HP Officejet Pro X551dw Printer
The X551dw is built around HP PageWide Technology, which uses a printhead that goes from edge to edge across the page (although there's a 0.17-inch non-printable margin on each side, similar to what you'll get with a laser).This lets the printer print the entire width of the page at once, and print from top to bottom in one sweep, instead of shuttling the printhead back and forth to print each line.
Pros
Fast. Low running cost. Ample paper capacity. Touch-screen controls. Prints from USB key. Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
Cons
Although output quality is otherwise excellent, black text is a touch grayish, and color graphics are a touch dulled down.
Bottom Line
The HP Officejet Pro X551dw Printer beats the competition in its price range on speed, output quality, paper handling, and cost per page.
HP Officejet Pro X576dw MFP
As you might expect for a top-of-the-line model, the X576dw offers just about every office-oriented MFP function you can think of. It can print and fax from, as well as scan to, a PC, including over a network; work as a standalone copier, fax machine, and email sender; and both scan to and print from a USB memory key.
Pros
Fast. Low running cost. Ample paper capacity. Touch-screen controls. Prints, scans, copies, faxes, and emails. Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
Cons
Although output quality is otherwise excellent, black text is a touch grayish, and color graphics are a touch dulled down
Bottom Line
The HP Officejet Pro X576dw MFP matches or beats more expensive lasers on nearly every key aspect, from speed to MFP features to running cost. The bonus: Edge-to-edge printing.
Brother MFC-8950DW
Clearly aimed at a micro or small office or workgroup with heavy-duty needs, the MFC-8950DW can print, scan, and fax, including over a network. It can also serve as a standalone copier and fax machine, with the touch screen helping to make it unusually easy to use in those roles.
Pros
Prints, scans, copies, and faxes. Duplex (two-sided) printing and duplex scanning. Touch-screen controls.
Cons
Output quality is no better than par across the board. Speed is similarly acceptable but unimpressive.
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-8950DW can serve as a heavy-duty mono laser MFP in a micro or small office, with excellent paper handling and the convenience of touch-screen controls.
Brother MFC-J4510DW
Like the HP 6700, the MFC-J4510DW offers Web-connected features and mobile printing. It will let you print from and scan to an assortment of online services, including Google Docs and Dropbox, as well as print from a smartphone or tablet with a Wi-Fi connection, using AirPrint or Brother's own print app.It even offers Wi-Fi Direct for easy connection. Very much worth mention is the 3.7-inch touch screen on the front panel, which makes it easy to both change settings and give commands.
Pros
Can print at up to tabloid size (11 by 17 inches) with manual feeding. Automatic document feeder. Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
Cons
Although speed and output quality are generally acceptable, neither is impressive. Sub-par graphics quality.
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J4510DW is basically a letter-size MFP that's strong on features and adds the unusual trick of printing on manually fed paper as large as 11 by 17 inches.
Canon Pixma MX922 Wireless Office All-In-One Printer
Like the Canon MX522, the MX922 can print and fax from, as well as scan to, a PC; it can work as a standalone copier and fax machine; and it can both scan to and print from a USB key, with the ability to preview images on its three-inch color LCD.It also offers both Ethernet and Wi-Fi support, a duplexer (for two-sided printing), and both a letter size flatbed and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning.
Pros
Prints, faxes, scans, copies. Prints on discs. Automatic document feeder. Ethernet. Wi-Fi.
Bottom Line
The Canon Pixma MX922 Wireless Office All-In-One Printer more than makes up for its slow speed for business applications with its output quality and MFP features.
Dell 1355cnw Multifunction Color Printer
There aren't many color multifunction printers (MFPs) that are both laser-class and small enough to fit on a desk to use as a personal printer. Of those that are, even fewer offer the kind of speed and paper handling that would also let them serve as a shared printer for a micro office. The LED-based Dell 1355cnw Multifunction Color Printer ($419.99 direct) is one of those few. Small, fast, and highly capable.Pros
Small enough to serve as a personal MFP. High quality output, particularly for graphics.
Cons
No duplexer. Relatively low paper capacity for a shared printer.
Bottom Line
Whether you need a shared MFP in a micro, small, or home office or a personal MFP in any size office, the Dell 1355cnw Multifunction Color Printer is a prime candidate.