Lexmark’s Linux Secret

“Most of the time at Phoronix we focus on looking at the Linux
graphics performance of the software drivers and hardware, since
traditionally that has been one of the most troubling areas of
Linux hardware support. Tides though have turned as AMD continues
to back their own open-source strategy with providing documentation
and pushing out code that enables open-source hardware support from
3D acceleration to power management, while Intel continues to back
their fully open-source model too. Another area of hardware support
that has caused much grief for users has been with printer support.
Printers are not nearly as complex as a modern-day graphics
processor, but the different vendors have not been quick to offer
up any Linux support — and binary-only drivers frequently back the
ones that do. There is one printer manufacturer though that as of
last year has begun supporting Linux from top to bottom with their
entire line-up of printers. Not only are they providing CUPS
drivers, but also they are even printing Tux in the corner of every
box they ship right besides the Windows and Apple logos. Do you
know who we are talking about? Probably not, but it’s Lexmark.
After months of wrangling within the company, Lexmark has stepped
up to become a Linux and open-source friendly company. We are
seeing how far this Linux support extends as we try out the Lexmark
Pro905 Platinum multi-function printer.”

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