Multifunctions

Definition          

Multifunction printers are advanced appliances that perform functions for which dedicated peripherals were required in the past. One of the fruits of digital convergence, multifunction printers can be used not only to print your documents, but to scan them too, a combination that makes them the ideal backup photocopier for occasional use. Some models also feature more advanced functions, such as a fax, multiple paper trays or duplex printing.

Choosing your multifunction printer

Printing technology

Ink jet printing is today the most common technology used in printers intended for the general public. Ink jet printers are affordable, versatile and offer a very high print quality, especially in color. Some range-topping models even claim to offer a quality equivalent to that of photo labs.

Laser printers have higher production costs and there are very few affordable color laser models. And this technology is not suited to mixing colors, since the pages are often printed in one pass per primary color. Consequently, laser printers are not very good at printing photos.

Format

While the vast majority of printers make do with the classic A4/Letter format, some multifunction systems can handle other formats too. All these printers can also be used to print out smaller formats, including photo formats on special paper or envelopes.

Printing speed

The speed at which pages are printed is determined essentially by the printing technology and the type of document. Speed is an important factor if you plan to print out large volumes, and in particular for professional purposes. While some ink jet systems can print almost as fast as laser jets, their toner cartridges do not last as long.

Scanner

The scan, photocopy and, sometimes, fax functions are all based on the scanner. Depending on the way you plan to use your multifunction printer (as an occasional photocopier, archiving, printing photos), you will need to take a close look at the resolution of the scanner (expressed in pixels, the resolution represents the quantity of details that the scanner can capture) and the color depth (expressed in bits, the color depth corresponds to the quantity of colors that the scanner is capable of recognizing).              

Fax

Certain models also include a fax, some of which can be used in standalone mode, while others are also capable of faxing documents from your computer. Color faxes are also available, provided that the machine at the receiving end is also compatible.

Connectivity

Since they can be used for a broad range of purposes, multifunction printers are also equipped with different types of connections. They are usually connected to the computer by a USB port for the printing and scanning functions. But some models are also capable of sharing functions over the network, either over an Ethernet connection or by integrated Wi-Fi. Some models are also fitted with USB ports on the front panel and integrate the technology required to print directly from compatible digital cameras. Others are Bluetooth-compliant, so you can print out from your mobile phone. Finally, a lot of models are also fitted with integrated memory cards, so you can print out your photos without having to use your computer.

Which multifunction printer for which use?

The various technologies offer solutions that meet the needs of every type of user.

If you only print out small quantities of documents on an occasional basis, then an entry-level ink jet multifunction printer is an affordable and versatile way of printing out all sorts of documents, including photos, of a perfectly satisfactory quality. But it will not be able to match the quality offered by the dedicated models that rival photo labs. The main drawback is their toner cartridges, which are expensive and small, resulting in a relatively high cost per page. They are not very well suited to office or business environments, where printing volumes are much higher.

In this case, a higher-ranging ink jet printer, with one toner cartridge per color, will cut the cost per page significantly, while offering a superior print quality worthy of a machine higher up the range. These models are well suited to printing photos and, with the right paper, can produce quality images worthy of any photo lab. The ideal solution for printing out your snapshots.

If you print out more than about 100 pages a month, then you need to take a look at the laser models, which are unbeatable in terms of speed and printing quality of tables and text, but still have some way to go when it comes to color printing. Laser machines are less well suited to printing photos than ink jet printers. Consequently, laser printers are usually only found in the office. Their cost per page is also significantly lower than their ink jet equivalents and the consumables are capable of printing several thousand pages, meaning that they have to be replaced less frequently. The feed trays are much bigger and better suited to shared use on a company network.

Finally, you may also want to take a closer look at the system's other features, and the connectivity in particular, depending on your environment and your photographic equipment. If you have several computers at home, and in particular laptop computers, then a Wi-Fi connection will make your printer easier to use, while sharing it between as many workstations as possible. In business environments, a network connection, by wire or wireless, is pretty well essential.

Similarly, depending on the types of documents you print out most frequently and the paper you use, duplex printing may be useful, plus support for heavier paper or a document feeder for the scanner and fax functions.