Difference Between Multi-Functional Printers and Standard Copiers

If you are in the market for an office printer, then you may be thinking about the various options at your disposal. For instance, you may decide to go with a multi-functional printer or a standard copier, depending on the unique needs of your business. In some cases, you may already have a conventional copier, but newfound office demands may necessitate an upgrade to a multi-functional printer.

Here, our focus will be on the differences between multi-functional printers and standard copiers so that you can make an informed decision in terms of which to go with.

Functionality Differences

A standard copier is designed to do one thing, and that is to make copies of documents. A multi-functional printer, however, can do a lot more than just make copies: it can also print, fax, scan, and perform other office-related tasks.

Some older copy machines on the market may also be able to print documents, with some being able to print in colour while others are only able to print in black and white. As for multi-functional printers, most are equipped to handle both modes, and you can switch between them with the swipe of a button.

In regards to the quality of the materials that are printed, both types of machines may be able to print in high quality, albeit you will be more likely to have such an option with a multi-functional printer than a standard copier.

Speed Differences

Interestingly, some copiers may actually be able to print faster than some multi-functional printers, albeit you will likely not notice much of a difference when dealing with short runs. For instance, if you decide to print 500 copies of a single document, then a copier may edge out a multi-functional printer. If speed is concerned, albeit if you opt to print just a few copies, or even a dozen or so copies, the time savings is barely worth noting.

Ease of Use Differences

When multi-functional printers were first introduced to the market, some were seen as being rather cumbersome, especially when trying to switch between office modes, such as scanning and printing. Fortunately, multi-functional printers have become quite user-friendly, as they have enhanced over the last few years.

In stark contrast, many copiers have several buttons and settings, which may make it difficult to print out a single document without issue. Today's multi-functional printers are designed to be easy to use; you can make a single copy of a document with the touch of a button. This gives the modern multi-functional printer an edge in user-friendliness when compared to most standard copiers on the market.

Calculating Usage Rates

Given the fact that multi-functional printers have many different features, more and more offices have made the switch from using stand-alone printers or copiers to using multi-functional printers. For example, employees can use a multi-functional printer to scan documents that they have printed and then email those documents to their email inbox so that they can access a digital version of the document whenever they want.

Standard copiers also have their merits, as they are recommended for heavy-duty tasks that will take a long time to complete. For instance, a copier may be the preferred option if you need to print several hundred or several thousand copies in one day.

Interestingly, you may have some trouble in trying to find a stand-alone copier, as most of the machines that are sold today can also perform email, scanning, and printing tasks. In addition, the shift towards eco-friendly initiatives, such as minimizing the use of paper, and the newfound focus on storing and transferring documents digitally, has allowed the multi-functional printer to quickly become the gold standard in most modern offices today.

Cost Differences

The cost difference between a multi-functional printer and a black and white copier can be a thousand or so dollars. Some multi-functional printers that are sold today offer a bevy of impressive features and are considered to be highly sophisticated and state of the art pieces of technology.

There are also marked price differences between each respective category, and a higher price point does not necessarily equate to superior quality. For instance, some of the absolute best office printers on the market are not the most expensive units on the market.

You may also have the option to lease the unit to even out payments over a set period. Or, you may opt to purchase the device outright if you would prefer to own the multi-functional printer as soon as possible.

The biggest factor in terms of price differences is whether or not you choose a colour laser printer or a colour inkjet printer. Inkjet printers tend to cost more over the long-run because they require inkjet printer cartridges, which can be quite expensive and add up in costs over time.

Size Differences

Many people think of copiers as being cumbersome and bulky machines that can take up an entire room, which is probably where the term, ‘copy room’ originated from. Modern multi-functional printers have been designed to be compact, with some being small enough to be set on a desk without issue.

In fact, some units are so compact and lightweight that a single person can move them without difficulty. The size of the device will vary depending on the unique paper capacity requirements that your office has, so expect the unit to be larger if you require a large volume of printouts on a routine basis.

To learn more about the difference between standard and multi-functional printers, call DOS Canada at 647-547-9867 or contact us here.