Updated 25 May, 2013, 6:56 pm IST

Multifunction Devices: A Perfect Solution for Offices

25 Nov, 2010 | by Anand Tuliani

12 MFDs thoroughly tested, which one's going to sit in your office?

Creating and sharing content has become so convenient! If you want to capture a moment and share it with your friends, all you need is a phone. Nowadays, even entry-level phones are equipped with cameras, Bluetooth and social networking tools. Digital cameras too have become very affordable; you can buy a decent 10 megapixel camera for under Rs 6,000. Although you can carry your photos with you and view them on the screen, they look best in print. Color inkjet MFDs are a convenient and economical means to get studio quality photo prints at home. In addition, they come in very handy when you urgently need passport-size photos and photocopies. Photocopying doesn’t require PC connectivity and it’s as simple as placing the source on the scanner bed and hitting the copy button.

Epson Stylus OfficeTX 510fn

MFDs have evolved into highly versatile printing machines. The latest models support wireless printing courtesy built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters, which make them a very convenient shared resource, especially at the office. High-end MFDs for offices feature high-speed printing and mechanisms such as automatic document feeder (ADF) and duplexer to automate copying/faxing multiple pages and two-sided printing. MFDs specialized for photo printing, are equipped with individual color ink tanks, memory card reader and PictBridge direct printing support. Higher-end models feature USB host function with which you can print directly from USB flash drives and external hard drives.

HP K209a

Even though MFDs pack in a slew of features, operating them is a breeze thanks to the navigational aids and intuitive user interface. MFDs have now started featuring touchscreens and jog dials for user input. Some extremely user-friendly devices even feature built-in help and detailed instructions. In this comparison, we tested a dozen multifunctional devices spanning all budgets and application areas. While some are ideal for home use, others are best suited for photographers or office desks. And yes, owning such a device is no longer expensive. You can buy one for as less as Rs 4,500. So turn over and take your pick.

Page 1:Introduction~ Test Process and Tables~ Winners

Tags: Multifunction Devices , printers , scanners , copiers , fax , office electronics , computer peripherals