The X2470 is cheap on paper, but its running costs will stack up in the long run. Add to this the average speed and final quality that fails to match that of similar models and you have an MFD that may struggle to establish itself.

The MFC-8860DN is a jack of all trades and has a number of excellent features - above all it is capable of almost anything including printing, scanning, faxing and copying.

The Sony Picture Station DPP-FP55 produces reasonable quality prints at a low cost per print making it a wise choice and value buy.

The FS-1030D comes well recommended with above average print speeds and quality. Its compact size means it's especially ideal for those with minimal office space.

With low ongoing running costs and excellent print speeds, the FS-2000D is definitely an ideal printer for small businesses and workgroups.

The Photo Easy 260 is a commendable entry into the photo printer market but needs a little work to knock out the competition.

The P4350 is an improvement on previous Lexmark models, but there are still some concerns over its print and scanning quality. For the price though, it does combine all the multifunction features into a pretty good looking and easy to use printer.

It's not without its faults, but the Photosmart 8230 is an above average photo printer with speed as its number one drawing card. It does suffer from graining effects, but its colour reproduction and level of detail is excellent for a photo printer in this price range.

For its price, this unit is worth a look, especially if you need faxing capabilities.

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

If you're hunting for an affordably priced multi-purpose, space-saving unit for your home office or small business the MFC-640CW could be for you.

The HP Photosmart 475 is an attractive and portable unit that will more than suffice for someone looking for a solution to photo printing on the move.