LEXMARK FORMS 2480 OEM RIBBON CARTRIDGE (CHARACTER YIELD)

Lexmark Forms 2480 Review

Overview:

The long discontinued Lexmark Forms 2480 dot matrix printer is quite old, but its timeless impact print technology and rugged hardware has not aged like other print devices, as dot matrix technology seldom changes. This means that, though the unit has long been off the market, it could be found online for quite a bargain, making the device a totally viable option for those looking to add a multiple form printer to their hardware set.

Pros:

The Lexmark Forms 2480’s dimensions measure up at 19.4 x 11.4 x 7.7 inches (W x D x H), making it just as compact as a desktop laser printer or even a personal inkjet printer. Then again, this industrial, rugged device was not exactly designed for desktop use, and would much more likely be found in a warehouse or shipping bay where it would withstand hard environmental conditions much better than its inkjet or laser counterparts.

The real reason for ownership of a Lexmark Forms 2480 is not stability, however, but its ability to print multiple forms. Because inkjet and laser printers do not use any actual impact on the page to transfer ink, carbon copies cannot be made using these devices. With a dot matrix printer, the impact used to transfer ink is also suitable to imprint multiple layer paper that can then be used to create multiple signed copies of the same receipt.

Like all dot matrix printers, the Lexmark Forms 2480’s print speed is measured in characters per second as opposed to pages per minute. There are various quality settings that severely affect the device’s performance. The best quality attainable on this printer is what Lexmark calls near letter quality and the unit can produce about 76 characters per second at this level of resolution.

Lower resolutions result in faster print speeds. Up to 304 characters per second can be produced when using draft quality and fast draft quality can print out 510 characters per minute. All speeds are measured using 12 characters per inch as the standard amount. This method of speed measurement actually results in a much more accurate prediction that those used for inkjet and laser pritners.

Only 96 KBs of RAM are installed in the unit but as a dot matrix device it does not require much. Additional flash memory is included as well, primarily so that the printer’s bar code feature can be used. Regardless of the printer’s poor maximum print resolution, it is still capable of producing accurate bar codes, as well as a limited degree of imagery that could be used for such things as simple company logos.

Cons:

While a 9 pin dot matrix printer should not be expected to produce fine detail, the Lexmark Forms 2480’s maximum print resolution is so poor that it must be noted. The device can produce quality that tops out at only 240 x 144 dots per inch, placing it below even old fax machines in the area of resolution. Users interested in purchasing the printer should definitely be aware of its limitations.