Lexmark MS420 Series

The Lexmark MS420 Series (MS421dn) is a single-function monochrome laser sized for small offices that print 1,500-5,000 pages a month and want speed without paying for a workgroup machine. It runs 42 ppm at 1,200 x 1,200 dpi (with a 2,400 IQ mode for sharp text), first page out in 6.25 seconds, integrated duplex, a 350-sheet input tray expandable to 900 sheets, and a 100,000-page rated monthly duty cycle. Power is a 1 GHz dual-core with 512 MB RAM, connectivity is USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet (Wi-Fi only on the dw variant). The honest gotcha buyers run into: it's a print-only device with a tiny two-line display, so if you want any kind of touchscreen workflow or scan/copy/fax, get the MX420 instead. And if your monthly volume is under 800 pages, you're paying for a 100K duty cycle you'll never touch — a smaller Lexmark or Brother saves real money up front.