Comparative Test of 8 MFCs with Fax

If you work in a home-office or a small working-group, looking for professional assistance, you should take a closer look at this test. DRUCKERCHANNEL tells you all about eight MFCs on ink-basis, which can print, scan copy, and fax and which cost less than 380 Euros.

Erschienen am 21. August 2007 bei Druckerchannel.de, 22 Seite(n)

https://www.druckerchannel.de/artikel.php?ID=1969

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Big Helpers for Small Offices

Some MFCs have an additional memory-card reader, a pictbridge-connection, a duplexer for automatic double-sided printing, or an automatic document feeder (ADF) for faxing, copying, and scanning. Brother even provides a DECT-phone with it´s MFC-845CW.

The only contestant without a fax is Kodak´s Easyshare 5300, one of the two all-in-ones they just put on the market after keeping their fingers off ink-printers for 15 years. The last one they delivered (in 1992) was a small black-and-white printer, Kodak Diconix.

The two new ones differ in three important features: The bigger model (Easyshare 5500) has an additional fax, ADF, and a duplexer.

Eight contestants

The champions

Among eight contestants DC found out the ones which deserve a commendation.

Maybe you have a different focus, so our winners mustn´t be yours. Example: If you need water-resistant prints, there´s no way around a Brother. And if you print a lot, the MFC of your choice should have a second paper-tray.

Compendium

You will find all contestants with their data (technical and test-results) in our ranking table (Bestenliste Multifunktionsgeräte (Tinte)). Instructions how to use that are on page22.

Winner upper echelon: Canon Pixma MP830

Canon´s MFC shines with excellent components. Printing in color is a good value. However, competitor HP shows how to print text considerably cheaper.

Canon´s ink isn´t smudge-proof - the only flaw. All other tests are accomplished with brilliance. And print-speed is high.

Benefits

Permanent print-head
Single exchangeable cartridges
Exchange of cartridges easy
Separate photo-black ink
CD- and DVD-print
Memorycard reader
Pictbridge-connectivity
Big display
ADF with duplex-function
Fast text-, photo-, and graphics print
CCD-scanner

Deficiencies

No waterproof ink
Handling somewhat complicated on first sight

Second in upper echelon: HP Officejet Pro L7580

HP´s Officejet Pro L7580 performs as second best, a wee bit away from the Canon. It´s not as well equipped as the latter, but print speed is better, and it excels in cost of print.

Benefits

Permanent print-head
Single exchangeable cartridges
Exchange of cartridges easy
Memorycard reader
Pictbridge-connectivity
Very easy handling
ADF
Very high print speed
Low cost of print
CCD-scanner

Deficiencies

No waterproof ink
No display

Winner mid-range: Brother MFC-845CW

If Brother say "multifunctional", they really mean it. Already well equipped, they add a full-fledged DECT-phone to their MFC.

Benefits

Memorycard reader
Display
Easy handling
Wireless phone
Network and WLAN (standard)
Three years warranty

Deficiencies

CIS-scanner with low depth of field
Cost of print comparatively high