Learn More About All–in–Ones

What kind of multifunction machine do you need?

Inkjet multifunction machine

Ideal for: Anyone who prints 50 pages or fewer per day (as well as faxes, copies, or scans 30 pages or fewer per day), and who wants to save the money — and spare the space — that buying four separate machines and cables would require. If you plan to print in color, choose an inkjet multifunction over a laser multifunction machine.

Key features:

Prints in both color and black–and–white (which requires separate ink cartridges). Depending on the model, print speed ranges from 8 to up to 20 draft pages per minute for black and white and 7 to up to 16 pages per minute for color.
Color printing resolution starts at 600x600 DPI (dots per inch) for basic models, then moves to 1200x1200 DPI, and up to 4800x1200 DPI for higher–end models. The mid to high DPI resolutions are best for printing graphics and "final draft" digital photographs.
Copying capabilities include reduction and enlargement capabilities (25%–400%). Print speed ranges from 2 to up to 20 copies per minute. Do not collate or create two–sided copies, though many models do come with an Auto Document Feeder (ADF).
Built–in scanner can be of either a sheet–fed or a flatbed design. Opt for a flatbed scanner if you want to scan or copy bound documents, such as books or magazines, and not just flat pages.
Inkjet multifunctions can scan color images up to 1200x4800 DPI (dots per inch) in resolution. This is sufficient for sharp, accurate color representation.
Fax speed and the number of pages that can be stored for later faxing depend on fax memory (measured in megabytes, MB). At 2MB, faxes are sent at 6 seconds per page, and up to 100 pages can be stored for later faxing. At 8 MB, faxes are sent at roughly three seconds per page, and up to 480 pages can be stored for later faxing.
A model that includes PC faxing as a feature enables users to send a fax directly from their computer — thereby saving on ink, paper, and clutter.
Some models have a built–in memory card slot to print directly from digital cameras and digital camera removable memory cards (CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and Memory Stick).
Some models also add a telephone answering device (TAD), so phone calls can be made and accepted, and phone messages can also be recorded.

What’s available: Choose from a 3–in–one model that can print, copy, and scan, a 4–in–one model can also fax, and 5–in–one model can also scan and send computer faxes.

Tip: Check "maximum paper size" to determine if the unit can copy, scan, or print both letter and legal–sized, or just letter–sized documents.

Laser multifunction machine

Ideal for: Anyone who prints 50 pages or fewer per day (as well as faxes, copies, or scans 30 pages or fewer per day), and who wants to save the money — and spare the space — that buying four separate machines and cables would require. Unlike inkjet multifunctions, laser multifunction machines print only in black–and–white. They do, however, produce laser–quality prints and make copies at greater speeds.

Key features:

Prints high–quality, black–and–white text at speeds from 10 pages to up to 25 pages per minute. Though inkjet multifunction speeds are comparable, their speeds typically describe draft–quality print speeds.
Depending on the model, produces 10, 15, or as many as 25 copies per minute. Reduction and enlargement capabilities (25%–400%).
Many models come with an Auto Document Feeder (ADF).
Built–in scanner can be of either a sheet–fed or a flatbed design. Opt for a flatbed scanner if you want to scan or copy bound documents, such as books or magazines, and not just flat pages.
Laser, like inkjet, multifunction machines can scan color images up to 1200x4800 DPI (dots per inch) in resolution. This is more than sufficient for sharp, accurate color representation.
Fax capability featuring 8MB (megabytes) of memory, which allows for speeds of approximately three seconds per page, and storage of up to 500 pages for later faxing.
A model that adds PC faxing as a feature enables users to send a fax directly from their computer — thereby saving on ink, paper, and clutter.
Some models also add a telephone and a telephone answering device (TAD), so phone calls can be made and accepted, and phone messages can also be recorded.
High–end models are network ready, which means they come with a print server and a network port that can be linked to an Ethernet.

What's available: Choose from a 3–in–one model that can print, copy, and scan, a 4–in–one model can also fax, and 5–in–one model can also scan and send computer faxes.

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