| Recent craze towards multifunctional or | | | | multifunctional computers will have a 600 dpi |
| all-in-one printer is because these can save | | | | resolution. In case of a photo printer the |
| valuable space, convenient to do several jobs | | | | resolution may be higher. The color depth |
| and are less costly. | | | | capacity of a scanner is important factor to |
| | | | be considered also. The greater the bit |
| A multifunctional printer is capable of doing | | | | depth, the greater is the resolution and more |
| various tasks, namely printing, photocopying, | | | | colors can be represented. |
| scanning, etc. Sometimes these printers can | | | | |
| also be used as a fax machine, and you can | | | | Scanners normally come as flatbed or |
| take direct photo-prints from your digital | | | | sheet-fed. Flatbed scanners are more |
| camera. | | | | versatile as they can scan a range of |
| | | | documents irrespective of their thickness |
| It is important to know a few points before | | | | whereas in a sheet-fed scanner the documents |
| selecting a multifunctional printer. | | | | are scanned one sheet at a time and the |
| | | | documents need to be detached from the |
| The type of Printer: The two main types of | | | | magazine or book for scanning. Scanners are |
| printers in vogue are inkjet and laser | | | | normally sold with a twain driver which can |
| printer. Both these printers produce high | | | | be easily installed in any computer and can |
| quality of printing. Inkjet printers use | | | | work seamlessly with other applications. |
| magnetized plated which directs ink onto | | | | |
| sheets of paper in desired style. Normally | | | | Copier: In comparison to analog machines, |
| using two cartridges, one for color and the | | | | digital copiers have much larger zoom range |
| other for black and white, the printout | | | | for reducing as well as enlarging. The speed |
| quality matches with laser printer. This is | | | | and resolution of the copier is generally the |
| less costly and portable; the only | | | | same as that of the printer. |
| disadvantage being it is much slower in | | | | |
| comparison to laser printer. | | | | Faxing: The easy way to transmit documents |
| | | | over phone line is faxing. The majority of |
| Laser printer operates by sending a laser | | | | these machines transmit between 14.4 to 33.6 |
| beam producing an image on the drum. Also | | | | kbps speeds. This means 6 to 10 seconds and 3 |
| known as page printers, the laser printers | | | | seconds respectively to transmit data per |
| are much faster as the entire page is printed | | | | page. Normally 512 kilobytes of memory in a |
| here in one going. Though expensive, these | | | | fax machine can hold about 20 to 25 pages of |
| types of printers produce high quality | | | | incoming and outgoing pages without relying |
| printing at high speed with unlimited variety | | | | on paper. The speed dial indicates how many |
| of fonts. | | | | fax numbers can be stored in the memory of |
| | | | the machine. |
| It is important to check the resolution of | | | | |
| the printer. Normally higher the resolution, | | | | Optional items such as automatic paper |
| the better is the print quality. | | | | feeder, extra paper trays and enhanced photo |
| | | | printing capability printers are available |
| Compatibility of the printer: Selection for | | | | also. In case of automatic paper feeder, you |
| the printer should also consider the type of | | | | don`t have to wait and feed manually for |
| operating system the printer can work with. | | | | copying and scanning more than one sheet. |
| There are printers which can work with | | | | Optional paper trays can add up 500 pages to |
| multi-systems like Windows, Linux, | | | | the total capacity. Enhanced photo printing |
| Mackintosh, etc. | | | | capability printers have high resolution |
| | | | capability, four to six cartridges and also |
| Scanning: By scanning, graphics and text can | | | | provide a direct connection for downloading |
| be directly transferred to and stored in a | | | | photo from your camera. Also it allows you to |
| computer and printed as per your need. Normal | | | | view the picture before printing. |