On April 7, 2003 Lexmark introduced the E321 and E323 as replacements for their E320 and E322 (Oct. 2001) monochrome laser printers. The new machines are based on the same print engines as their predecessors, but feature speeds of 20 pages per minute (ppm) and first page out time of 9.5 seconds, compared to the 320/322’s 16 ppm and first page out of 12 seconds. Both the processor and memory of the new machines has been increased over those of the E320 and E322, but most other features remain unchanged.
Based on feedback from customer surveys, Lexmark changed the color of the new printers from beige to black and added a “job cancel” button to the front of the machines.
New cartridges unique to the E321/323 are available in both Return (Prebate) and Non-Return (Non-Prebate) versions, and both are chipped. Both printers ship with a 1,500-page starter cartridge, and replacement cartridges are available in 3,000-page standard yield and 6,000-page high yield versions. The OEM cartridge label states that the E220 is interchangeable with the E321/323 (but not with the newer E320/322 models), but is offered only in a 2,500-page standard-yield version.
A comparison of the E321/323, E220 and E320/322 components found that the E321/323 and E220 doctor bars are made of aluminum, compared to the steel bar in the E320/322. Doctor bar putty and sealing strip is used in each model and the inner and outer sealing blades, developer rollers and adder rollers appear the same. Wiper blades physically appear interchangeable between all cartridges, and the recovery blades are physically the same size. Static Control’s Imaging Labs are in the process of testing the E220’s components for use in the E321/323 cartridges, and will provide information as soon as it becomes available.