The Lexmark MS817 and MS818 monochrome laser printers have OEM-rated print speeds of 55 and 60 letter-size pages per minute (ppm) respectively, and duty cycle ratings of up to 250,000 and 300,000 letter-size pages per month respectively.

The supplies set is made up of a toner cartridge and an imaging unit that contains the drum. Replacement toner cartridges are available in three yields - 11,000 page standard, 25,000 page high and 45,000 page extra high yields. However, only the MS818 models uses the extra high yield cartridge. The drum (imaging) unit yields approximately 100,000 pages. All yields are based on letter-size pages.

Printers ship with starter return program cartridges yielding 10,000 pages, and a chip is required on all toner cartridges for correct printer operation.

Lexmark MS818