Lanier LF225M Printer Review
The Lanier LF225m is a multifunction laser printer for the small office or workgroup, with built-in scanning, copying, and faxing features. It lacks network connectivity, and speeds are limited to 16 pages per minute, but it handles a wide range of tasks and provides sharp output quality at a low price, and Lanier LF225m toner cartridges include the drum, making it easy to maintain.
Not only is the LF225m quite compact, it puts all of the major components within easy reach of the user. Not only is the 250-sheet input paper tray located in the front, but so are the single-sheet bypass slot and the output tray. There is an automatic document feeder with a capacity of 50 sheets, but no flatbed platen, which limits the accepted media for scanning, copying, and faxing. Scanning resolutions are also limited to resolutions of 400 dpi or less, which might be considered a drawback for some users.
The control panel is very straightforward, though fairly basic. The two-line LCD screen can display only simple information, but the full keypad and function buttons allow users to perform tasks quickly and easily. A Super G3 fax modem can transmit pages in around 2.5 seconds, and the unit can even store up to 125 pages in memory.
The design of replacement toners is somewhat unique in that the single black Lanier LF225m toner cartridge also includes a replacement drum, eliminating the need to replace it separately. This is a convenient feature, but it also makes the price of Lanier LF225m toner cartridges quite a bit higher, and users may be replacing the drum more often than necessary.
The Lanier LF225m certainly has some limitations, like its lack of a flatbed scanner and its small paper capacity, but it offers four functions in a very compact and affordable design. Operating costs are a bit high, however, so small offices with low volumes will be the best fit.
