21. August 2007

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Comparative Test of 8 MFCs with Fax: Big Helpers for Small Offices

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.

Abo für Drucker & Tinte bereits ab 6,99€ monatlich

Inklusive einem "EPSON EcoTank". Ohne Aktivierungsgebühr.

Monatliche Abo-Gebühr inklusive Tinte für je 50 Seiten mit einem Epson Ecotank ET-2870U. Andere Druckermodelle oder mehr Seiten gegen Aufpreis. Mindestlaufzeit 24 Monate.

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

• Brother MFC-845CW
• Brother MFC-5860CN
• Canon Pixma MP830
• Epson Stylus DX7000F
• HP Officejet J5780
• HP Officejet Pro L7580
• Kodak Easyshare 5300
• Lexmark X9350

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