Multitalented Ink Jets
Whether you're looking for a personal printer for your office or a printer for home that can do a bit more than output photos, an ink jet all-in-one may be the way to go.
Ink jet all-in-ones (AIOs) are an economical way for businesses and individuals to meet not just their printing needs but to scan, copy, and (in many cases) fax as well. Printing photos and graphics is their forte, but they generally handle text well enough for most business purposes. Ink jets are not as fast as lasers, but they cost less. Many are network-capable, and in the past year we've seen an influx of wireless-enabled AIOs.
The AIOs mentioned here run the gamut from speedy models, chock-full of office-centric features, to photo-friendly units built for home use. Many are suitable for dual roles in the home and home office. There are plenty of good models to choose from—the important thing is to look for one with the combination of features that best fits your circumstances.
Featured in this Roundup:
($149.99 direct)
The Canon Pixma MP620 Photo All-In-One Printer features high-quality photos and network support, but it's slower than the model it replaces.
($199.99 direct)
The Canon Pixma MX860 Wireless Office All-In-One Printer offers high-quality output and lots of functions, but is relatively slow for business applications.
($199 direct)
Designed as a home printer with an emphasis on photos, the Dell P703w All-In-One Wireless Photo Printer prints photos at fast speeds and reasonably high quality.
($129.99 direct)
Despite stumbling a bit on text quality, the Epson WorkForce 310 All-In-One (AIO) succeeds as a surprisingly capable package at an attractively low price.
($399.99 direct)
If you're thinking of moving up to a color laser all-in-one (AIO), be sure to check out the HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One as well.
($299.99 direct)
Aimed at both the home and home office, the HP Photosmart Premium Fax All-in-One produces sharp-looking graphics and photos and offers a host of office-centric features.
($299 direct)
The Kodak ESP 9 All-In-One Printer comes with Kodak's by-now-familiar promise of a low cost per page, along with a full set of office-centric, as well as photocentric, features.