Dell A940

This multifunction device is aimed squarely at the small business/home user market providing scanning, fax and high-quality photo printing in one box.

Installation was hassle-free and before long the A940 was ready to go. The published print speeds held true and we managed 17ppm of text and 12ppm in colour using draft mode. We also managed to scan an A4 image in 40 seconds at 1,200dpi. While this is fast, the output wasn't as good as we've seen on some other scanners.

The copy function managed an A4 page in 30 seconds, which is hardly breakneck speed, but the quality was as good as that of an industrial photocopier, although it's likely to be taxing on ink cartridges. The colour photo prints, on the other hand, didn't challenge the output of a good-quality mid-range inkjet. However, it's still satisfactory for general-purpose printing.

The user has a great deal of control of the unit via the control panel and small LCD screen. This allows you to perform all the functions, including using your PC's fax modem facility to send faxes, without having to directly interact with the PC.

Looks aren't usually an issue, but the A940 is truly ugly. Had Dell simply glued a scanner and a printer together the result would have been more aesthetically pleasing. It also has a large footprint - about 50cm square, which will be a problem for those with cluttered desks or a small working environment.

The A940 puts in a good performance but doesn't really excel in any of its roles, plus the cost of consumables will rack up with heavy use.

But if you're looking for a short-term solution to your productivity needs then this is probably the product for you.

Contact: Dell 0870 152 4699
www.dell.co.uk

Specifications:

• 4,800 x 1,200dpi scanner; 600 x 2,400dpi printer
• 24bit
• Inkjet printing
• A4 flatbed Twain scanner
• 47 x 54 x 33.5cm (w x d x h)
• Dell all-in-one driver software
• USB only