Tips for Buying a Multifunction Printer Video. Which is the best all in one printer scanner copier fax? What features to look out for in a printer scanner copier fax machine? What is the difference between color printer copier fax scanner and laser printer scanner copier fax? Here are some things you should know before you buy a multifunction copier fax scanner printer.
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All in one multifunction copier fax scanner printer is the ideal solution for small and home offices. Having a multifunction machine that prints, faxes, scans, and copies is not only a great way to save money, it doesn’t make sense to have so many different machines each performing individual tasks when you only need it once in a blue moon.
The only drawback with these multifunction machines is their performance, like the old saying goes, jack of all trades master of none. If you need a machine that does basic scanning, printing and faxing, then an all in one multifunction printer is the solution.
I’m currently looking at purchasing an all in one printer scanner copier fax machine; I’ve compiled a simple list of features to look out if you happened to be buying one.
Printer Scanner Copier Fax Functions
Fax/Modem speed is an important factor to consider, an integrated fax/modem must have a minimum speed of 33kbps. This enables the faxes to go through faster in turn saving you money. Cheaper machines tend to have a slower modem, this will cost you more in faxing. If the modem fax speed is slow, colour faxing and fax broadcasting could cost you more. Go for a machine that offers full fax functions.
Note: Minimum fax modem speed is 33kbps for black and white faxes.
Printer Scanner Copier Resolution
It is obvious that the higher the dpi the better the image quality, most machines come with a resolution of 600 x 600dpi. This resolution is adequate for a black and white printing and scanning. However, if you are dealing with colour documents, 600dpi x 600dpi is simply not enough, the image will be grainy when scanned in digital format or printed out in colour. The ideal resolution for colour documents is 1200dpi x 600dpi.
Note: Minimum 600 x 600dpi for black and white.
Printer Scanner Copier Fax Memory
Just like your computer, the more RAM it has the better it performs. When it comes to faxing, printing and scanning documents, the lack of memory is noticeable. Most low end multifunction printers come with a built in 2MB memory, while 8MB is the standard in today’s market, it is advisable to have at least 16MB of memory, and this will be useful if you often work with large documents. Certain machine’s memory is expandable; do keep an eye on this feature for it might come in handy during upgrades.
Note: Minimum 8MB, ideal 16MB
Printer Scanner Copier Fax Speed
Speed is not much of a factor unless you are rushing for submission or deadline. If possible, get a fast multifunction printer. You will notice the difference between 11 ppm and 30ppm when you are copying and printing large quantities of documents (50 sheets). Apart from that, speed is not much of an important factor in a multifunction printer.
Note: The faster the better, minimum speed 22ppm
Laser or Ink printer scanner copier fax
Laser printer is known for its speed, but most of all its print is known to last for years and does not smear. However, the laser cartridge is known to be expensive with more page output, whereas Ink printers have less output and the quality is not as good as a laser printer; the major flaw with inkjet printers is the output not being waterproof.
Note: Laser is better but more expensive
other things to note
- Ink – This is the cash cow for all printer manufacturers. Having more milliliters in an ink cartridge does not guarantee more output in terms of sheets. For instant, certain manufacture’s ink cartridge contain 15ml of ink but due to the lack of efficiency, it managed to print 5000 pages as oppose to its competitor’s 10ml ink with the same amount of output but cost less when purchased.
- After sales service – It doesn’t make any sense to drive 1 hour to the service center, right? It is important that after sales service is up to the mark and easily accessible.
- Online reviews – Nothing beats peer reviews, unlike newspaper and magazines, these users provide their own firsthand experience.
- Operating system – Make sure it works with both Windows and Mac.
Other things to note
Don’t want to invest in an expensive fax machine? Read this article on how to send and receive fax online using your computer without a fax machine.
This is very helpful information. Thank you. i will use this when searching for the right machine.
Best logical analysis! Many reviews just blather on and do not compare or tell you what the ranges are. I copied the list and will use it when researching. Also helped me set my priorities.
