With the X4550 Lexmark has built wireless LAN connectivity into an MFP for less than £100. It looks the part and is impressively compact. However, its light weight and flimsy construction are a bit of a concern.



The first thing to point out is that you can’t use the X4550 wirelessly without an established wireless LAN. You also need a wired USB connection in order to use the scanner from your PC with most standard TWAIN applications. However, installation is a breeze.



Lexmark does offer photographers a more optimal photo cartridge with light cyan and magenta inks, plus dye-based photo black, which replaces the standard pigment black cartridge, but it’s an optional extra only. Tests with the standard three-colour cartridge result in competent photo prints, though close inspection shows a fair amount of grain. Photo printing is very slow – six minutes for an A4 borderless photo and well over two minutes for a 6x4in print. The most impressive aspect of the X4550 is the scanner, which is accurate and high-resolving, without over-sharpening.