
Monthly Duty Cycle	75,000 pages maximum, 800-6,500 pages recommended	85,000 pages maximum, 1,500-8,500 pages recommended	100,000 pages maximum, 1,500-10,000 pages recommended
Max. Print Resolution	1,200 × 1,200 dpi, 4800 Color Quality (2,400 × 600 dpi)
Paper Input (standard/max.)	251/901 sheets	251/1,451 sheets
Max. Paper Size	8.5 × 14 inches
Automatic Duplex	yes
Automatic Document Feeder	50-sheet reversing ADF (RADF)		100-sheet single-pass duplexing ADF (DADF)
Standard Connectivity	USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet		USB 2.0 (type B), front USB 2.0 (type A), rear USB 2.0 (type A), Gigabit Ethernet
Display	2.4-inch color LCD	4.3-inch color touch screen		7-inch color touch screen
Mobile Printing Features	Lexmark Mobile Print app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Windows Mobile
Additional Features	Lexmark Color Replacement			adhe includes hard drive standard; Lexmark Color Replacement
New Supplies	yes
Best CPP (mono/color)*	2.19¢/14.36¢		1.78¢/11.92¢
*Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

New Color Consumables

Lexmark’s new color portfolio uses new consumables, but they do not appear to use a new toner formulation. Lexmark indicates that just like the previous models, its new color lasers use its Unison toner formulation, which is a so-called low-melt toner, meaning that it melts at a lower temperature and thus does not require the fuser to heat up to as high a temperature, leading to improved energy consumption and faster warm-up and prints speeds, and other benefits, such as a more compact design, consistent quality, and less toner waste.

While color devices inevitably use more consumables than monochrome devices and Lexmark tends to introduce more consumables than other vendors due to its use of both standard and Return Program cartridges, Lexmark’s new color laser devices introduce fewer new consumables than their predecessors. As noted above, Lexmark seems to be making a concerted effort to cut back on the multitude of hardware configurations and consumables it previously offered. One way Lexmark essentially cut the number of consumables in half is by leveraging the same new consumables for both the color printers and MFPs, just as it did with its large workgroup monochrome models, rather than introducing separate consumables for each.

Consumables yields have been improved significantly from one generation to the next. The older CS/CX 310, 410, and 510 series used standard-yield cartridges rated at 1,000 pages for all four colors; high-yield cartridges rated at 4,000 pages for black and 3,000 pages for color; extra-high-yield cartridges rated at 8,000 pages for black and 4,000 pages for color; and imaging kits, photoconductors, and developer units rated at 40,000 pages.

All the new models, including the CS421dn, CS521dn, CS622de, CX421adn, CX522ade, CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe, support standard-yield Return Program cartridges rated at 2,000 pages for black and 1,400 pages for color. There are also extra-high-yield cartridge rated at 8,500 pages in black and 5,000 pages each for cyan, magenta, and yellow, which are available in standard and Return Program version. All the models support these cartridges as well. Finally, Lexmark offers ultra-high-yield cartridges, available as standard and Return Program SKUs, that yield 10,500 pages for black and 7,000 pages apiece for color. Only the CS521dn, CS622de, CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe support the ultra-high-yield toner cartridges. Finally, the new longer-life components—the imaging kits (which include the photoconductor and developer), the photoconductors, and developer units are rated at 125,000 pages—more than three times the yields of these same components in the predecessor products.
 