Hello, I read your information and believe it or not I had already purchased a Hewlett Parker printer yesterday at Ft. Buchanan Base. I knew what I wanted and thought I would have to pay $200.00 but no I found a HP for $89.00 with all in one printer, fax, scanner, and copier. I felt I had bought something that was not good. When I got home my son said you made a good purchase this is very good and compatiable with the hard drive. He will be setting up with the instruction this afternoon. I bought the right one. Thank you for your information that was what convinced me I bought a good one. You were very thorough. Love you Anna Elva
hi
can you tell me the model no. of the printer which you had bought ?
i also want to buy a hp printer at the same range and matched function
thanks
WHAT MODEL WAS THAT AND WHAT DID IT COST
I fax online so I don’t need that capability at all. But I do need to scan literally hundreds of pages so I can save them as pdf to disk, and my old multi-purpose isn’t able to handle that sort of volume with any grace at all. Anybody got a recommendation for that?
Thanks for your important suggetion but i want some more favour from your’s side for suggesting some company products in a list (low-High MRP)for printer-scanner-copier all in one (Fax not necessory) with best efficiency.
may i get the quotation of multifunction 5 in 1 machine which contains fax, photocopy, scanner,printer n phone
May I get the quotation of multifunction 5 in 1 machine which contains scanner, printer, fax, photocopy and printer and phone. Do you have a supplier here in the Philippines. Thanks a lot.
Hi, Good morning
C if u can help me as I’m looking for 5 in one machine (scaner,copier,fax,printer and phone)
plz guide me to best one with less reunning expeces. many thanks
hi raja
i am working in international company which can help you to get good quality of machine (all including what you want from your machine )by good price and good training to used.
i hope to contact me by email that i can send you all quatations of machine .
thank you
han
I appreciate your page very much. I am not a technical person but could easily follow your advice as to what to look for before buying. Please tell me what brand / price / with best features, as you indicated in your guidelines, but for a Mac compatible printer.
Thanks!
Thank you.. i’m choosing between Hp J4660 and Canon mx 328/348.
can u please advise me on a product, 3 in one( printer copier, scanner) that is fast and reliable. and easy to service as it will be used in a remote place.
Saron, if you are looking for a multifunction printer that is fast, reliable, and easy to use, I would recommend you look into getting one like I have. I own a SharpUSA multifunction printer and I couldn’t be happier with it. I find that Sharp offers great value for your money and I have always been impressed with how simple it is to use. In addition, I love their print quality because their colors turn out so vivid. I find that the Sharp multifunction printer offers every feature you could need and each one works beautifully. I have yet to find another brand where this is the case. Also, I have owned my Sharp printer for a long time now, and I have still never had even a single issue with it. Though I now work for Sharp, I can honestly say that I have always been impressed with the superior quality of their multifunction printers.
i want to ask your review about brother MFC-295CN . because i planning to buy it .. thanks!
The majority of ink jet printers are simply garbage. The ink is VERY expensive and often the print heads get clogged. The printer may be CHEAP but the operating cost (and aggravation) very HIGH. I’d had terrible results with Brother and Epson Ink Jet printers. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to print something only to fiddle around with cleanings, test pages, purchasing new ink jet cartridges and still ending up with crappy results. Lasers are the way to go. Less headache and they will ALWAYS print for you as they were designed that way. Stay away from Ink Jets… there should be a class action lawsuit against these manufacturers.
hey
i have no detail technical knowledge about electronics. but i want to buy office machine to my office (printer, scanner, coppier) in one machine.
thank you for your all advice urgently
plz tel me what is best 3 in one printer.
@anoop sharma – Personally, we prefer FujiXerox 205M for its sharpness. It is a B/W laser printer, suitable for office documents.
hi guide me to choose a well equipped printers scanners for my
i need a portabal coppier fax scaner printer for my apple 1139 17″ LAPTOP
Do not purchase the Canon Pixma MP530 – Disposable printer – in a short time after purchase you will get a code 5C10 which is disable your printer and you will be unable to use Ever again. It is a time-bomb, set to steal your monies. Do Not Purchase this Printer, Warning!
Could it be that you used ink from a different brand? what about warranty?
I need a scanner that I can use to scan photos into my laptop so that I can make heritage DVD’S for my children.