This is a great question because far too many people spend money on things that they are never going to use. Sometimes, a basic copier will do the trick and other times all of the bells and whistles are going to be needed. Before clicking “add to cart,” take the time to really look at the machine and figure out if it is the right fit.
Today, personal copy machines can serve a multitude of tasks. The days of having separate machines has pretty much passed and business owners are looking to save money by getting machines that can handle all of their printing needs, not just their copying. However, each type of personal copy machine will have a different price point and if it isn’t going to be used, don’t waste the money.
The most basic of all small copy machines will have only two features: printing and copying. For the bulk of the people, this is probably all that they will ever use. Printers like this can be found for about $50 and do a great job. They will serve as both the printer for your computer and handle any copying tasks that are needed. They are almost considered disposable because it may be cheaper to buy a new one that it would be to replace the ink.
The next step up would be to add a scanner. Now this is a feature that many people pay for, but few of them actually use. While there was time when scanners were very popular, the advancement of digital cameras and the ease with which photos can be downloaded have made scanners all but obsolete. If this feature is not needed, don’t add it.
Finally, there is the ability to fax. This is again a feature that few people will actually ever use and it significantly increases the cost of the small copy machine. If there are only going to be a few faxes a year, it may be best to just subscribe to an online site or run to the copy store. Again, why waste the money if the feature will never see the light of day?
