A laser printer has one huge advantage over an inkjet, for text printing the claimed print speeds are always achieved.
This is close to an entry level product and it churns out text pages at 19 to the minute for as long as you have paper available. In its base incarnation as reviewed - there is no extra paper tray so your input paper is stored vertically at the rear of the machine. This is stated to hold 150 sheets, I feel this might be a little tight and I never felt confident in putting more than around 120 in at a time.
One test I always perform is mixing a variety of weights and makes of paper, the Lexmark 323 handled them all and I do not remember a single paper jam apart from one I induced, the jam was easy to clear and then the half printed page was reprinted on continuation.
The printed page is delivered face back in another vertical stack at the front of the unit, this is stated to hold 100 sheets.
The unit has a control panel of six LEDs and two buttons however you are unlikely to need them at all. The on/off switch is located at the rear of the left side and this is all you are likely to use.
Lexmark always pass technology on and some of the features in this unit started life as only available in their high end products. Their Mark Vision software is included on the driver CD which has both PostScript and PCL. Unlike some other manufacturers they still support Windows 95 users and from that the more technical will know that both parallel and USB interfaces are supported.
Unlike some early USB printer installations this ran smoothly and quickly. I am old fashioned enough to prefer a manual, and one is provided as well as a quick start guide and numerous other pieces of paper. However for those who prefer .pdf documentation you are not forgotten.
I ran a number of speed tests and the provided 16MB or ram inside the machine proved sufficient for all. The 19PPM stated was met for all textural pages. Should you print of the slightly differently sized letter paper used a lot in the USA then you should get 20PPM.
Graphical printing on a mono laser may seem strange but some excellent grey scales can be achieved. The price not as cheap as some at around £264 but look out for occasional special offers and then snap it up, you will not be disappointed.
Link to the manufacturers information for this product:
http://www.lexmark.com/tab/redirect/0,6447,252735_450282_75861477_en_0_1,00.html
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