The HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One is an inkjet MFP that prints, scans and copies. In addition, it features ePrint, which enables you to print from email-enabled mobile devices by sending the job to the printer’s own email address. Users can share the printer over a network via Wi-Fi.

Printer Specifications: HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One Fact Sheet, Press Release
	At a Glance: Inkjet MFP (print/scan/copy) best for home or small office. MSRP: $149 Recommended Paper: LD Heavy Coated Matte Inkjet Paper (8.5”X11”) LD Premium Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper (4”X6”) Ink Cartridges: HP 564XL High Yield Black (CB321WN), HP 564XL High Yield Photo Black (CB322WN), HP 564XL High Yield Cyan (CB323WN), HP 564XL High Yield Magenta (CB324WN), HP 564XL High Yield Yellow (CB325WN)
	Notable Features:		Based on Press Kit: Print/scan/copy, cloud printing via HP ePrint (printer has own email address), 3.5” Touchsmart screen, PC-free ePrint web apps, Wi-Fi, automatic photo tray
	Max Printing Speed:		up to 30 pages/min (COLOR) up to 32 pages/min (B/W), 16 seconds per 4”x6”
	Resolution:		1200×1200 dpi (optical scan)
	Cartridge Yield:		Based on ISO/IEC 24711: 800 pages (HP 564XL High Yield Black (CB321WN)), 290 4”x6” photos (HP 564XL High Yield Photo Black (CB322WN)), 750 pages (HP 564XL High Yield Cyan (CB323WN), HP 564XL High Yield Magenta (CB324WN), HP 564XL High Yield Yellow (CB325WN) each)
	Paper Capacity:		N/A
	Cost Per Page (OEM):		4.4 cents per page (HP 564XL Black), 11.6 cents per page (HP 564XL Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow)
	Cost Per Page (Compatible):		2.4 cents per page (HP 564XL Black), 6.4 cents per page (HP 564XL Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow)
	Connectivity:		USB, Wi-Fi
	Compatibility:		Mac and Windows
	Max Media Size:		N/A
	Dimensions:		17.8”x15.8”x7.8”
	Weight:		16.4 lbs.

A few years ago, I had to use the men’s room at a bar in lower Manhattan. As I was about to wash my hands at the faucet, I turned my head up to look into the mirror, only to find there wasn’t one. Instead, there was a brown bulletin board surface on which someone had written in black permanent marker, “You look good.” And when you’re checking yourself out, that’s all you really need to know. On a similar note, there’s an interesting article on PCWorld.com about how inkjet printers automatically enhance the color and richness of your photos to make you subconsciously print more of them. In fact, HP marketing manager Thom Brown has admitted that, “We tune for what the customer wants, not for accuracy.”

So what is it in particular that makes HP photos more appealing to users? Robert L. Mitchell, the author of the PC World article, recalls that in comparing photos from the HP Photosmart C5180 and the Kodak EasyShare 5300, he found that while the “Kodak photos appeared a bit washed out, the HP photos were noticeably oversaturated.” And he confirms that he naturally “gravitated toward the brighter images.”

From a publicity standpoint, this revelation may not go over too well with consumers who already feel like they’re getting the wool pulled over their eyes by overpaying for OEM ink, and getting less than full disclosure on cartridge yields and ink volumes. And compared to Xerox’s user-driven Natural Language Color interface, it seems like HP’s automatic photo enhancement is almost telling the consumer, “if we want your opinion, we’ll give it to you.” That said, users like you and me aren’t exactly powerless in the process. OEMs and third party developers give us plenty of ways to edit photos on our own with software and online photo editing apps. And in our quest to create our own reality, we may not mind our printers doing some of the work for us.

(Photo via Morguefile)

The Canon PIXMA MX870 is an inkjet all-in-one that prints, scans, copies and faxes. In addition, it features auto-duplexing, a 35 page ADF, a 2.5” LCD, and Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. You can also print from your iPhone or iPod Touch with the Easy-PhotoPrint app, and you can print PC-free via memory card and PictBridge. So while the MSRP isn’t exactly cheap at $200, you get pretty much every feature you could ask for in a home or small office inkjet all-in-one printer. But is the PIXMA MX870 as good in practice as it should be in theory? Some online reviewers have tested it for themselves, and they like what this printer brings to the table.

