When there is a student in the house, it is much more rational to purchase your own printing device than to constantly pay for printing at copy centers. So, a multifunctional functional device (MFP), combining a printer, scanner and copier, at home can bring a lot of joy. Or a hassle. It all depends on the chosen model. Therefore, it is worth listening to good advice about what is the best printer-scanner-copier for home purchase.
We deal with the views
In order to have an idea of what printing devices are, consider three main types of printers:
- Dot matrix. This class is considered the very first in the environment of printing devices. Now they are rare in retail, but they can be ordered online. The huge advantage of matrix units is that they cost a penny, but they print many sheets at a time. So if you are a library fan, then you should consider this model. Disadvantages - they do not print color images and have a low resolution.
- Inkjet. The most common type of printer for color and black and white printing. As the name implies, the principle of operation involves the use of special cartridges from which ink is sprayed onto the paper. Advantages - a lot of budget models, you can create good photos. Disadvantages - high cost of replacing cartridges, fragility, low printing speed and high ink consumption.
- Laser The work is based on the use of a simple laser printing system, which is ensured by toner - a special reflective substance. The cost of the devices themselves compared with others is great. But they pay for themselves at the cost of low maintenance. Toner needs to be changed on average every few thousand pages. Yes and there is no such problem with dried ink or clogged nozzles, like inkjet.
What characteristics to pay attention to
It is very important to determine the decisive characteristics when choosing a printer-scanner-copier. Which is best for the home - will depend on a number of parameters that are critical to you. Here are some suggestions:
- The first parameter is resolution. It comes in four types - 300 dpi, 600, 1200 and 2400. The smallest resolution is suitable for simple black and white text documents. On parameter 600, you can already get clear graphs and drawings. 1200 is chosen by those who print photos at home, and 2400 is intended for professionals.
- Print speed. In truth, the data that the manufacturer indicates are far from reality. If for you the speed of issuing the finished document does not have a specific value, well, it will give out after 6 seconds, and not after 2, then you can ignore this parameter. Be aware that laser printers print twice as fast, and inkjet photos are very slow.
- Type of connection to a computer. The USB port is already the last century. Now more popular are models with built-in bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The best printer-scanner-copier for the home should easily connect to a laptop, tablet or phone. And to make it easier through a wireless connection.
What you need to know about the scanner
If everything is more or less clear with the printer, then the MFP also needs to pay attention to the scanner. This will help you determine which printer-scanner-copier is best for the home. Be sure to pay attention to such a feature as the optical resolution of the scan. Of course, the higher the value, the clearer the document received.
If you are not going to equip a modern photo studio at home, then the simplest model on the market will be enough for you. The minimum optical resolution will be enough to get a very clear even the smallest font on the document.
Benefits of MFPs
Before buying, be sure to ask which printer-scanner-copier is best for the home. Surely, sales consultants will tell you that MFPs have a lot of advantages:
- Firstly, buying three in one at once, you save money. The cost of a separately purchased scanner, printer and copier is much higher.
- Secondly, it also saves space. Although such units are voluminous, they are made very compact.
- Simplicity and ease of use - no need to first scan, then transfer the image to a computer to make a simple copy.
- The cost of one copied document is very low. It is much more profitable to purchase a device than to constantly contact the salons.
- Save time when working with large volumes of documents.
With a large number of advantages, MFPs have one, but a very significant minus. If at least one minor detail breaks down, three devices will lose their functionality at once.
All the benefits of laser printers
Asking the question: "Printer-scanner-copier - which is better?" - All the advantages and disadvantages of printing types should be taken into account. This plays a decisive role when choosing a unit for the home.
Let's start with the benefits. Laser printers are necessary for those who have to print a lot. For example, if there are teachers in the family. By type of activity, these people have to print almost whole books. The cost of one leaflet will be very low in this case. And the maintenance of laser printers is inexpensive. It requires refueling at most once every six months or a year with constant use.
Black and white printing has a high resolution, you can see even the smallest details and small print. The printouts you receive are not afraid of water, and there are no stains on them.
Disadvantages of Laser Printers
Despite the large number of positive aspects, laser printers remain the most expensive devices. And along with the scanner and copier, their price will increase even more. In addition, with a complete replacement of components in case of breakdown, you will also have to pay a round sum.
Laser scanner-printer-copier for the home is indispensable for black and white printing. But he is absolutely not able to print photos or color photographs. This is done only by professional devices, which does not make sense to buy for the home.
All the advantages and disadvantages of inkjet printers
Due to their structure, inkjet printers are much cheaper. But it’s worth mentioning right away that the cost of their service is very high. This is confirmed by several factors.
Firstly, the biggest advantage is that such devices can print great photos at home. As you can imagine, beautiful pictures require a lot of paint. Most models have 4 cartridges: one is black, the other is red, the third is yellow, the fourth is cyan. When mixed, various shades are obtained.
In truth, the full refueling of each cartridge is barely enough to print two dozen high-resolution photos. After that, they must either be replaced completely, or refueled with new paint. Both options are not cheap.
Epson models are equipped with uninterrupted ink supply. This system is bought separately, but allows you to not bother with manual refueling. But new ink still needs to be constantly refilled. Moreover, in these printers are not 4 cartridges, but 6, which means that you need to buy six cans of ink.
An inkjet printer-scanner-copier for the home is necessary for those who, by the nature of their activity, need to print many color images of not too high quality. Then it is profitable. And in all other cases, the cost of one photo is unreasonably high, it is more profitable to use the services of a photo studio.
Best Laser MFPs
Printer-scanner-copier - which laser is better to get for home use? Let’s figure it out.
In the price category above 10 thousand rubles, the leaders are Xerox Phaser 3200MFP and Brother DCP-7045NR. They have a very high resolution and print speed. The second representative has even higher scanner settings. In general, this is a good choice for the money. Plus, there are all the functions necessary today: Wi-Fi connection and remote access.
Of those that are cheaper, you can consider the HP LaserJet M1120 and Samsung SCX-4500. The price is three thousand less, and the quality of the documents received is half the quality. The print speed also lags behind, it is 19 and 16 sheets per minute versus 24 and 20, respectively, for more expensive devices.
The best inkjet MFPs
Consider which printer-scanner-copier is best for a home among inkjet representatives.
If your goal is to print photos, you can use the Canon Pixma MX924. Its retail price ranges from 10 thousand rubles.
Among the devices with uninterrupted ink supply, the Epson L210 printer is in the lead: excellent quality, printing speed and ink consumption are within normal limits. Minus - there is no wireless connection to the computer.
Of the inexpensive, but high-quality inkjet models, the Canon Pixma MG3540 can be distinguished. It costs about 4 thousand and allows you to perform simple homework.