WHAT'S HOT: The Z55se Color Jetprinter makes short work of text jobs--at 6.4 pages per minute, it posted faster times than the comparably priced Epson Stylus C62 or HP Deskjet 3820. We also liked the look of the clean, crisp text on ordinary paper and of the detailed glossy photos (though in our test samples, the colors looked somewhat off--skin tones were ashen and colors seemed muted). Gray-scales and ordinary color graphics showed reasonable detail but had a grainy texture and slightly striped look. Linux users will appreciate the Linux drivers included on the installation CD.

Lexmark designed the Z55se to eliminate two minor inconveniences for users: It aligns its printheads by itself, and it autodetects the paper type for optimum print quality. In addition, it alerts you with voice notification to such "printing events" as an empty paper tray or ink cartridge (you can turn this feature off if it annoys you).

WHAT'S NOT: The Z55se's photo printing speed of 0.2 ppm is among the slowest we've seen. Our test photos showed good detail but skin tones were ashen.

The printer's output tray seems as though it could break easily. Ordinarily it has plenty of support because it rests directly on your desk, but don't let it hang off the desk's edge, where your cat might try to nap on it. The Z55se's paper documentation consists of a simple poster and a brief manual that focuses mostly on printing special projects; on-screen documentation is chopped up into bite-size pieces instead of delivering wisdom in substantial, coherent chunks.

WHAT ELSE: Lexmark's ink costs stay with the pack: Text, at 5.0 cents per page, is only slightly more expensive than average, while light color work runs a bit below the average cost. Black cartridges are $30 and color cartridges are $35. The Z55se's color graphics speed is a pedestrian but respectable 1.4 ppm.

When you don't need the printer, you can seal it up and recapture some desk space by sliding the output tray completely underneath and folding the input tray closed. The power supply is a big external block, but with long cords on both ends, it won't block access to sockets.

UPSHOT: The Z55se Color Jetprinter's fast, clean text printing definitely speaks to the home-office crowd, while its detailed glossy photos could pinch-hit in the family room.

SUMMARY

Lexmark Z55se Color Jetprinter No monochrome or color print speed ratings available from the vendor, 600-by-600-dpi maximum resolution, 100 sheets input, 50 output $115 888/539-6275 www.lexmark.com