Sarah Meyer of PrinterComparison.com gives the PIXMA MX870 a strong 4 stars out of 5. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and print quality is excellent for both text and photos. On the other hand, print speeds are on the slow side due to processing delays when “printing larger documents or when waking up from energy saving mode (being idle).” She also finds that scan quality can be uneven for letter-sized text documents. But despite the shortcomings, Meyer concludes that “in a small business, small workgroup in a larger office, or a home office, I think the MX870 could really shine.”

ComputerShopper.com gives the PIXMA MX870 a very good 7.5 out of 10. The extensive feature set is impressive, and everything works reasonably well and intuitively. The problem is that while other inkjet all-in-ones have evolved, with some of them offering touchscreens and web connectivity, the PIXMA MX870 is too much like its predecessor, the PIXMA MX860. Plus, the scanner lid is heavy, and print speeds are nothing to write home about. The review does note that auto-duplexing for printing and scanning is convenient and easy to use, and output quality is very good.

Finally, Kristofer Brozio of TestFreaks.com gives the PIXMA MX870 an excellent 9 out of 10, making it worthy of a TestFreaks Recommended seal. On the negative side, scanning can be a little dicey, and its bigger size won’t save you as much space in the office. That said, it’s easy to use, the range of features is impressive, and output quality is very good for text and photos. In addition, print speeds are fast, and cost per page for ink is affordable.

Overall, while it may not be the fastest or most advanced MFP around, the experts seem to give the Canon PIXMA MX870 a collective thumbs up for its output quality and overall functionality.

The $200 Kodak ESP 7250 is an inkjet MFP that prints, scans and copies. It features auto-duplexing, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, and the ability to print from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or Blackberry Smartphone. You also get PC-free printing via PictBridge and memory card, a 40 sheet dedicated photo tray, and a 2.4” color LCD. So based on the specs, the Kodak ESP 7250 strikes a good balance between office- and photo-friendly features. But do the experts agree? A couple of them have tried this printer out for themselves, and they like what it has to offer.

MySentimentExactLee.com has an interesting take on the printer from a stay-at-home mom who’s been a longtime fan of Kodak brand cameras. She likes the easy Wi-Fi setup and the ability to scan directly to a memory card. In addition, she likes the convenience of having 3-in-1 functionality at home without having to tote the kids around to the local library to make a copy. Interestingly enough, while the review agrees that ink cartridges are affordable, they run out too quickly, which seems to go against Kodak’s low cost per page ad campaign. Regardless, the Kodak ESP 7250 has a reasonable MSRP and a comprehensive, easy-to-use feature set, which should be enough to satisfy your average home user.

Peter Piazza of About.com gives the Kodak ESP 7250 a solid 3.5 stars out of 5. He likes the Wi-Fi, low cost per page for ink, dedicated photo tray, auto-duplexing, and good photo and text quality. On the other hand, Piazza isn’t blown away by the print speed, and an ADF would’ve been nice. Keep in mind that while he talks about liking the standard Bluetooth, the product page for the ESP 7250 says Bluetooth requires an “optional accessory.”

Finally, Jason Gillard of Gadgetboyz.net labels the Kodak ESP 7250 as Highly Recommended for the same basic reasons the other reviewers endorse it. Gillard adds that it’s easy to set up, easy to use, and photos are “stunning, very vivid and sharp.” The ESP 7250 is a little noisy, but the affordable MSRP, solid performance, and low cost per page make it a very good buy.

Overall, reviewers seem to agree that the Kodak ESP 7250 delivers almost everything it says it will in its spec sheet. So unless you’re a stickler for faxing or an ADF, this printer is a capable and complete inkjet MFP that makes it easy to execute everyday office and photo printing tasks.

David English of ComputerShopper.com gives the PIXMA MX340 a very good 7.9 out of 10. The printer is generally well-designed and easy to use, and print quality for text and photos is top-notch. That said, print speeds are slow, and the LCD is harder to read because of its smaller size, lower resolution, and lack of backlighting. In addition, cost per page is on the high side. But given the outstanding output quality and low price tag, English considers the PIXMA MX340 a very good all-around value.

