Choosing an A3 format MFP

At home, you can do, in principle, and printers for a standard A4 sheet. But it is still useful to know exactly how to choose an A3 format MFP, what to consider when buying. It is equally important to pay attention to the rating of the optimal modifications.

With all the development of network communication, the need to work with paper texts not only does not decrease, but even grows quantitatively. And therefore it is very important to know what the A3 format MFPs are. Most often, in the descriptions of this type of device, they only note that they replace multiple devices at once, saving money and space at the same time. But it is also important to emphasize that such modern units work no worse than their "separate" counterparts. And here, however, another logical question arises - why is A3 better than A4.

The answer is obvious: the device allows you to go beyond working with documents and personal photographs. Even professional-grade business products can be successfully created. Modern network MFPs can be used by several family members at the same time, which automatically solves the queuing problem.

Now A3 format MFPs are comfortable and ergonomic. They scan various texts and images quickly and practically without errors. This technique can be supplemented with a facsimile unit. All together allows you to cook:

• information posters;
• materials for presentations;
• advertising and marketing materials;
• low-circulation high quality editions.

The cheapest type of MFP A3 is the inkjet type of device. It is these models that are most often preferred to use at home. By default, ink is usually contained in replaceable cartridges, but some of the more convenient modifications come with CISS. This solution can significantly increase the speed of work and reduce problems when refueling.

In addition, the continuous supply of ink, as practice shows, significantly saves them. And the device itself will be relatively inexpensive. There are three clear drawbacks:

• nevertheless, ink is quite expensive;
• it is almost impossible to ensure high printing speed;
• you need to print regularly or the ink will constantly dry out.

The multifunctional printing apparatus can be color or black and white. The second option is mainly chosen for office and business needs, if you only need to prepare documents of various kinds. Such models will also come in handy for students, schoolchildren, and most scientific workers. But designers, architects and other people with a creative nature of activity will not be delighted with such a decision. However, everything here is very individual, and if the device is bought as a gift, then you need not make a surprise, but clarify all the subtleties and nuances in advance.

A monochrome printing unit that combines a printer and a scanner, most often has a laser work unit. By itself, such an MFP costs quite a lot of money. But when you print significant amounts of text, you can save on consumables. In addition, laser texts and graphic images are highly resistant to adverse environmental influences.

It should be noted that the LED version of the MFP is just a modified laser device... The use of a series of LEDs instead of a single high-power source allows for a reduction in overall dimensions.The absence of moving parts makes it possible (with proper care) to increase the overall reliability of the MFP. For those who print a lot and often, the ADF versions are available. They also differ in the capacity of the hopper (tray) for paper. Returning to the principles of operation, it is worth mentioning an MFP with a thermo-sublimation mechanism.

This solution allows you to perform photo printing at an exceptionally high level. In the process of work, special solid ink evaporates, bypassing the liquid aggregate phase.

In the top of the best A3 format MFPs confidently leads Xerox B1022DN... This is a modern laser model, painted in gray and black tones; the device is designed for high quality black and white printing. The resolution reaches 1200x1200 pixels per inch. The owner will see the first print in 9.1 seconds. The speed of work in A3 format is 11 pages per minute, and in A4 format the productivity is twice as high.

Other technical characteristics:

• the number of pages printed per month - up to 50 thousand;
• optical power of the scanner - up to 600x600 points per inch;
• scanning rate - up to 30 pages per minute;
• automatic feeder is not provided;
• scanning to e-mail or to USB media is possible;
• copying - up to 22 pages per minute;
• 600 MHz processor;
• 256 MB of RAM;
• there is no fax site;
• RJ-45;
• AirPrint;
• Xerox Print Service.

A pleasant alternative can be considered Ricoh MP 2014D... This is an advanced laser-based MFP, also designed for black and white printing. Print speed reaches 20 pages per minute. Provides automatic two-sided printing. The total resolution is 600x600 dots per inch, the same is the scanning resolution.

The Ricoh product scans up to 20 A3 pages per minute. The files obtained in this way are either placed in a specific directory or sent to e-mail. The scale changes from 50 to 200% in 1% increments. The capacity of the input and output trays is 250 sheets.

The choice of large format inkjet MFPs is comparatively limited. But it definitely falls into the category of the best HP OfficeJet Pro 7740. The device, along with the usual functions, is also designed for sending faxes. Full format color images can be printed up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. The print speed is 18 pages per minute.

Duplex printing is also provided. In flatbed scanner mode, the machine will automatically process up to 14 pages per minute. The paper tray holds up to 250 sheets. Their density can range from 0.06 to 0.105 kg.

As an alternative, you can consider inkjet MFP Brother MFC-J6945DW... This model is also designed for sending faxes. Piezoelectric technology is used to display texts and images on paper. Automatic two-sided printing is possible, even in color. Color print speed - up to 27 pages, monochrome - up to 35 pages; the manufacturer recommends not printing more than 2,000 pages per month. Other technical nuances:

• CISS is missing;
• optimal printing of photos;
• flatbed and extended mode of the scanner;
• copies cannot be reduced or enlarged;
• the automatic feeder is initially present;
• scanning at a speed of 11 A3 pages or 18 A4 pages;
• the ability to scan to network folders, cloud services or FTP servers.

The default is 4 cartridges. It is possible to print on paper with a density of 0.064 to 0.22 kg per 1 sq. m. You can print on glossy, recycled paper, as well as on photo paper. Memory cards are not supported. The amount of RAM reaches 512 MB; work under Linux, MacOS is possible.

Do not think that any MFP is absolutely suitable for your home. This is a dangerous delusion. First of all, you need to decide on the type of printed element. Everything is simple here: laser models themselves are expensive, but they are cheap to print, while inkjet models are the other way around.In addition, a laser color machine will cost an impressive amount at all.

It makes almost no sense to send and receive fax messages at home. Unless only when there is an impromptu office. And even in office models, such a function is less and less common due to the spread of modern communications. But this is not a reason to neglect it. You shouldn't chase a special resolution, but the difference between 600x600 and 1200x1200 prints is quite noticeable.

If you plan to limit yourself to working with documents, then 1200x1200 resolution will be enough. How exactly the inkjet printer unit works is also important. Thermal printheads are cheaper than piezoelectric ones, but they don't offer decent print quality. And another drawback is that the paint acts as a coolant in addition. If the dye runs out in at least one color, the resistor will quickly burn out, and the head will be inoperative.

In order not to constantly monitor the availability of ink, it will be easier and more convenient to immediately buy a model with CISS. But then the capacity of the reservoir becomes decisive. The higher it is, the less often you will need refueling. True, each of them will be more laborious and take longer.

In the next video, you will find a brief overview of the Xerox DocuCentre SC2020 A3 MFP.