Technology is supposed to make our lives easier.  Whether it’s something as complex as a cell phone or as simple as a toothbrush, we expect new technology to enrich our lives while being easy to use.  My printer has yet to be either of those things.

For this semester, I decided to get a new printer that could not only scan, but could wirelessly print.  I thought it would be great to be able to throw my printer in the closet to save desk space without losing any convenience or functionality.  While at Target, I chose the Lexmark X4650 because it touted its easy-to-use wifi printing, had a good exterior design, and was cheaper than other wifi printers.  Boy was I in for a world of hurt when I got that printer back to my room.

Technical Tirade

Before I could enable the wireless features, I had to install a bunch of bloatware.  Fine.  That wasn’t entirely unexpected but doesn’t exactly fit my definition of “easy to use.”  With the printer connected to my computer for configuration, I went through 2 different wizards to get the wifi feature working.  I added it to the Vanderbilt wireless network, and was told my printer was all ready to go! Even the little wifi light on the front was green.  Splendid!  Except the printer was nowhere to be seen when I went to print something.  The setup wizards couldn’t find it, and despite knowing the precise IP address of the printer, couldn’t get it to connect.

I tried a few more times connecting to the Vanderbilt network before attempting a new strategy: creating my own wireless network.  My computer would get internet from the ethernet while pushing out my own personal wifi network to which the printer could connect.  No dice.  The light turned green, but the printer was conspicuously missing from the list.  My patience was running out.

Using a few more geeky tricks, I tried valiantly to enable wireless printing, but was thwarted at every turn.  Two hours later and my printer was still not setup.

Wired Defeat

Having lost the battle to set up wireless printing, I conceded to having to unplug all the connections to my laptop and plug in to the printer over by the closet.  But even to enable wired printing, I was again stopped by the merciless setup wizards!  Apparently having the proper driver installed and adding the printer via my mac’s settings wasn’t going to fly with Lexmark.  I had to go through the arduous setup wizards AGAIN.

My printer remains in my closet, a constant reminder of how the subpar engineering and designers at Lexmark prevented me from doing what their marketers so grandly touted as a main feature.  I don’t mean to be rude, Lexmark, but with all due respect, perhaps you should test your products a little more before shipping them.

Consumer Advice in Summary

Learn from my mistake: Do not buy the Lexmark X4650 if you want a printer that does wireless printing, is easy to setup, and has cheap ink.

Your Turn

Do you have a printer or other piece of technology that failed to live up to its marketing? Vent below and let the world know why they shouldn’t buy it!