M. David Stone of PCMag.com gives the PIXMA MX340 an excellent 4 out of 5. He agrees that print quality is impressive, and the ADF and Wi-Fi are nice to have. On the other hand, Stone doesn’t like the slow print speed, high cost per page and low 100 sheet paper capacity. In addition, the lack of auto-duplexing and Ethernet limits its utility in certain work situations. But despite the shortcomings, Stone likes the solid balance of home- and office-friendly features for the price.

Kristofer Brozio of TestFreaks.com gives the PIXMA MX340 an outstanding 9 out of 10, making it a TestFreaks Recommended printer. According to the review, setup is simple, print quality is very good, print speeds are fast, and cost per page is reasonable. In other words, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Brozio doesn’t see the flaws that Stone and English see.

Overall, the PIXMA MX340 gets plenty of acclaim from the critics for its excellent output quality and versatile feature set at a low price. Print speed is a little slow, and cost per page is a little high, but the experts seem to agree that it’s a very good value for a home office.

David English of ComputerShopper.com gives the PIXMA MX350 an excellent 8.3 out of 10. He likes the design, ease of use, and comprehensive feature set. On the other hand, English says print speeds are notably slow. Also, cost per page is on the high side, although it’s somewhat justified by the high print quality. If you don’t need a big LCD screen or flash card connectivity, he recommends saving $50 and getting the PIXMA MX340 instead.

Sarah Meyer of PrinterComparison.com gives the PIXMA MX350 a decent 3 stars out of 5. Setup is straightforward, and the features and included software are easy to use for the most part. Print quality is good for both text and photos, and print speeds are in line with Canon’s reported numbers. Using the OEM PG-210 and CL-211 standard ink cartridges, the printer printed 230 pages before a ‘low ink’ warning popped up, and 271 pages before the black ink ran out. According to Meyer, there are two things holding the PIXMA MX350 back from being a viable workplace printer – the low ink yields that result in higher cost per page, and “lengthy processing times ranging from 30 seconds to more than a minute.”

Overall, the consensus is that the PIXMA MX350 is a capable all-in-one that doesn’t quite cut it in a workplace environment. But if you’re a home user who doesn’t print a ton of pages and doesn’t need blazing print speed, this printer is a pretty good bargain.

Canon is well-known for making all-in-ones that help you effectively mix business and pleasure, and the new PIXMA MX870 is no exception. It prints, scans, copies and faxes, and features a 2.5” LCD for previewing photos. You can also share the printer over a network via Wi-Fi and Ethernet, or print wirelessly from your iPhone or iPod Touch with the Easy-PhotoPrint app. Small offices will appreciate the paper-saving auto-duplexer and 35 page ADF for hands-free paper processing.

Printer Specifications: Canon PIXMA MX870
	At a Glance: Inkjet All-In-One (print/scan/copy/fax) best for home or small office. MSRP: $199.99 Recommended Paper: LD Heavy Coated Matte Inkjet Paper (8.5”X11”) LD Premium Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper (4”X6”) Ink Cartridges: CLI-221 Black, PGI-220 Pigment Black, CLI-221 Cyan, CLI-221 Magenta, CLI-221 Yellow
	Notable Features:		Print/scan/copy/fax, auto-duplexing, 35 page ADF, 2.5” LCD, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, print from iPhone and iPod Touch via Easy-PhotoPrint, PC-free printing via memory card and PictBridge, optional Bluetooth
	Max Printing Speed:		4”x6” photo in 39 seconds, up to 6.1 images/min (COLOR ISO/IEC 24734) up to 9.4 images/min (B/W ISO/IEC 24734)
	Resolution:		9600×2400 dpi (Color print), 600×600 dpi (B/W print) 2400×4800 dpi (Optical scan)
	Cartridge Yield:		324 pages (PGI-220BK), 3425 pages (CLI-221BK), 535 pages (CLI-221C), 510 pages (CLI-221M), 530 pages (CLI-221Y)
	Paper Capacity:		150 sheet rear tray, 150 sheet paper cassette, 35 page ADF
	Cost Per Page (OEM):		5 cents per page (PGI-220 Black and CLI-221 Black), 12.4 cents per page (Color)
	Cost Per Page (Compatible):		Assuming same page yield as OEM: 2.3 cents per page (PGI-220 Black and CLI-221 Black), 5.8 cents per page (Color)
	Connectivity:		Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Memory Card, PictBridge, optional Bluetooth
	Compatibility:		Mac and Windows
	Max Media Size:		Legal (8.5”x14&rdquo)
	Dimensions:		19.4”x17.1”x8.9”
	Weight:		26.1 lbs.

