TCPglobal - news, views and issues on total cost of printing

Issue #0805/1 - With higher than expected purchase price and lower than expected running costs, Lexmark’s new X560n, four-function colour laser MFP looks to be more attractive as a multifunction device for small businesses and workgroups than we have come to expect from Lexmark. Pitched against Brother’s MFC-9440CN, Dell’s 3115cn, Oki’s C5550MFP and Xerox’s Phaser 6180MFP, the X560n stands its ground firmly and confidently.

Issue #0805/2 - Lexmark’s newly released Business Edition/Professional inkjet multifunction AiOs represent ‘just another’ hard copy device but with a portion of the running costs bundled into a high purchase price, instead of offering the customer more than just fax functionality in addition to print, copy and scan.

Issue #0805/3 - Another apparent ploy being exploited by Lexmark in its attempts to salvage its flagging finances is to offer cashback deals on its mono laser printers that surpass most other offers seen to date, especially on single-function mono laser printers. For instance, the T640 series attracts a cashback of £200, while the T642 family attracts £300 and the T644 attracts a £350!

Issue #0804/1 - Still heading downwards on a slippery slope, Lexmark’s latest financial results show exactly why the company’s strategy needed modifying, suggesting that further action is needed and that there may be some way to go before anyone sees an overall upturn, despite record results in some areas.

Issue #0804/2 – As part of its strategy to win business users to its new range of Business Edition inkjet All-in-One products, Lexmark Europe has also launched a Business Club for buyers of those products, with some significant benefits – but for how long?