Match your printer to your needs

By Kim Komando

Multifunction printers are all-in-one units that include an inkjet printer, scanner, copier and possibly a fax machine. Prices for consumer models range from $80 to $400. Before buying one, be sure it has the features important to you.

If you are a digital camera buff and plan on printing photos directly from a PictBridge-enabled camera, be sure the printer supports that standard. But most multifunction printers have memory card slots, to print the images from your camera's memory card. Be sure to match your camera's memory card type with the printer.

Some printers display photos individually on a small LCD display. Others print proof sheets. Either will help you select photos and save money.

Most consumer machines print at resolutions around 600 x 1,200 dpi. So, instead of looking at resolution, check the size of the ink droplets. Inkjets spray the paper with tiny drops of ink. The smaller the drop, the better the photo. Go for a printer with drops of 4 picoliters or smaller. Also look at the number of ink colors. The more colors, the more accurate your prints will be.

If you take photos with film, think about scanning in your negatives. Some printers include negative adapters. Others offer them as options. Low-end multifunction machines might scan at 600 x 1,200 dpi. A better resolution for enlargements is 1,200 x 1,400 dpi or higher.

Photo buffs also should look at the color depth of both the scanner and the printer. Don't purchase one with less than 24-bit color (scanning and printing). This is true color and allows 16.7 million colors.

If you choose a model with a fax and will do lots of copying, check for an automatic document feeder (ADF).

A few high-end multifunction printers have auto duplexers, which can print on both sides of the paper. Duplexers can save you money, but dramatically slow printing speeds.

Printing specifications often are vastly overstated by manufacturers. They'll range anywhere from 15 to 30 pages per minute. If speed is important, test the printer in the store.

If you plan to share the printer, look for Ethernet ports, built-in wireless networking and Bluetooth connectivity.

Remember to price replacement ink cartridges. Individual tanks are more economical. With tricolor cartridges, you have to replace the entire thing, even if it's only out of one ink.

And, of course, try the printers at the store. You can't judge print quality until you see it.