The LaserJet 3320mfp is a multifunction device offering a combination of copier, printer and colour scanner. It looks like other recent HP multifunction devices, with a visually unobtrusive two-tone grey casing and an intuitive, easy-to-use control panel.

However, unlike recent personal HP multifunctional devices, the 3320mfp is part of the company's new range of flatbed LaserJet devices aimed at business users.

Installation of the 3320mfp's software is straightforward and, in addition to Windows XP, 2000, ME, NT 4.0 and 98, drivers are also supplied for Macintosh OS 9.1 or higher.

There's also limited support available for Windows 95 and, although drivers for Linux and OS/2 aren't included on the installation CDRom, they're available for download from HP's website.

Connection to the network can be achieved by sharing the device via a connected PC, although a better solution is HP's Jetdirect 310x external print server (£219.99 ex. VAT).

In addition to the 3320mfp's integrated parallel and USB interfaces, connectivity options include an 802.11b wireless module for £310.99 (ex. VAT).

Software includes LaserJet Director, LaserJet Document Manager, LaserJet Scan Control Viewer, LaserJet Copier, Photo Centre and LaserJet Configuration Utility.

Also included is a copy of ReadIRIS PRO OCR 7.0, enabling you to scan documents for digital storage and archiving.

In addition to the installation CDRom, which also contains the user guide, the 3320mfp comes supplied with a 250-sheet paper tray and an automatic document feeder.

The LaserJet print engine offers a native resolution of 1,200 x 1,200dpi and has a duty cycle of 10,000 pages per month, making the device suitable for general office use.

Text output when printing is of a very high standard and can be adjusted via the 3320mfp's driver or front panel for better reproduction of photographic images.

Alternatively, you can also set it for a toner-saving draft output mode. The device's flat paper path makes it possible to print on paper up to 163gsm.

The 3320mfp is also supplied with a priority printing input tray, which is located above the normal tray. If media is present in the priority input tray, this will be used before media from the normal input tray.

This means that if you need to print a document starting with letterhead paper, followed by plain paper, you can simply load a sheet of letterhead into the priority input tray and print.

It isn't as good a solution as having two dedicated input trays that you can keep stocked with letterhead and plain paper, but it does at least mean you don't have to empty and refill the paper tray every time you need to use letter headed paper.

Copying is a simple one-touch operation, with panel-mounted buttons for setting number of copies, automatic collation and copy size. HP claims a top speed of 14ppm for copying and printing, although in use this figure is hard to achieve.

Copying can take longer if you have to wait for the copy bulb and print engine to warm up, but speeds of 4ppm to 6ppm can be expected in normal use for printing and copying.

The 3320mfp's scanner has a true optical resolution of 600spi, with an interpolated resolution of 9,600spi. Scanning can be initiated either from a PC or from the 3320mfp's front panel and, once a document has been scanned, its digital image can be managed using the supplied software.

The 3320mfp's automatic document feeder holds up to 50 sheets of 90gsm paper and HP recommends that it be used for general purpose copying and scanning, while the flatbed scanner should be used for copying or scanning fragile, thin or thick media.

Obviously, it's possible to buy a scanner and a monochrome printer for less than the cost of the 3320mfp, although contriving a one-touch copier from these components would be difficult and unreliable. Sharing and managing them across a network would also prove problematic.

With the addition of an external print server, though, the 3320mfp provides all of this functionality in a single, easily managed network device.

The 3320mfp is an ideal solution for those with a lack of space and, by providing the functionality of its component peripherals in a compact, easily managed package, it's also good for anyone looking for a business tool capable of performing most office chores.

Price: £552.99 (ex. VAT)

Specifications:

OS: Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT 4.0, XP, Mac OS 9.1, Linux, OS/2
Engine technology: Monochrome laser
Print processor: 66MHz Motorola ColdFire
Memory: 32Mb
Duty cycle: 10,000 pages per month.

Contact: Hewlett Packard 08705 474 747
www.hp.co.uk