Forget the photo lab: print and scan at home

By Elsa Wenzel on 30 March 2005

Tags: all-in-one | multifunction | photo | photography | print | printer | scan | pixma | review | read

A digital camera lets you shoot a seemingly endless number of pictures, but you might wake up one day to a nightmare: heaps of images languishing on your memory cards or computer hard drive. If that motivates you to commit your photos to paper and frame them or to snail mail copies to cousins, you might ponder one of these kiosk-style machines.

The all-in-ones in this lineup print photos from digital cards and cameras without a computer. A bonus: they also scan and photocopy. Just prepare to add pricey photo inks and papers into the cost of the machine.

Colour LCDs on the control panels of these models allow you to preview and edit photos straight from your PictBridge camera or digital storage cards. The Dell 942 marks the bargain of the bunch, though its requirement to switch ink cartridges between photo and text prints may drive you crazy. Ready to resurrect those dusty, predigital photos? Both the Canon Pixma MP760 and the Epson Stylus Photo RX620 offer a rare adapter to scan slides, negatives, and transparencies.

HP PSC 2355 All-in-One
HP PSC 2355 All-in-One
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Against other all-in-ones, the HP PSC 2355 is a decent value with excellent text prints, but it's no digital-imaging standout.

Canon Pixma MP760
Canon Pixma MP760
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Canon has packed more functionality in its latest all in one printer, the Pixma MP760. This printer can even make prints from your old film negatives without needing a PC.

Lexmark P6250
Lexmark P6250
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Lexmark simplifies this easy-on-the-eyes multifunction so that it won't confuse you, but can you trade ease of use for quality?

Dell 942 Photo All-in-One
Dell 942 Photo All-in-One
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The sleek design and friendly control panel of the Dell 942 may invite you, but you're better off turning to another model, if you want to avoid frequent ink changes.

HP Photosmart 2710
HP Photosmart 2710
Read review

Whether you work from home, in a small office, or with varied home printing, scanning, faxing and copying needs, this all-in-one takes care of business.






































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