An inkjet printer assembly includes a cartridge having an integrated pagewidth printhead integrated circuit (IC); a cradle for receiving the cartridge; an air compressor for providing compressed air to the cartridge, the air compressor including a fan housing, an air filter, and an impeller, the fan housing having an air outlet adapted to mate with an air inlet port of the cartridge; a motor having a transmission assembly provided with a direct drive coupling from a spindle of the motor to the impeller of the air compressor; and a controller for determining a performance characteristic of the cartridge and to control an operation the printhead IC in response to the determined performance characteristic of the cartridge.