| Multifunction printers are the ultimate all-in-one device | | | | The printer itself is usually either a laser or inkjet; |
| for any office. Combining the functionality of a printer | | | | however, the higher end models tend to favour the |
| along with any combination of scanner, copier and fax, | | | | speed and long-term cost effectiveness afforded by |
| they provide a fantastic opportunity to streamline a | | | | the laser. Inkjets have the advantage when it comes |
| workplace thanks to their comparatively compact size. | | | | to producing high quality prints with excellent colour |
| The models themselves are extremely diverse. Some | | | | definition, so would benefit anybody looking to produce |
| simply incorporate a standard laser or inkjet printer | | | | images regularly. Lasers on the other hand churn out |
| with a scanner. These tend to be the cheapest | | | | high volumes of print in double quick time. The image is |
| models and are likely to only set you back a little over | | | | of a reasonable quality and there is no drying time due |
| 100GBP. The comparative quality of these devices to | | | | to the use of a powder based ink toner - as opposed |
| their equivalent standalone devices is reasonably good. | | | | to the liquids used in inkjets. |
| Some might be slightly lacking, but the vast majority | | | | Connectivity is another thing to consider. Many |
| provide a pretty decent standard of quality. | | | | multifunction devices will allow the printer to be |
| At the top end of the scale, the cost of multifunction | | | | networked with multiple stations, whilst some also |
| printers can reach many thousands of pounds. In this | | | | include USB ports to allow instant connection. |
| instance you can expect the full works. This means | | | | However, the newest technological development is |
| numerous input trays, exceptional scanner and copier | | | | Wi-Fi. By utilising an Internet connection, just as you |
| functionality as well a colour laser printer that is | | | | would with a wireless router, you can connect |
| anything but average. In appearance they bear more | | | | numerous devices without cables trailing across your |
| of a resemblance to a copier than they do your | | | | office. |
| everyday laser printer. Ordinarily a tall structure with an | | | | Of course there are numerous other considerations |
| A3 scanner on the top. | | | | that you might want to bear in mind, such as the size |
| One specific feature that you might be interested in is | | | | and number of paper trays, the number of pages it |
| duplex printing. This isn't a prerequisite for many, but | | | | can print per minute (represented as a number follow |
| when a model is referred to as a duplex multifunction | | | | by 'ppm') and whether or not you want a colour |
| printer, this means that it has the ability to print on both | | | | device - on the understanding that mono printers tend |
| sides of the paper. In the long run this could well help | | | | to be significantly cheaper as they only require a single |
| you to save paper, money and time. It will also make | | | | black toner. |
| printing larger documents far easier, taking out any | | | | So as you can probably gather from the array of |
| manual processes that you may have to do in the | | | | features that these devices offer, you shouldn't be |
| past. | | | | stuck for choice when it comes to finding a |
| The fax element is very common, but it isn't present | | | | multifunction printer. There are hundreds of models on |
| on all models. So if you are looking to incorporate a | | | | the market, with devices from all of the leading |
| fax with your printing, make sure you check the | | | | manufacturers. Multifunction printers are a great way |
| specification fully to ensure that it is present in the | | | | to save space and money for any office and are built |
| model you want. The fax function works just as it | | | | to manage all capacities. They can be found in almost |
| would in a conventional fax machine, using the printer | | | | all budget ranges too, so whether you're buying for a |
| and scanner functions to send and even receive | | | | busy workplace or for your home, there should be |
| messages. | | | | something to suit. |