The Kodak ESP 7250 is a photo-oriented inkjet MFP that prints, scans, copies, and offers an auto-duplexer for eco-friendly double-sided printing. It features a generous 40 sheet dedicated photo tray that helps you automatically switch between photo paper for photos and plain paper for documents. The 2.4” color LCD enables you to preview photos, and you can connect to the printer over a network via Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Printer Specifications: Kodak ESP 7250
	At a Glance: Inkjet All-In-One (print/scan/copy) best for home or small office. MSRP: $199.99 Recommended Paper: LD Heavy Coated Matte Inkjet Paper (8.5”X11”) LD Premium Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper (4”X6”) Ink Cartridges: Kodak 10 Black, Kodak 10 Color
	Notable Features:		Print/scan/copy, auto-duplexer, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, network-enabled for iPhone/iPod Touch/Blackberry Smartphones, optional Bluetooth, PC-free printing via PictBridge and memory card, 40 sheet automatic dedicated photo tray, 2.4” color LCD
	Max Printing Speed:		4”x6” photo in 29 seconds, up to 30 pages/min (COLOR) up to 32 pages/min (B/W)
	Resolution:		Print: N/A 2400 dpi (Optical scan)
	Cartridge Yield:		Kodak 10 Black: 442 pages, Kodak 10 Color (Color text and photos): 219 pages, 156 photos
	Paper Capacity:		100 sheets, 40 sheet dedicated photo paper tray
	Cost Per Page (OEM):		2.3 cents per page of black text (Kodak 10 Black), 6.8 cents per page of color text and 9.6 cents per photo (Kodak 10 Color)
	Cost Per Page (Compatible):		1.4 cents per page of black text (Kodak 10 Black), 4.1 cents per page of color text and 5.8 cents per photo (Kodak 10 Color)
	Connectivity:		Wi-Fi, network-enabled for iPhone, iPod Touch and Blackberry Smartphones, Ethernet, USB, optional Bluetooth, PictBridge, memory card, DPOF
	Compatibility:		Mac and Windows
	Max Media Size:		photos up to Letter (8.5”x11”), documents up to Legal (8.5”x14”)
	Dimensions:		17.5”x7.4”x17”
	Weight:		18.7 lbs.

As the name suggests, the Kodak ESP Office 6150 is a work-oriented all-in-one that prints, scans, copies and faxes. The 2.4” color LCD screen enables you to preview photos, and auto-duplexing helps you save paper. In addition, the 30 page ADF makes it faster and easier to fax, scan and copy multi-page jobs.

Printer Specifications: Kodak ESP Office 6150
	At a Glance: Office Inkjet All-In-One (print/scan/copy/fax) best for home or small office. MSRP: $229.99 Recommended Paper: LD sHeavy Coated Matte Inkjet Paper (8.5”X11”) LD Premium Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper (4”X6”) Ink Cartridges: Kodak 10 Black, Kodak 10 Color
	Notable Features:		Print/scan/copy/fax, 2.4” color LCD, auto-duplexing, 30 page ADF, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, network enabled for iPhone, iPod Touch and Blackberry Smartphones
	Max Printing Speed:		29 seconds per 4”x6” photo, up to 30 pages/min (COLOR) up to 32 pages/min (B/W)
	Resolution:		Print: N/A 1200 dpi (Optical scan)
	Cartridge Yield:		Kodak 10 Black: 442 pages, Kodak 10 Color (Color text and photos): 219 pages, 156 photos
	Paper Capacity:		200 pages, 30 page ADF
	Cost Per Page (OEM):		2.3 cents per page of black text (Kodak 10 Black), 6.8 cents per page of color text and 9.6 cents per photo (Kodak 10 Color)
	Cost Per Page (Compatible):		1.4 cents per page of black text (Kodak 10 Black), 4.1 cents per page of color text and 5.8 cents per photo (Kodak 10 Color)
	Connectivity:		Wi-Fi, iPhone/iPod Touch/Blackberry Smartphone network-enabled, Ethernet, USB
	Compatibility:		Mac and Windows
	Max Media Size:		Legal (8.5”x14”)
	Dimensions:		17.5”x9.3”x16.8”
	Weight:		18.7 lbs.