Multifunction and All-in-One Printer Help Guide

Buying a new multifunction or all-in-one printer can be overwhelming. Our multifunction/all-in-one printer help will guide you through the decision making process.

What is the difference between a multifunction or all-in-one device and a regular printer?
What are the typical features of multifunction or all-in-one printers, and what do they do?
What features do I really need in a multifunction or all-in-one printer?
What are the network connectivity considerations?
What does 'dpi' mean?
Why is memory important in a printer?

A multifunction device reduces clutter in any office of any size by offering fax, copier, and scanner functionality in addition to being a printer. It is especially popular among small business owners seeking to save space and money.

Most every multifunction device will serve as a standalone printer, using either inkjet or laser toner. Other common features include image and page scanning, faxing pages over a phone line, and making copies of documents.

Consider what would be your most important need in a multifunction device, be it printing, scanning, copying, or faxing. Most machines can print in color but it often drags down overall printing speed. This could be an important consideration depending on the number of users in your office. Some multifunction devices have a built-in memory card reader, useful for printing digital still photos directly. A flatbed system is a great feature for scanning and copying, giving you more options for working with odd-sized documents. Faxing a multipage document is made easier with an auto document feeder. PC faxing is a common feature that allows you to send and receive faxes through your computer.

If you plan on using your multifunction on a LAN network, then you may have to purchase an additional network card if the multifunction does not have one already built in. The card should support all standard networking protocols, but it would be best to check compatibility with your office network first.

Standing for "dots per inch," dpi is a measure of how many dots of ink or toner a printer can place inside an inch. A printer with 300 dpi easily suffices for basic text printing jobs. A higher dpi is needed to accurately print higher-resolution images, such as pictures and charts that use gradations and different shades of gray.

Memory size has an effect on overall printing speed, especially with images or documents with large file sizes. For the fax function, previously faxed documents can be held in memory and easily re-faxed without having to scan the original documents again.