It has a color LCD in the front panel which lets you see the images that are on the media cards as well as preview any images that are being scanned. It’s a small screen, but quite viewable. Using it effectively to see what images are going to be printed, rather than having to print each selection out before being able to see it, can save a lot of wasted ink and paper. Proprietary contact image system (CIS) technology is used for scanning. It has an optical scan resolution of 2400x1200 dpi, which can be enhanced up to 19,200x19,200 dpi. Its digital camera memory card reader reads supports all popular types of removable digital camera media. Using thermal inkjet print technology, the unit can generate high-quality photo-realistic borderless prints at up to 4800x1200 dpi resolution in color and 2400x1200 in black-and-white on plain, glossy and specialty photo papers using a six-color ink set. The P-6250 can be connected to either Windows or Mac systems through a high-speed USB 2.0 cable. Ethernet network and wireless connectivity are available as an option. Street price is $199. For more information,visit www.lexmark.com. Another unit with a lot of capabilities is Epson’s Stylus Photo RX500. It’s a little bit larger unit, but still only takes up the desk space of an inkjet printer. It offers superior six-color photo printing and copying with or without a computer. Individual ink cartridges reduce ink costs. Epson Stylus Photo RX500 The RX500 includes a full-featured 48-bit flatbed scanner with a 2400x4800-dpi resolution. Epson’s Easy Photo Fix scanning technology ensures high-quality output, including restoring faded photographs close to their original conditions. The unit also supports Print Image Matching (P.I.M.) technology for accurate color. It also has a transparency adapter built-in into it, making it possible to scan both 35mm and medium-format originals. There’s a handy storage compartment in the lid, so that you don’t lose the document cover or the transparency adapter. Advanced Micro Piezo inkjet technology generates output at an optimized 5760x1440 dpi resolution. And the unit reads the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) from digital camera memory cards for automated printing. It can print full-bleed, 8.5x11-inch borderless prints. Besides a variety of paper stocks and card sizes, it can also print on panoramic 8.3x23.4-inch photo paper. The RX500 has an LCD panel on front, but it’s only a monochrome screen that’s used to select menu options and display status information; it can’t display images. It’s very easy to use the menu to come up with the desired results. Convenient built-in card slots accept all removable memory cards. Besides copying, the unit also supports scan-to-card capabilities, which make it possible digitize and store images and documents, without being connected to a computer. It can be connected to either Windows or Macintosh systems, and has a street price of $229. For more information, go to www.epson.com. Canon’s entry into the field is the PIXMA MP780 Photo All-in-One. It has an additional capability. Besides the scanning and printing capabilities, it can also be used as a fax machine. That eliminates one more device from a desktop. Canon PIXMA MP780 The MP780 has a maximum scanning resolution of 2400 dpi with a 48-bit color depth. Its maximum print resolution is 4800x1200 dpi. It supports PictBridge, which makes it possible to connect any compatible digital camera or DV camcorder, and print directly from it. Canon Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) and the unit’s ContrastPLUS five-color ink system, which includes four dye-based inks plus a pigment-based black ink, produces very high-quality photos as well as document output that rivals laser printers. Individual ink tanks can be switched out separately, to save on ink costs. The unit’s dual paper path makes it possible to keep an alternate type of paper ready for printing, without constantly having to change out the paper stock. Electronic sorting automatically collates copies that are being generated. The MP780 has a street price of $299.99. For more info, go to www.usa.canon.com.