Find The Right Multifunction Devices

Kodak ESP 5 All-in-One - multifunction (color)

The Kodak ESP5 is an attractive full color all-in-one printer, scanner, and copier, and casual photo enthusiasts will be happy with the watered-down editing software, but hard-core users should look elsewhere for a multifunction printer. The ESP5 is too expensive and suffers from too many mechanical deficiencies for us to give it our CNET stamp of approval.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet

Brother MFC 7440N

The Brother MFC-7440N prints quickly and is fairly inexpensive to sustain, but we simply can't get behind a printer with poor quality graphics, significant hardware defects, and a boring design.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Laser, 600 x 2400 dpi, None

HP Photosmart C8180 All-in-One

The C8180 multifunctional printer is an excellent choice for photo enthusiasts. It prints high-quality text and photos at a heavy price: the printer is s...l...o...w. If you always choose quality over speed, the c8180 will be a worthwhile addition to your digital toolshed.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 9600 dpi

Kodak ESP 3

The Kodak ESP 3 comes with great software for editing photos and applying touch-ups to portraits, but printer software is only as good as the physical results, and the print quality isn't nearly up to current industry standards. Your $150 would be much better spent on alternative multifunction printers.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet

HP Officejet J6480

The HP Officejet J6480 has a lot of built-in features that are rarely found included in a $200 printer. Shoppers looking for an all-inclusive multifunctional unit will be impressed with the robust hardware and rich print quality.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 4800 dpi

Canon Pixma MX7600

The Canon Pixma MX7600 multifunction is a huge improvement over the previous model. With additional features such as an autoduplexer, increased faxing options, and an upgraded control cockpit, we have no problem recommending the MX7600.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 9600 x 4800 dpi

Dell Multifunction Monochrome Laser Printer 1125

Aside from a few complaints, we like the Dell 1125's overall package. The reasonable price tag also helps. We would recommend the Dell 1125 as a sensible solution for shoppers in the market for a text-specific all-in-one.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Laser, 600 x 600 dpi

Brother HL-2170W

The Brother HL-2170W laser printer can be the perfect money saving sidekick to your existing inkjet, but don't expect it to handle even the most minor graphic jobs.

Lexmark X7550

All-in-one printers are a tough sell, and we must insist that manufacturers release machines that produce prints with the same standard of quality as their individual counterparts. With that in mind, we can't recommend the Lexmark x7550 because of its poor quality prints and several mechanical snags.

Specs: Digital photo - Thermal inkjet - Color laser paper, Legal (8.5 in x 14 in), Custom (8.5 in x 17 in), Digital photo, Modem, PC, Mac, 1 year warranty

Brother MFC-685cw

The Brother MFC-685CW inkjet multifunction printer offers tons of great features at the expense of print speed and quality. If speed and quality are your priorities, look elsewhere.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 600 x 2400 dpi, Corded handset

Canon ImageClass MF4270

If your office printing, scan, and fax needs run to the basic, the Canon ImageClass MF4270 is a good fit, with brisk task speeds and consistent output quality.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Laser, 600 x 1200 dpi

Canon Pixma MP970

The Canon Pixma MP970 isn't up to the company's usually high standards. You're better off spending more for last year's version.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 4800 x 4800 dpi

Canon Pixma MX700

The Canon Pixma MX700 is a great choice for small offices with a wide variety of print tasks. This inkjet multifunction beats out the competition with a winning combination of features and performance.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 2400 x 4800 dpi

HP LaserJet M2727nf

In a vacuum, the HP LaserJet 2727nf is a fine mono laser multifunction for small offices. But its price and feature set are out of whack with the competition: you can get more for the same money, or you can pay less for the same features.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Laser, 1200 x 1200 dpi

HP LaserJet M2727nfs

In a vacuum, the HP LaserJet 2727nf is a fine mono laser multifunction for small offices. But its price and feature set are out of whack with the competition: you can get more for the same money, or you can pay less for the same features.

Specs: Copier, Fax, Printer, Scanner, Laser, 1200 x 1200 dpi

Samsung SCX-4500

Long on design and short on features, the Samsung SCX-4500 multifunction laser printer is best suited for light home or office use. Unless you're willing to pay for a showcase printer (two words we've never seen next to one another), your money will buy you more features and faster task speeds elsewhere.

Specs: Limited warranty

HP Photosmart C6280 All-in-One

The HP Photosmart C6280 lacks many of the features that make a photo all-in-one compelling, and its print quality disappoints. Your $200 is better spent on a different all-in-one.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 2400 x 4800 dpi

Canon Pixma MP520

The Canon Pixma MP520 doesn't offer all the bells and whistles found on other budget all-in-ones, but it's a solid device that does the basics right while delivering best-in-class quality.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 2400 x 4800 dpi

Canon Pixma MP210

If you're looking for the best print and scan quality from a budget all-in-one, the Canon Pixma MP210 is the one for you. Other models, however, offer more substantial feature sets.

Specs: Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 600 x 1200 dpi

Canon Pixma MX300

If you work in a one-person office and are on a tight budget, the Pixma MX300 is a good fit; you won't find better quality output from comparably priced all-in-one inkjets. You'll need to keep shopping, however, if you need built-in networking or fast prints.

Specs: Fax, Copier, Printer, Scanner, Ink-jet, 600 x 2100 dpi