It used to be that when individuals or small businesses needed equipment to operate their establishments, they had to spend large amounts of money on numerous machines. Printers, copiers, fax machines and scanners do not come cheaply and having multiple pieces of equipment in small spaces impedes functionality. Now, thanks to all in one printers, consumers can purchase one piece of apparatus capable of performing several functions, saving themselves money as well as space. Here are some tips on what to look for when purchasing a multi function machine.

Color Printing and Picture Quality

All in one copiers come with the ability to print copies in black and white as well as in color. A laser black and white printer will provide basic printing, which will be sufficient for many, however an inkjet color printer will provide for color print jobs at the touch of a button. Keep in mind that the ink cartridge required for this type of printer is expensive and that because most work will be done in black and white, it is important to look for a model that has a separate black cartridge. In addition, make sure to check the printer resolution. The higher the dpi (dots per inch) the higher the print quality. The standard dpi is 600 x 600, which will be sufficient for most jobs; however, a higher resolution will be required for printing photographs. Scanner resolution works along these same guidelines.

Digital Copier

Another option is a digital copier. These are not as expensive as they used to be and while analog and digital both provide good quality, if you are working with graphs, blueprints or other illustratively detailed documents, or if you often copy photos, digital can reproduce detail better. Keep in mind that digital copiers are also quieter than other models but do cost more to fix should something go wrong. These are all things to consider when purchasing all in one copiers. ~Functional Properties

Speed requirements should also be a consideration. The larger the volume of work, the quicker the machine you will need. It is always a good idea to get the fastest model you can get for your budget so make sure to check the copies per minute (cpm) before purchasing. Check the counter on your current copier or check your copying bills for an approximation on the amount of work you have been doing. For simple black text documents, an average machine produces approximately ten pages per minute but many will come with the ability to more than double that figure. Keep in mind that for most all in one copiers, the rule of thumb is that the faster the printer, the faster the scanner.

Memory and Work Load

Memory capability is another thing to consider, especially when a large volume of work is involved. The standard 8MB will work for most small offices however; 16MB may be a wiser choice if you routinely work with large documents.

If you normally have a large volume of work, a paper feeder will be necessary to ensure you don’t have to stand by the machine and manually feed it. In addition, if you regularly produce multi page reports, collating may be an option you prefer. If you do lots of two side copying you may need a RADF or re-circulating automatic document feeder, which allows the copier to flip the page internally and make two sided copies from two sided originals. Also, consider the type of paper you normally work with. The use of heavy paper stock may require you to purchase a copier with a stackable bypass tray in order to avoid jams. Many models on today’s market provide all of these options and more.

Warranty and User Friendliness

No matter what model you decide to buy, when purchasing all in one copiers make sure to buy from a respected dealer and check into the warranty. Most of all, buy a machine that has an easy to use design. There is no point paying for all the bells and whistles if you can’t figure out how to use them. Consider asking the store to give you an in house demonstration before deciding on which copier to buy and make sure to inquire about their service agreement. Even with the highest quality machines, problems do occur and it will give you peace of mind to know that you can count on your dealer to provide service in a timely fashion.

There are many things to consider when shopping for all in one copiers and many options and models to choose from. Being knowledgeable about the products available and your personal needs will ensure that your shopping trip is a success. Functional Properties

Speed requirements should also be a consideration. The larger the volume of work, the quicker the machine you will need. It is always a good idea to get the fastest model you can get for your budget so make sure to check the copies per minute (cpm) before purchasing. Check the counter on your current copier or check your copying bills for an approximation on the amount of work you have been doing. For simple black text documents, an average machine produces approximately ten pages per minute but many will come with the ability to more than double that figure. Keep in mind that for most all in one copiers, the rule of thumb is that the faster the printer, the faster the scanner.

Memory and Work Load

Memory capability is another thing to consider, especially when a large volume of work is involved. The standard 8MB will work for most small offices however; 16MB may be a wiser choice if you routinely work with large documents.

If you normally have a large volume of work, a paper feeder will be necessary to ensure you don’t have to stand by the machine and manually feed it. In addition, if you regularly produce multi page reports, collating may be an option you prefer. If you do lots of two side copying you may need a RADF or re-circulating automatic document feeder, which allows the copier to flip the page internally and make two sided copies from two sided originals. Also, consider the type of paper you normally work with. The use of heavy paper stock may require you to purchase a copier with a stackable bypass tray in order to avoid jams. Many models on today’s market provide all of these options and more.

Warranty and User Friendliness

No matter what model you decide to buy, when purchasing all in one copiers make sure to buy from a respected dealer and check into the warranty. Most of all, buy a machine that has an easy to use design. There is no point paying for all the bells and whistles if you can’t figure out how to use them. Consider asking the store to give you an in house demonstration before deciding on which copier to buy and make sure to inquire about their service agreement. Even with the highest quality machines, problems do occur and it will give you peace of mind to know that you can count on your dealer to provide service in a timely fashion.

There are many things to consider when shopping for all in one copiers and many options and models to choose from. Being knowledgeable about the products available and your personal needs will ensure that your shopping trip is a success.