MULTIFUNCTION PRINTERS BUYING GUIDE

A great solution for home or small offices, multifunction devices combine useful machines like copiers, printers, scanners and fax machines in one. The cost of a multifunction device (MFD) is cheaper than purchasing each machine separately. MFDs come in an array of combinations and determining your needs up front will allow you to determine the best solution for your home or office.

Product Types:

Laserjet
A laser printer uses methods similar to a photocopier to print computer output on paper. The printer uses light rays from the laser to output to an electrically charged drum. The drum then picks up powdered toner, deposits it onto the paper and then fuses this surface with heat. The laser printer within a multifunction device is beneficial because of the low operating costs.

Inkjet
Inkjet printers work by dispersing precisely measured dots of ink onto a page. Generally, inkjet printers use three basic colors, cyan, yellow and magenta, along with black ink to create the final colors. Inkjet MFDs allow for maximum output flexibility. But, it if the MFD is going to be primarily used as a fax, then color printing may best be done by another machine.

Features to Consider:

Resolution
The resolution directly affects the quality of the final print output. A rule of thumb when choosing a MFD based on resolution is the higher the number, the better the print quality. Some contemporary standards for resolution are as follows: 600x600dpi, 1200x600dpi, 2400x600dpi.

Ink Cartridges
Most models of multifunction devices use combined color cartridges with a separate black and white cartridge. One interesting thing about the new generation of MFDs is that some models are released with individual color cartridges. Separating out cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges cuts down on waste and ultimately cuts down on cost.

PPM (Pages Per Minute)
PPM is the rate at which the device can output complete prints. There are a number of ways manufacturers gauge this output rate. The first rate comparison to look out for is between Black & White and Color. Color prints will take longer than B&W prints as they are using all the print heads to create their output. The second comparison to look for is the print rate based on quality. When sending a file to the printer for processing you have options for the quality level of the output. These qualities are generally listed as Draft, Normal, and Best.

Paper Capacity
The Paper Capacity of a printer is the number of blank sheets of paper the MFD can hold for a single run in its paper tray. It is common for a MFD to hold 250, 500, 1000, or even more depending on the model type. There are two ways that paper capacity can be gauged, on input and on output. Input capacity is the number of blank sheets the printer can hold in its input tray without causing errors. Output capacity is the number of printed sheets the printer can hold in its output tray after pages are printed.

Control Panel
The control panel is an important factor when selecting a multifunction device. A well-designed and user-friendly layout will help avoid frustration when using the machine.

Memory
Memory or RAM is a way of storing data from the prints that are sent into the printers queue. The more memory you have, the more prints you can send to the printer at once without it causing errors on the printer side. Common memory sizes are as follows 32MB, 64MB, and 128MB. Some printers also have the capability to be upgraded to greater levels of memory.

Interface/Connectivity
Interface refers to what type of cable and connector is used to connect the printer to the computer itself. The two standard types of interfaces are parallel (printer port) and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connections.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Some MFDs come with software that allows the user to scan a document and then save it onto the computer as a specific file type such as Microsoft Word. This technology allows the user to edit scanned documents.

Network Software
This is an option in some MFDs that allows for greater control of machines that are used over a network. There are many types of network software out there, it best to look for ones that include the following drivers; HP PCL 6, HP PCL 5e, PostScriptš Level 2. These are common options within these types of software.

Buying Tips:

1. Consider accessories such as extra trays for legal sized paper.
2. Consider MFDs with memory card readers for ease of use with digital cameras.
3. Review and compare manufacturers warranties.
4. Consider the size of the space you have available for a multifunction display in your home or office to help in the buying decision.
5. Look for a printer that is Energy Star compliant. These printers should save you a modest amount in electricity bills each year and are likely to last longer, since lower energy usage translates to lower demands on the cooling system.