The Brother MFC-5840CN is good value for a networked MFP, but slow speeds and middling print quality limit its usefulness in an office setting.

The Brother MFC-7440N is a capable mono laser multifunction that suffers from several flaws which may impact on its use in offices. It costs $100 more than the MFC-7340, but the addition of the Ethernet port is a boon for productivity.

With fast printing, quality output, easy networking, and a built-in duplexer, the Brother HL-5250DN would be a great choice for a small office.

The HL-2070N is a well-built printer for small groups of low-volume users.

The MFC-7840W improves on its cheaper counterparts with the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the extra $100 compared to the MFC-7440N hardly seems justified. This multifunction makes a good printer, but its scanning quality isn't great.

Canon touts the Canon Pixma MX850 as a multifunction powerhouse, and it's worthy of such a description. On top of being fast, easy to use, and excellent at outputting documents and photos, the MX850 includes features such as a duplexer and an automatic document feeder — making it an office-friendly printer. Despite its less-than-impressive scanner output, the Pixma MX850 is a stellar choice.

The IP8500 prints photos very quickly, has a duplexer, and has cheaper-than-averages ink and paper costs. However, its limited direct-print features make it best suited for use hooked up to a PC.

This well-appointed MFP should be up to handling the workload in most small offices.

The PIXMA has features that are very useful in a small office environment, such as a relatively large paper handling capacity, an automatic duplex unit and an automatic document feeder. It's also fast and quiet.

Canon's LBP-5200 offers straightforward colour laser printing for a single machine or small workgroup. Unfortunately, you'll be struggling to get it to work with Mac OS or Linux

The MP830 has a strong combination of features and terrific performance, making it a worthy option for small businesses, despite its bulky size

It may not look pretty, but underneath its boxy exterior the MP600R has plenty of useful features that make it a great all-round multifunction centre for the home or small office.