A multifunction office machine is a single unit that can operate as a printer, scanner, copier or fax machine. These devices are useful to many homes and offices, as combining these functions can save money and time, making daily life a bit easier. But despite the fact that many multifunction office machines offer similar features, it is still important that the unit you choose matches your needs.


Hewlett-Packard Photosmart C5280 All-in-One Printer, Scanner, Copier

Hewlett-Packard's Photosmart C5280 All-in-One Printer, Scanner and Copier might work well in many households, but it will not necessarily suit a business. It can produce vibrant photo prints with its 4800x1200 dpi resolution and a six-ink printing system, and you can preview your photos using the convenient 2.4-inch LCD screen. Also, the copier runs quietly and offers a paper tray that can hold up to 125 sheets of paper.

Unfortunately, the C5280 does have its drawbacks. It does not easily connect to older computers and may have trouble running with older software. What's more, the only way to connect it to a network is via its USB port. It is also important to note that the C5280 lacks a fax function and tends to run through ink quickly.
Multifunction office machines are time and money savers. Hewlett-Packard Photosmart C5280Multifunction office machines save time and money. Hewlett-Packard Photosmart C5280


Canon Pixma MX310 multifunction office machine

Simplicity is often an overlooked asset in product designs; some people really just need a machine that will assist in basic work and play. If you are one of these people, consider the Canon Pixma MX310; it provides the ease of use for which you've been searching. The MX310 offers a print resolution of 4800x1200dpi and can print 22ppm. Color prints produced by this machine come out looking amazing, although text print quality is only average. The fax function occasionally interferes with some calls, but this may not be a pressing issue for you.


Kodak EasyShare 5500 multifunction office machine

The Kodak EasyShare 5500 has an average list of functions -- a copier, a fax machine, a printer and a scanner -- but everything about it falls short of expectations. For example, this unit will simply stop working if one of its six ink tanks is empty; in order to proceed, you must refill the empty tank. Printing and scanning is slow, which is also a disappointment, but at least you can preview your photo prints with the EasyShare 5500's 2.4-inch LCD screen.

Additionally, the EasyShare 5500 is a poor choice if you are searching for a fax machine with features; for example, numbers cannot be stored for future reference, which can be quite frustrating in a business environment. Also, this machine will only auto-feed 35 pages at one time. The Kodak EasyShare 5500 might be easy to use, but you will likely find that its poor performance and features are not worth the time or money.


Hewlett-Packard Photosmart C6280 multifunction office machine

The Hewlett-Packard Photosmart C6280 multifunction office machine may not be perfect, but it does offer some features that make printing easier. For example, its basic image-editing tools allow you to touch up your photos, and the 2.4-inch LCD allows you to double-check your pictures before you print. Printing takes a little while, but the C6280's color reproduction is excellent, thanks to its six-ink printing system.

The C6280's scanner also offers a number of options. You can save your scanned materials in various formats and locations, and you can use it as a surrogate fax machine (this unit does not include a fax function) by scanning items and sending to others using this machine's Ethernet networking options. Unfortunately, the C6280's printer software can have difficulty working with older computers and takes up a lot of disk space, so if you are considering this unit, we suggest that you look into its compatibility with your computer.
Brother MFC-5860CNBrother MFC-5860CN



Brother MFC-5860CN multifunction office machine

The Brother MFC-5860CN multifunction office machine offers you two options of computer use: it can be connected directly to your computer via USB and it can be operated through an Ethernet network. These are both great options for household and small business use.

The MFC-5860CN's paper trays can hold up to 400 sheets of paper at once: 150 in one tray and 250 in another. Its estimated printing rate is 30ppm for monochrome prints and 25ppm for color. Keep in mind, however, that these are only estimates; it will definitely take longer to print photos, but with a maximum resolution of 6000x12000 dpi, images will almost invariably come out crisp and clear.