Multifunction Devices: More Space On The Desktop!
Conclusion
The perfect device does not exist yet. They all have a lot of failings, which could also be considered growing pains for a new type of device. One manufacturer might have forgotten to integrate a de-screening function while another might have neglected the reproduction of black and white photos; one of them might design a control panel that is too complicated, while another finds that its speed falls apart in color mode, and so on. For the same price, you will often find you get better results with separate middle-range scanners and printers.
Be that as it may, the all-in-one should corner the market in the end. The photocopy mode and the inclusion of a fax or document feeder will please businesses, small organizations and professionals. Home users will probably be more attracted by the HP PSC 950, which is more elegant and very easy to use, although maybe not too frequently, on account of its costly cartridges.
Model | MFC590/5100 | MPC400/F30 | PSC 950 | X83 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer | Brother | Canon | HP | Lexmark |
Price (USD) | $300 | $349 | $400 | $200 |
Print resolution | 2400x1200 dpi | 2400x1200 dpi | 2400x1200 dpi | 2400x1200 dpi |
Speed (B/W) | 10 ppm | 17 ppm | 12 ppm | 12 ppm |
Speed (color) | 8 ppm | 12 ppm | 10 ppm | 6 ppm |
Number of cartridges | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Number of colors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Connectivity | USB & parallel | USB & parallel | USB | USB |
Scan resolution | 600x2400 dpi | 600x1200 dpi | 600x1200 dpi | 600x1200 dpi |
Max. speed for photocopies | 7 ppm | 17 ppm | 12 ppm | 10 ppm |
Scaling | 25 - 400 % | 25 - 400 % | 25 - 400 % | 25 - 400 % |
Charger of documents | yes | no | no | no |
Card reader motorized | no | no | yes | no |
Modem/Fax | 14,4 kbps | no | 14,4 kbps | no |
Dimensions (cm) | 46,8x46,7x36,8 | 58,4x32,5x43,9 | 35,8x45,2x27,2 | 53,8x46x31,4 |
Chart readings | |
---|---|
> 4 | Very good |
3 - 4 | Satisfactory |
< 2 | Bad |
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.