Multifunction Printers

Multifunctional printers  can provide you with a copier, scanner and printer in one compact device. Installation on the middles is easy and it doesn't usually take much, if any, software to initiate its multifunctional abilities.

Whether you have a home office or just not a lot of space, such as in a dorm room, or even if you just want to simplify your technological life, these are great contraptions. Plus, they don't include a fax machine, which really lowers the cost. Prices start at around $100, and of course, as with any printer, there are the additional maintenance costs, such as cartridge ink,  photo paper,  etc.

Top Products Canon Pixma MP 130  Epson Stylus CX 4600  HP PSC 1610  Lexmark X3350  P4350  P6250  Major Manufacturers Canon  Hewlett Packard  Dell  Epson  Brother  Lexmark  Samsung

Features To Look For

• Read Printers to learn about the basic components of printers before you get into the specifics of multifunctional printers.
• For professionals and office work you may want to invest in something more advanced such as an office inkjet all-in-one. A few of the models reviews in the Inkjet Printers  articles fir this description.
• Digital memory card slots that accept a variety of common memory cards are important if you want to be able to print photos from your digital camera without having to turn on your computer.
• Large, full-color, LCD screens also let you print pictures without turning on the computer. LCD preview screens are not the same as the little black and white ones, however, these less advanced screens can help choose options for printing as well.
• Ink cartridges should be easy to change. Check to see that they pop open easily and that they come out of their chassey smoothly.
• Technophobes be wary of overly complicated button interfaces. Your best option is a model with an LCD preview screen instead of a purely button-only system, such as on the Epson Stylus models.
• Removable scanner lids are essential in order to scan bulky items such as text books.
• USB and parallel ports should both be available if you have an old computer and are looking to upgrade in the future. Otherwise, new computers only need a USB port, while old computers need a parallel port.

The Future of Multifunction Printers

Since printing technology has reached critical mass, it is generally the features and print quality that now set the best printers apart from the competition. Nowadays, nearly all printers, whether inkjet or laser, feature some multifunctionality.