Is The Printer Scanner Copier A Smart Buy Or An Amalgam Of Problems?

Doesn't it make sense to buy a printer, scanner, copier all in the one machine and save a ton of dough? Right - but then I read an Amazon review on a Brother MFC-5440CN Network Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, and Fax. Really disastrous. So what is the watchword when buying an all-in-one machine?

Number one, much will depend on how much of each function you will do. It's possible that with a big volume of printing in both high resolution color and contracts, etc. in black & white, you may need to consider two different machines. The printing speeds on those different jobs are vastly different and this in combination with ink costs, can be less expensive than trying to get it all in one.

Is the machine going to be limited to a small number of users? If it's going to be used continuously by many then it may be best to set up a network situation. Network routers are inexpensive and you can get a network card included with the machine. Network with a cable set up or network by wireless. The cost versus buying and running several machines should be less.

An all-in-one machine will have a "duty cycle" for the printer. Normally this means the number of pages per period that the machine is rated to cover. Get too low a rating and the machine will were out in a hurry and you'll face problems and high maintenance and replacement costs.

One of the heaviest items for a printing unit is cartridge cost. The coverage area designates expected production capacity for the ink or toner cartridges. Frankly, don't believe the numbers given. Try to locate an independent review. If one isn't available, go directly to the manufacturer and endeavor to unravel the sales speak on the matter. Ask for some evidence in a real world situation. If it's not forthcoming ask the dealer's rep for a customer reference that you can contact and get a hold of a real world person who can give you some real statistics.

Watch the speeds of competing offers. Obviously, black and white is considerably faster than color. If your application is a sales or marketing set up where your B & W printing is heavy and the bulk of the jobs you will do, concentrate on this aspect. See for yourself the actual speeds attained in a demonstration of the model you are considering.

Laser is faster than ink jet and more costly. Many offices work one fast printer for documents and another for color stuff used in marketing.