The world of printing is more varied and complex than ever. This is great news for the consumer; printers, copiers, and scanners are more affordable and better quality than ever before. But it can also mean that it’s confusing to find the right machine for your needs, especially with the overlap between models and types.
For instance, today the word “copier” gets applied to all kinds of devices because these machines are getting more multifunctional every day. Networked copiers often also print, scan, and possibly even fax, making them hard to distinguish from a multifunction printer. For business purposes, however, it’s worth it to know the difference. Here’s how to spot a copier vs. a multifunction printer.
Copiers vs. Multifunction Printers: What Do They Do?
A standalone copier only does one thing: copying. You put a document in, you get a duplicate out. Although standalone copiers still exist, they’re fairly rare in offices. A standalone copier is often only an add-on in a company that relies heavily on copying and also uses several other machines. Newer copiers are usually networked, allowing you to print, scan, and store electronically.
Multifunction printers, on the other hand, scan, fax, print, and copy. Users send documents wirelessly to print. For scanning, copying, and faxing, users stand at the device similar to using a networked copier.
What Are Their Features?
Since networked copiers and multifunction printers function in very similar ways, it’s helpful to look at their features to see the distinguishing differences. Copiers are perfect for heavy use and document production. Copiers are fast and have affordable maintenance costs.
Multifunction printers work reliably no matter how often you use them, but are frequently slower than copiers. For regular office use, they’re a great option.
You Choose
If you still need help deciding what’s best for your company, we can help. Give us a call and we’ll find the right device to meet your unique needs.