The Lexmark C540n is part of the printer
test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, regular printer
models like the C540n are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.
Ink and paper/month:
Estimated cost (in dollars) for ink and photo paper in a month of typical use, based on our tests and how our readers told us they print.
For inkjets: 23 text pages, 9 graphics pages, 2.4 large photos, 3.6 small photos, and 3.5 photos on plain paper.
For lasers: 62 text pages, 24 graphics pages, 1.7 large photos, 1.9 small photos, and 2.3 photos on plain paper.
Photos cost the most, text documents the least, so your results may vary from these figures, but they are useful for comparing models.
Photo quality:
This is our assessment of the appearance of each photo. Models with higher scores produce more natural looking photos, with smoother changes in shading and fewer problems with banding.
8x10 photo time:
This score reflects how quickly the model can print one 8x10 photo on photo-quality paper. 2 minutes or less is excellent; 2 to 4 minutes is very good; 4 to 6 minutes is good; 6 to 8 minutes is fair; and longer than 8 minutes is poor.
About This Brand
Offers several lines of standard and all-in-one inkjets, as well as lasers, in a broad price range. The "Z" series is a group of compact plain inkjets that starts at $35. It also has a line of color lasers. Two new lines are the Professional and the Home & Student series. For the widest selection of Lexmark printers at the best prices, try Newegg.com. PCConnection’s site also has a wide selection, while Tiger Direct offers better prices.
Features & Specs - Lexmark C540n
Memory-card reader Indicates whether the printer has a built-in memory-card reader. If so, this feature lets you print image files from a digital camera's memory card without using a computer. You can also transfer the files to a computer.
Memory-card reader
No
PictBridge This feature allows direct printing (without the use of a computer) from any brand of digital camera to any brand of printer.
PictBridge
No
LCD viewer Printer has a built-in LCD screen for viewing and editing images from a memory card. The screen is small, usually only 1 to 3.5 inches, and editing capability is very limited.
LCD viewer
No
Individual color tanks Some inkjet printers use a separate tank for each color. Others have tri-color cartridges with three colors in one. Individual tanks let you replace only the color that runs out rather than tossing a tri-color cartridge that may have some ink left.
Individual color tanks
Yes
Networking The ability to connect to a home network for printing from a computer either via an Ethernet or a WiFi connection. Ethernet is the common wired network and WiFi is the wireless format commonly found in laptop computers.
I am a photographer and use printers all the time. I needed a multipurpose, every day printer and was told laser was inexpensive. I never found out how to just print Black ... I found it impossible and confusing to adjust the quality settings, so it became incredibly expensive to run. Things got so bad that I had to retire an expensive and perfectly good printer and buy a new one for the cost of two cartridges I would have had to replace.
1 person has reviewed this model.
Memory-card reader
