The printer is simple to install via your USB port, though there is no USB cable supplied in the box. A CD-ROM containing the necessary drivers and the print solution software is included. There are two ink cartridges supplied (one black and one for the other three printing colours--cyan, magenta and yellow) and these are easy to clip into place. Within five minutes you can be up and running, producing prints.
The Z55SE offers 4800x1200 dpi resolution and quotes speeds of up to 17 ppm for mono, and 13 ppm for colour prints. The speeds are ambitious even when referring to draft quality as they do. However, text output is prompt for an inkjet and when you crank up the quality settings, you get crisp output with solid blacks. Colour printing, which for most people means photos, is a time-consuming affair.
At the highest quality, you will be hanging around for several minutes to produce a colour print, but the wait is worth it. On decent photo quality paper you get clear, sharp results with little noticeable banding. The highest quality setting does tend to lay down a lot of ink, so it's worth experimenting with the settings, as dropping the quality a notch does produce quicker, more economical prints with a better colour match and only a slight reduction in quality.
The Lexmark Z55SE is a solidly constructed, well thought-out printer. It comes with a mature driver that helps you maximise its capabilities and produces great results. While offering a step up in performance from many of the basic models available, the Z55SE is still affordable, making it a great choice for the home. --Jason Weston
