Beyond Words

New printers can do it all.

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Printers, as we once knew them, are dull. Today's models are singing, dancing, color-scanning, faxing, copying, input-output devices that serve as a bridge between computers and the real world, between digital bits and hard-copy atoms--which may not necessarily be traditional ink and paper. They handle multiple tasks faster than ever. They take input from memory cards and digital cameras. New color laser printers are making professional-quality output more affordable and common. And specialized devices are writing with stuff that isn't ink on surfaces that aren't paper, even rendering objects in three dimensions. Goodbye dot matrix, hello The Matrix.

Best for... Working solo

Canon (NYSE:CAJ) Pixma MP830 Office All-in-One

What it is: A multifunction color inkjet for the office. It prints, copies, scans, and faxes.

What's cool: It's fast for an inkjet at 30 pages per minute for black and white, 24 per minute for color. A big document feeder holds up to 35 pages, and it can print two-sided copies. The Pixma accepts memory cards and can scan documents to e-mail.

Drawbacks: It's not designed for a network, so it's best for a small or home office. While inkjets are better at printing photos than laser printers are, lasers are better with type and line drawings. Laser jets print faster, especially in color. Plus, while the printer itself is inexpensive, you could end up paying a lot for toner.

Price: $240 to $280

Best for... Cranking out letters and documents

HP LaserJet P3005dn

What it is: A high-volume black-and-white laser printer for small-office networks

What's cool: It comes out of sleep mode and starts printing in less than 10 seconds, then can print up to 17 two-sided pages per minute. The toner for this model comes in a 6,500-page version and a 13,000-page version, both of which price out to less than 2 cents a page, a good number in the printing world.

Drawbacks: It's just a black-and-white printer. There are close competitors that cost less but may lack some of the font management techniques and other features HP (NYSE:HPQ) has developed.

Price: $900

Best for... Printing on the go

Pentax PocketJet 3

What it is: A printer that is small enough to take on the road.

What's cool: Just 10 inches wide, the PocketJet 3 is about the size of a big stapler and weighs just over a pound, including its battery. It can print wirelessly using infrared or Bluetooth technology and lasts for about 100 pages before its battery needs recharging.

Drawbacks: This printer requires a special thermal paper, so you'll have to carry that with you (and if you run out, you probably won't be able to borrow some from your client). It does not print in color. It's much slower than conventional printers, producing about three pages a minute.

Price: Starts at $349. The thermal paper is $10.99 for 100 sheets.

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