Lexmark CX522ade: touchscreen color MFP with reversing duplex scanning review

Touchscreen control with reversing duplex capture

The Lexmark CX522ade combines a 4.3-inch touchscreen with shared color printing, copying, computer scanning and analog fax. It is a useful earlier office reference when automatic two-sided document capture matters, but a single-pass feeder is unnecessary. Its 50-sheet reversing feeder is the deciding distinction: the larger screen and higher print rating do not change that scanning mechanism.

The exact US record is part 42C7360, marked discontinued. Check the unit's suffix, regional consumables, installed options and current software before comparing a particular offer. This description comes from original specifications and operating instructions, without a claim of hands-on testing, present stock or coverage for an individual machine.

Choose the correct route for each original

The flatbed and feeder serve different material. The original service manual positively supports Letter, Legal and A4 through the feeder, while excluding Legal, Oficio and Folio from the glass. Letter and A4 are supported flatbed sizes. Use the glass for appropriate originals that should not feed, and use the feeder for compatible multipage or two-sided documents. Legal feeding does not create a Legal-sized flatbed.

For Letter originals, declared simplex scanning reaches 50 black or 32 color sides per minute; reversing duplex is separately 23 black or 14 color sides per minute. A4 has its own figures. A two-sided batch therefore deserves a mechanism-based comparison with a single-pass model rather than a comparison using only the fastest scanning number. Actual job time also depends on the selected settings, destination and software.

Keep printing throughput separate from paper capacity

Lexmark rates one-sided Letter printing at up to 35 pages per minute in black or color, with automatic duplex at 17.5 Letter sides per minute. Letter, Legal and A4 have positive support in the main tray and automatic print duplex path. Those print ratings are distinct from the feeder's scan-side rates and are manufacturer declarations rather than measured results here.

The recommendation is 1,500–8,500 printed pages monthly, compared with an 85,000-page maximum duty cycle. Base input is still 250+1 at the stated 20-pound or 75-gsm paper weight: a 250-sheet main tray and one-sheet manual slot. Optional expansion to 1450+1 needs a 650-sheet duo assembly and an additional 550-sheet drawer below it. Verify the actual supplied options and driver setup. Envelopes require their separate one-sided loading routine.

Wired sharing, computer scanning and analog fax

The US model page explicitly lists USB-connected and network-connected computers as scanning destinations. Use the Type-B computer port for the direct arrangement or gigabit Ethernet for shared networking. The guide explains network ScanBack profiles and compatible computer scanning tools. A flash-drive destination at a Type-A port is a different routine and should not be confused with scanning to a host computer.

AirPrint and Mopria are documented on a suitable shared network. A mobile device can use office Wi-Fi while the printer remains wired; the optional MarkNet N8372 card is not included radio hardware. Confidential printing requires a compatible submission method and a PIN-protected job released at the panel. Verify the exact software workflow rather than expecting all print applications to provide the same controls.

The analog fax modem needs a supported active telephone-line arrangement and completed setup. Separate subscription-based etherFAX or licensed FoIP services have their own requirements. The optional disk and OCR conditions also matter for searchable or highly compressed PDFs; a file-format list should not be treated as proof that all associated options come with the base printer.

Supplies and the final fit check

Supplied toner is declared at 3,000 black pages and 2,000 pages for each color under ISO/IEC 19798. Exact US higher-yield replacements include 78C1XK0 black at 8,500 pages and 78C1XC0, 78C1XM0 and 78C1XY0 colors at 5,000 each. Match region and Return Program conditions, and distinguish imaging, developer and waste components from toner. Declared yield alone is not a current ownership-cost calculation.

The body measures 17.4 inches wide, 23.1 deep and 18.2 high at 60 pounds. Allow space for originals, doors and service, and inspect the actual electrical label and cord. Choose the CX522ade for the documented wired MFP routine when reversing capture is adequate. Compare an exact single-pass or wireless configuration when those capabilities are essential.