How to Buy a Personal Copier

Photocopy machines are not just for large offices anymore. They've become affordable even for home-based businesses.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Copiers

1. Plan to spend between $230 and $800.

2. Decide how fast you need the machine to be. Expect the number of copies per minute (CPM) to have a major effect on price. Models that print between 6 and 12 CPM should be sufficient for home-office use.

3. Find out the warm-up time of models under consideration and how many seconds each takes to print one copy (some are up to 10 times faster than others).

4. Decide where you will put the machine and how much space it will require.

5. Look for a unit with a stationary platen (printer plate) if space is very limited.

6. Consider your need to copy and print originals larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches when determining the size of the copier you will buy.

7. Compare paper holding and feeding options. Expect the cheapest models to feed one sheet at a time.

8. Decide which of the following paper handling features you want or need: automatic document feeder, automatic start, automatic paper select, duplexing (two-sided copying), and optional paper trays or cassettes.

9. Compare reduction and enlargement ranges (usually specified as a percentage of the original size) and preset modes.

10. Decide which of the following quality control features you want or need: automatic exposure, manual exposure, photo mode, book mode, and edge erase.

11. Find out the maximum number of pages that a toner cartridge can yield if you will be making many copies.

12. Compare the following elements of manufacturers' limited warranties: length of warranty; length of on-site coverage, if any; and exclusions and limitations.

13. Consider a service contract if your volume justifies it and it covers maintenance, drum replacement, and loaner privileges.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying a scanner instead if you already have a laser printer.
• Consider models from Canon, Xerox and Sharp.
• Considerations for color copiers are beyond the scope of this article.

[testuser]

on 5/29/2007 hfgfg

on 11/22/2005 A critical factor in determining the cost of a machine is the cost of toner cartridges. Beware of low-ball prices that do not include the toner cartridge and of inexpensive machines with extremely high operating costs.