Also known as all-in-ones, multifunction printers fuse an inkjet or a laser printer with a copier, a scanner, and (sometimes) a fax machine, saving you space and money. Here's how to buy one of these many-faceted devices.
FEATURES
Multifunction printers (MFPs) are the Swiss Army knives of printers. They combine copier, scanner, printer, and, in some models, fax capabilities in one unit, making them perfect for home offices and small businesses. The best models include a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder for walk-up scanning, faxing, and copying of multipage documents.
RESOLUTION
Print resolution refers to the maximum number of dots per inch (dpi) an MFP creates, measured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a 600x600dpi laser-based MFP lays down a 1-inch square comprising 600 dots across by 600 dots down. A resolution of 600dpi is adequate for most text-printing tasks. For more-demanding jobs, consider models that print at 1,200dpi or higher.
PRINT SPEED
This spec measures how many pages or photos per minute (ppm) an MFP can print. Large workgroups should opt for a laser model for faster output. Home offices, however, can save money by choosing an inkjet-based MFP, which should provide enough speed for a small office.
CONNECTIVITY
Some MFPs support printing over a network right out of the box. Newer MFPs feature memory-card slots, as well as ports that allow for direct printing from supported cameras or external storage devices.
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