Looking to make your home office more efficient? Consider a multifunction center (MFC) printer, also known as a multi-device or all-in-one printer. These machines combine standard printer functionality with the ability to fax, scan, and copy—all within one manageable footprint.
With an MFC printer, you can reclaim your desk space and stop making trips to the office center just to scan a photo or send a fax. More functions mean more choices. But, once you determine your primary needs, the selection process becomes easier.
Pick a Task, Any Task
Before researching MFC printers, take a moment to consider the available functions. How important is each one, and which will you use most?
Not all MFC printers have fax capabilities, so if faxing is important to you, be sure to find one that does. (Keep in mind your computer may have fax software, so you might not need this particular feature.) Additional considerations include whether you want the ability to fax even when your computer is off and whether you need speed dial, or fax memory.
If the print function is most important, examine the same features that you would on a single-function printer. The print path is key if you commonly use such nonstandard media as envelopes, labels, or card stock. If you print large volumes, consider paper capacity. And, if you want double-sided prints, look for a unit that allows duplexing. If you plan to do photo printing, find an MFC printer that includes a slot for memory cards, and be sure the cards your camera uses are compatible.
Copy quality is important if this is the main function for which you plan to use an MFC printer. Go to a store that carries such printers, and use several of them to make test copies. Look for sharp edges, alignment of text, and vivid colors. Avoid units that produce copies that are blurry or show extra lines or other markings.
Do you plan to use your MFC printer primarily for scanning? If so, consider document placement options, which include a document feeder or flatbed arrangement. If you will be scanning books, magazines, or other objects that do not fit through a feeder, then the flatbed option is a better choice. Optical character recognition (OCR), which requires special software, is useful if you want text images converted to text for formatting or editing.
Feature Checklist
Once you know your priorities, you can further narrow your selection by checking out the details:
• Laser versus inkjet. Although inkjet machines are typically slower and more expensive to operate, they produce a higher-quality output.
• Monochrome versus color. Simply put, if you want to print in color or make color copies in addition to black and white, you need a color-capable machine.
• Cost of consumables. Remember to include paper and ink or toner cartridge costs as you tally up the total price.
• Bit depth. This specification measures scan quality. Look for a unit with a bit depth between 24 and 36.
• Memory. The more memory a machine has, the faster it will print. Look for at least 0.5 megabytes of standard memory.
• Resolution. A higher resolution means better print quality. Look for at least 600 dpi for standard printing or higher for more demanding tasks.
System Integration
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the product you choose will work well with your existing system. Measure the desk space you have available, and check the dimensions of each MFC printer to ensure that the unit you choose will fit. Find out what software comes with each machine and whether you will need to purchase additional applications, such as OCR. If you plan to use your printer through a network, be sure it is enabled for a wired or wireless setup (depending on which you plan to use).
Product Recommendations
HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Laser Printer
Hewlett-Packard’s print legacy has been a proud one and now it expands that to offer multi-functional devices with a top rated printer as its core. The HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Laser Printer ( $279.95) can meet your needs in a variety of print, scan and fax modes. Its laser printer is capable of a maximum of 26 ppm speed with the first page available in 8.5 seconds and has a maximum print resolution of 1200x1200 dpi.
On the copy front it can handle up to 15 ppm with a maximum resolution of 1200x1200 with a maximum run of 99 copies at one time. Documents can be enlarged by as much as 400% or reduced by as much as 25%.
The plain paper fax features the ability fax at resolutions up to 300x300 dpi, and has a memory capacity of 400 pages while being able to broadcast to 112 stations. Faxes can be sent directly from a PC and it has the ability to be networked, enabling large groups of users’ access to the printers’ capabilities.
Lexmark X364dn Laser Monochrome Multifunction Duplex/Network 4-1 Printer
Looking for a high-speed solution to your faxing, scanning and printing needs? Then Lexmark believes it has the product for you in the Lexmark X364dn Laser Monochrome Multifunction Duplex/Network 4-1 Printer ($499.95). Designed for small work groups, the printer side of the machine is capable of output up to 35 ppm and the first page out in as fast as 7 seconds with a maximum resolution of 1200x1200 dpi. The machine features duplex printing and supports more than a dozen media types ranging from A5 to Folio in sizes and several types including transparencies and card stock in types.
On the scanning side, it has a 600x600 dpi resolution and is capable of 21 sides per minute and can make a copy in as fast as 8 seconds. It has an integrated 33.6 kbps fax. With all of the speed the multifunctional device also includes a cable-free option with the Lexmark X364dw, a Wi-Fi certified 802.11n draft 2.0 wireless MFP.
Brother MFC-9320CW Digital All-in-One Multi-Function Center
A touch of color can enhance a professional presentation and for customers that want that included in the mix of a multifunctional device there is the Brother MFC-9320CW Digital All-in-One Multi-Function Center ($419.95). Built around a color inkjet printer with a maximum resolution of 600 x 2400 dpi the Brother MFC-9320CW brings a lot to the party. It is capable of printing at 17 ppm in both color and black and white mode. It has an integrated 33.6K fax modem and supports both black and white and color faxing and has the ability to store 208 dial locations and a 600 page memory.
Both color and black-and-white copying are supported as well and it has the ability to enlarge images up 400% and reduce them by 25%. Scanning also is in both color and B&W modes and it has a digital resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi. It comes with a range of compliment software including optical character recognition for both Macintosh and Windows computers. It is designed to be networked and supports a number of paper types.