Supplies for Lexmark CS421/521/622 and CX421/522/622/625
Part	Part Number	Page Yield*	Web Price	CS421, CX421, CX522	CS521, CS622, CX622, CX625
Standard-Yield Toner Cartridges
black Return Program toner cartridge	78C10K0	2,000	$73.99	X	X
cyan Return Program toner cartridge	78C10C0	1,400	$87.99	X	X
magenta Return Program toner cartridge	78C10M0	1,400	$87.99	X	X
yellow Return Program toner cartridge	78C10Y0	1,400	$87.99	X	X
Extra-High-Yield Toner Cartridges
black extra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1XK0	8,500	$159.99	X	X
cyan extra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1XC0	5,000	$195.99	X	X
magenta extra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1XM0	5,000	$195.99	X	X
yellow extra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1XY0	5,000	$195.99	X	X
black extra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0X10	8,500	$207.99	X	X
cyan extra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0X20	5,000	$254.99	X	X
magenta extra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0X30	5,000	$254.99	X	X
yellow extra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0X40	5,000	$254.99	X	X
Ultra-High-Yield Toner Cartridges
black ultra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1UK0	10,500	$154.99		X
cyan ultra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1UC0	7,000	$226.99		X
magenta ultra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1UM0	7,000	$226.99		X
yellow ultra-high-yield Return Program toner cartridge	78C1UY0	7,000	$226.99		X
black ultra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0U10	10,500	$201.99		X
cyan ultra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0U20	7,000	$295.99		X
magenta ultra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0U30	7,000	$295.99		X
yellow ultra-high-yield toner cartridge	78C0U40	7,000	$295.99		X
Other Consumables
black Return Program imaging kit	78C0ZK0	125,000	$228.99	X	X
black imaging kit	78C0Z10	125,000	$297.99	X	X
black and color Return Program imaging kit	78C0ZV0	125,000	$302.99	X	X
black and color imaging kit	78C0Z50	125,000	$393.99	X	X
black developer unit	78C0D10	125,000	$75.99	X	X
cyan developer unit	78C0D20	125,000	$75.99	X	X
magenta developer unit	78C0D30	125,000	$75.99	X	X
yellow developer unit	78C0D40	125,000	$75.99	X	X
waste toner bottle	78C0W00	25,000	$30.99	X	X
Best CPP (including highest-yield Return Program cartridges available, Return Program imaging kits, waste toner) CS421, CX421, CX522 series: 2.19¢ black, 14.36¢ color CS521, CS622, CX622, CX625 series: 1.78¢ black, 11.92¢ color
*Toner cartridge yields based on the ISO/IEC 19798 standard
Note: CS421 and CX421 ship with 2,000-page black and 1,400-page color starter Return Program cartridges; CS521, CS622, CX522, CX622, CX625 ship with 3,000-page black and 2,000-page color Return Program cartriges. Best CPP figures are based on vendor's web prices for the highest-yield Return Program cartridges available divided by vendor's rated yields plus other consumables.
Source: Actionable Intelligence

CPP has improved on the new products. Based on Lexmark’s prices for the new consumables and using the highest-yield Return Program SKUs available for each model, the CS421dn, CX421adn, and CX522ade can print a black page for 2.19 cents and a four-color page for 14.36 cents, while the CS521dn, CS622de, CX622ade, CX625ade, and CX625adhe have lower CPP figures of 1.78 cents in black and 11.92 cents in color. On the previous generation of products best CPP figures ranged from a low of 2.19 cents in black and 11.02 cents in color to a high of 3.03 cents in black and 17.01 cents in color, based on Lexmark’s supplies pricing at time of launch.

Lexmark Now Well Positioned but Will It See Its Share Grow?

Lexmark is quick to emphasize that Ninestar plays no role in the development of Lexmark hardware. Still, it is interesting to see how Lexmark’s lineup has changed now that Lexmark is owned by Ninestar. For example, the use of steel frames promoted in Lexmark’s new lineup is something that we saw Ninestar’s Pantum printer business introduce as a differentiating feature in its own line of printers several years ago.

Another big change in the new Lexmark lineup is a reduction in the number of individual hardware configurations and consumables—a change we think Lexmark’s distributors and dealers will welcome. It is also interesting to see Lexmark really working to give end users the most on their investment—to develop devices designed to stand up to years and years of use as well as consumables with much higher yields than what we have seen previously from the firm. While these are characteristics that are attractive to most end users, we think they are also characteristics that should play well in Asia and Ninestar’s domestic Chinese market. A stated end goal of Ninestar’s acquisition of Lexmark was to grow Lexmark’s business in Asia Pacific, a region where it currently has only limited penetration. (see “It’s a Done Deal: Apex Has Acquired Lexmark”). Ultimately, Ninestar’s bold goal is to make Lexmark one of the top three laser printer vendors worldwide within the next five years (see “Ninestar Reveals More about Lexmark Laser Printer Manufacturing Plans”).

Now that Lexmark has an almost completely new portfolio of products, it will be interesting to see whether it can make any headway toward meeting its parent company’s goals.

Read Lexmark press release.

As an affiliate of Lexmark, Static Control is positioned to provide remanufacturers electronic cartridge chips for select Lexmark printer models, which avoid patent violations and performance interruptions.