Brother's MFC-240C multifunction device is not a heavy-duty workhorse, but at less than $100, you probably shouldn't expect one. Instead, the MFC-240C gives you a handy collection of average features in a small multifunction device.

This multifunction device's strength is its print function. The MFC-240C can print in draft mode at maximum speeds of 25 pages per minite for black and 20 ppm for color, but the print quality suffers a lot in draft mode. The unit's top print resolution of 6000x1200 dpi is good for photographs, and the MFC-240C can accept several types of flash memory cards for direct printing. However, don't expect any quick prints for photographs--the MFC-240C slows to far less than 1 ppm when printing at high resolutions.

The MFC-240C's fax capabilities are below average. It will send faxes at speeds up to 10 ppm, and you cannot receive faxes through your computer. This unit contains 16 MB of memory, which allows you to store 170 pages in memory. You can copy in black or full color, however, and reduce or enlarge the original at between 25 and 400 percent at 1 percent increments. In draft mode, you can copy at speeds up to 18 ppm, but that mode causes copy quality to suffer quite a bit. This unit's glass-top surface--something not always found on low-priced multifunction devices--makes copying and scanning easy. The MFC-240C scans in either black or full color, and its top optical resolution is 600x2400 dpi.

The MFC-240C has a 100-sheet paper tray and a 10-sheet automatic document feeder, both of which will work well for an office that doesn't need a lot of power. One drawback: The MFC-240C's replacement ink cartridges are expensive. This multifunction device won't fit the needs of every office, but it gives a good value and good features, so some consumers will rank it high on their lists.

Pros: Good value, nice collection of features for value-priced machine, glass-top surface is handy, small overall size
Cons: Replacement inks are expensive, print quality suffers in draft mode, high-quality prints are very slow

Warranty
1 year, limited