The Lexmark MC3326i is a low-cost multifunction laser printer designed for small and medium businesses. Relative to its size, all this has enough toner and paper capacity to suit a busy business, and Lexmark recommends a maximum monthly switching frequency of 50,000 pages.
It certainly appears competitive in its class, with its steel-frame design and sturdy security features, and at roughly £359 (AU$657, US$506), the Lexmark MC3326i should appeal to anybody with a modest budget and a large print load. However, there are a few things that are missing, and the expense of continuous consumables should be something to think about, so let’s take a deeper look.
What you will see here?
Lexmark MC3326i Design
The Lexmark MC3326i is just a little thinner than other laser AOIs with similar capability, but far from light at about 20kg. When you read about just the integrated steel frame and long-life imaging created a sophisticated in its construction, you may be confident in the build quality. Upon registration, this device comes with a four-year warranty.
The main printer component is practically a clean square with such a cut-away corner for your convenience, with the little touchscreen display tilted upwards. On top of that, there’s a 50-sheet ADF (automatic document feeder) and a flatbed scanner. However, if all you need is a printer, the CS331dw photocopy device is much smaller.
An Ethernet wire and a USB data cable are connected at the back, with a USB Host connector conveniently situated beside a front panel display.
A slot above the main paper tray allows you to load single sheets of paper for one-time print jobs, such as heading stationery or envelopes.
The four huge toner cartridges are shown when a section of the front panel pulls open. This machine can use high-capacity cartridges that can print 3,000 black and white pages or 2,500 color pages, but be aware that the included cartridges could only print 750 monochromatic or 500 color pages.
Features
Laser printers with normal yields of 1,500 pages are available. In comparison to the other models, the Lexmark MC3326i model is superior. High-capacity cartridges with yields of 2,500 color pages and 3,000 black pages are available.
WiFi, USB, and ethernet connections are all available. The Lexmark has gigabit ethernet, which is not seen in many options at this price category. However, NFC and WiFi direct are available on comparable products in this class. That might be a pro or a drawback depending on the situation.
Schools, for example, may want to use NFC to make setup easier. The Department of Defense, on the other hand, may not want everyone to have access to an all-in-one. At government and some healthcare venues, we typically deactivate NFC and WiFi direct.
Simultaneously, A reverse automatic doc feeder is included with the MC3326i (RADF). Although single-process doc feeders are ideal, they aren’t essential. The lack of dual scanners will be compensated for by an excellent overall design. Many of the high-end office copy machines I work with have a RADF and can easily copy two-sided originals.
Some brands employ high-quality doc feeders on their high-end office copiers, but use low-cost doc feeders for the lower-end models. The Lexmark doc feeders I’ve worked on are all well-made, even the cheapest models. However, the feed rollers on this doc feeder are replaceable, which means they can be replaced. In my experience, Lexmark is the simplest to service after Xerox.
Lexmark MC3326i Specifications
| Type | Color 4-in-1 color laser printer |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB |
| Data Storage Slots | USB Host |
| Functions | Print, scan, copy, fax |
| Print Speed | 24 ppm |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Print Quality | 600 x 600 dpi |
| Scan Quality | 600 x 600 dpi |
| Dimensions/Weight | 411 x 394 x 344 mm (WxDxH)/19.4kg |
| Apple AirPrint | Yes |
| Duplex | Yes |
Setup and operation
The Lexmark MC3326i can be set up using the touchscreen interface, but users can also use the Lexmark Mobile Assistant app for iOS or Android to do it. This is different from the Lexmark Print app, which you will also have to install if you wish to print and scan from your smartphone. However, Lexmark’s app support isn’t as good as its competitors.
The 2.8in (7.2cm) color screen is already on the small side, and each button push takes a while to register, so be patient with this one. It is shown at a suitable angle, but if it could tilt, it would be even easier to read. The primary paper tray is simple to load, and the single-sheet multifunctional tray, which is missing on some printers, is also a plus. However, you must properly load this slot in order for the printer to accept your envelope or whatever you’re entering.
Lexmark MC3326i Performance
With bold coloration and hard edges, maps and lines diagrams look sharp.
Even pictures, which are notoriously difficult to print on laser printers, seemed bright and clear. Moreover, page after page of incredibly clean monochrome text is what the Lexmark MC3326i excels at. It’s not particularly quick (the Xerox VersaLink B600 prints at 55ppm), and it’s reliable. When in full motion, it’s also a touch noisier than some printers, at 50dB.
Part of the appeal is indeed the darkness of the symbols, which makes you question how much toner you’re wasting. We should also mention that the running costs are greater than its competitors, at roughly 3.3p per mono sheet and 15.8p for every color page.
Conclusion
The Lexmark MC3326i is a low-volume color all-in-one printer with several capabilities seen in higher-end models. While other features differed among models in this sector, the MC3326i stood out for its security and wide compatibility. Although the HP offers excellent security, the Lexmark has several user-configurable features that the HP does not.
While the Canon has a better print quality, none of the models possessed the Lexmark’s multi-core processor or 512 MB of memory. This is particularly significant in larger print projects. However, the single-pass document feeder is used by other models in this sector. Still, the one with the MC3326i is simple to service and, in my experience, has been a steady document feeder.
Lexmark’s operational costs are more, but they are well worth it all in my opinion.
