X4550

Lexmark reckons wireless connections are set to saturate homes and offices across the nation. To this end, many of the models in its new range eagerly embrace Wi-Fi. This isn't the cheapest device to offer Wi-Fi, but it costs $199 and this, in light of its all-in-one capabilities, ought to draw murmurs of approval.

Setting up Wi-Fi is very simple, thanks to the comprehensive - but still reasonably swift - installation routine. The Lexmark has coloured lights to tell you whether it's connected and, if not, whether there's a convenient network within range.

Wi-Fi aside, the X4550 is a very solid, if slightly uninspirational, all-in-one. Its maximum printer resolution of 4800x1200 is typical of sub-$240 all-in-ones. Even at its highest quality mode, it never achieves the heights of some models costing considerably less. We were never able to get pin-sharp text out of it, and we found characters slightly poorly formed. Performance is reasonably good, with the middle quality mode running out at a handsome 8.6ppm (pages per minute). On graphics, the Lexmark quickly dropped to sluggish performance levels once past the fastest mode. Quality is acceptable, but we weren't totally enthused by the results.

This is a worthy but slightly dull MFD, enlivened by the presence of Wi-Fi.