Already have a device that can handle copying, scanning, and/or faxing? Want a device that can handle more volume as well as print out crisp, bold documents? Then the Lexmark E360dn laser printer might be for you.
This single function monochrome laser can print a document in less than seven seconds and give users a maximum 80,000 pages a month. Read on for more details!
E360DN SPECIFICATIONS
- Print speeds: up to 40 ppm
- First page out: 6.5 seconds
- Print resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi
- Monthly duty cycle: up to 80,000 pages
- Built-in duplexing
- 2-line LCD display
- 50-sheet multipurpose tray
- 32 MB standard memory
- Network ready
- Supports Mac OS X, Linux, Windows
- Energy Star qualified
BUILD AND DESIGN
The mostly gray design is pretty plain – sort of expected from a monochrome single function laser printer – with just a simple Lexmark logo on the front but will blend into an office environment nicely.
The 150 page output bin is on the top of the printer and there is an extension to keep print jobs from landing on the floor.
You’ll find a small button on the top left side which opens the front of the E360 for toner cartridge access. Since this is a monochrome laser printer, there is only one black toner cartridge that was relatively easy to install.
The small, intuitive control panel is located on the front of the E360dn and consists of a 2-line 128 x 32 pixel backlit LCD and six buttons: menu, back, two arrow keys, ok/enter, stop/cancel. Simple, but it is really every short command you’ll need for a single function printer.
The 50-sheet multipurpose tray is located below the control panel. The tray folds down and out and has two adjustable paper clasps for various types of media.
Below the multipurpose tray, users will find the standard 250-sheet paper drawer that also has adjustable paper clasps. For businesses that need more volume, the E360dn is expandable up to a maximum of 850 sheets (including the 50 page multipurpose tray).
On the right side of the machine, you’ll find a door that opens up to the expandable memory card. The E360dn comes standard with 32 MB of memory but is upgradeable to 288 MB.
The connections will be found on the back of the E360. The E360dn is network ready, so you’ll find an Ethernet 10/100BaseTX port along with a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed port. The power button and the AC power port are also located on the back along with additional access into the machine.
E360DN PERFORMANCE
Setting up the E360dn
The quick start setup guide is made up of 14 pictures but it is pretty easy to follow: unload the printer, unwrap toner cartridge, install toner cartridge, load paper and then choose your connection method.
Lexmark gives users two connection options as mention previously: Hi-Speed 2.0 USB or Ethernet 10/100BaseTX. You will need to connect the printer via one of the two options before turning the printer on and downloading the drivers.
Once you flip the power switch, the E360dn will go through some brief warm up activity and then print a connection page. Since I chose the Ethernet route on my initial setup, I got a network info page including: the IP address the printer was set up on, the printer status, and the domain name
Downloading the drivers took less than five minutes and Lexmark gives users the option between using their suggested setup (the wizard will find your printer and finish the setup) or the custom setup, where users can establish different scripts, ports etc. I went through both prompts; the suggested setup was much easier and probably quicker. I only had to choose which connection I went with (Ethernet) and then select the printer from a list of found printers.
Clearly, for most average users (and me), the suggested setup is the way to go.
Ease of use
The E360dn print settings, device status and various other admin options can be accessed multiple ways making the printer much easier to use.
I prefer using the options available through my PC: the Lexmark web server, the Lexmark status messenger and the Lexmark document options.
The web server menu can be accessed via a browser with the supplied IP address. View device status, printer settings (including a way to copy your printer settings), device reports, links to support and an index. Users can also order supplies through the web server.
The status messenger is an automatic popup that keeps users up to date on the status of the E360dn and individual print jobs. It will alert users to any errors: low toner, a paper jam, or an empty paper tray.
The document properties menu is accessed through the properties/preferences button on the print menu. It lays out all the different print options: page layout, paper type/size, print quality and will even allow businesses/users to add a watermark.
Everything that can be accessed on your PC or Mac can also be accessed through the menu button on the E360dn. The two line display can be difficult to work with because you can only read the menu title and the first option at one time.
But I printed out a Lexmark E360DNmenu settings page (found under Reports in the Admin menu) and after I navigated the printer menus like a pro. I would highly recommend it if planning on accessing the device setting via the E360dn menu.
Print Tests
Lexmark advertises that the E360dn can print up to 40 pages per minute and my print tests were extremely close to this estimated speed.
All three mode options – best, normal and draft – are set on a default toner darkness of eight but the print resolution varies. In normal mode – the default mode at 1200 image quality (IQ) – the E360dn printed 38 ppm on average with a first page out in around six seconds.
In draft mode – 600 dpi resolution – the E360dn printed 39 ppm on average with a first page out in around 5 seconds. At first, I was astounded by the draft mode because the print quality was almost as good as the normal mode but then I realized that was because Lexmark set the toner darkness standard among all three modes.
I found the best mode to be considerably slower than the normal and draft modes; the E360dn printed a mere 20 ppm on average with a first page out in nine seconds in best mode.
The E360dn also slows down when duplexing; it printed about 10 sheets a minute (20 pages, back and front) with a first page out in about nine seconds. It took a little over two minutes to print a 40-page document.
Print quality
What I really loved about the E360dn was that users can so easily adjust the toner darkness manually leading to a much more efficient use of their toner cartridges. And honestly, I found that even at a level two the text was dark and easy to read. Plus, Lexmark promises up to 50% toner savings when moving from the standard level eight to the lowest setting, level one. In this economy, everyone can use a 50 percent toner saving.
Energy usage
Laser printers have a bad reputation for sucking up a ton of energy which leads to a business spending more. Lexmark, like many manufacturers, has combated this image by putting out Energy Star qualified models and adding Eco-friendly features.
When starting up, the E360dn starts off at about 12W then jumps up and pulsates between 619W and 547W. After the short warm up, the watts lower dramatically and the energy consumption hovers around 12W in ready mode.
When printing, the E360dn pulsates between 710W and 535W but drops back to about 12W in ready mode.
Lexmark has a few energy saving features that can reduce the watts used by the E360dn. In energy saving mode and power saving mode, the E360dn uses about 10W.
PROS
- Small footprint
- Adjustable toner darkness
- Fast print speeds
CONS
- Small display
CONCLUSION
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The Lexmark E360dn is available now on the Lexmark websitefor $399.00.
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