Our take
The Lexmark C524n is a color laser printer for a wired desk or small office that needs print output but not copying or scanning. Lexmark lists up to 20 pages per minute on Letter, 350 sheets of standard input split between a 250-sheet tray and a 100-sheet multipurpose feeder, plus USB and Ethernet. The model does not provide automatic duplex; wireless print-server hardware is optional. Lexmark's reviewed U.S. page does not establish a recommended monthly workload, so speed and paper capacity should not be treated as substitutes for that missing guidance.
A small office that needs shared wired color output, can handle two-sided pages manually, and has separate scanning or copying equipment..
Choose another model if automatic duplex, built-in Wi-Fi, copy or scan functions, or a documented monthly recommendation is essential to your setup.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Lexmark identifies the exact C524n as a color laser printer with print-only operation.
- Ethernet and USB give a shared wired network route as well as direct attachment.
- The 250-sheet tray and 100-sheet multipurpose feeder provide 350 sheets before reloading.
What to weigh up
- The standard C524n does not offer automatic two-sided printing.
- Wireless print serving requires optional hardware rather than built-in Wi-Fi.
- The saved U.S. specification does not establish a recommended monthly volume.
The key details
| Model covered | C524n |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color print only |
| Print output | Up to 20 ppm on Letter; 350-sheet standard input |
| Two-sided printing | Ethernet and USB; no automatic duplex |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 9, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
A print-only color configuration
Lexmark describes the C524n as a color laser printer, not a multifunction machine. That distinction suits an office that already has a scanner or copier and wants a separate source of color pages. It will not handle a paper original that must be copied or digitized. Check the nameplate for the n suffix: a family-level C524 listing is not enough to verify the exact configuration being offered. The recommendation is limited to the documented printer functions and does not imply that every used unit includes working toner or intact paper handling.
The 350-sheet supply has two useful entry points
Lexmark lists a 250-sheet main tray and a 100-sheet multipurpose feeder, for 350 sheets of standard input. The larger tray can keep a common paper stock loaded while the multipurpose path accepts another supported size or media type. This is more flexible than a single small cassette, though the office should check the manual for supported weights and formats before relying on it for special stock. Tray capacity describes what can be loaded at once; it does not establish a recommended number of pages to print each month.
Plan for manual handling on two-sided jobs
Automatic duplex is unavailable on the standard C524n. A long report printed on both sides therefore needs another workflow, such as manually returning the stack or using a different printer with a duplex unit. Occasional short jobs may make that step manageable; recurring packets can turn it into avoidable handling and create more opportunities to misorder pages. Lexmark's reviewed specification does not establish manual-duplex support as a named feature either, so do not assume a driver option guarantees a supported, simple process on every operating system.
Ethernet is standard, while wireless is an add-on
The exact-model U.S. specifications list Ethernet and USB. Ethernet can connect the printer to a wired office network, and USB supports a direct workstation connection. Lexmark lists wireless print-server hardware as an option, so a standard C524n should not be represented as a Wi-Fi printer. If wireless placement matters, confirm that the particular unit includes the compatible accessory and that it can be configured with the intended computers. The product page establishes the model's ports, not the condition or accessory set of a seller's machine.
Do not infer a monthly workload from speed
Lexmark rates the C524n at up to 20 pages per minute on Letter, but the source checked for this model does not give a comparable recommended monthly range. A maximum speed is a test-condition rating, not a prediction for every color document, and it cannot fill the gap in workload advice. A buyer with a regular shared queue should seek exact-model guidance or compare a printer with a published recommended range. For an occasional color desk, the more direct questions may be whether Ethernet, paper capacity, and manual duplex match the routine.
What else to compare
Compare a wireless color printer with standard duplex if the printer must sit away from a wired network and regularly produce two-sided packets.
Before you buy
Does the C524n print on both sides automatically?
No. Lexmark's U.S. specifications state that automatic duplex is unavailable on the standard C524n.
Can the C524n join a wired office network?
Yes. Lexmark lists Ethernet for the C524n, alongside USB for a direct computer connection.
Does Lexmark publish a monthly recommended range?
The reviewed Lexmark C524n U.S. specification does not establish a recommended monthly page range.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Lexmark C524n U.S. specifications ↗ — checked October 9, 2026.
- Lexmark C524n U.S. specifications: output, speed, paper, interfaces, duplex, and optional wireless ↗ — checked October 9, 2026.
- Search this model on Amazon · Tagged exact-model Amazon search; no exact ASIN or current offer is asserted ↗Paid link · We may earn a commission. — checked October 9, 2026.
The decision
The C524n provides wired color printing and a two-part 350-sheet input, with manual duplex and optional wireless hardware as the central compromises.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.