You've seen them on the shelf at the computer store and, if you're a certain kind of person, they're calling out to you. If you prize convenience, love to save space and want as many gadgets crammed into one package as possible, you've probably been eyeing all-in-one printers for some time.

But maybe you don't want them for yourself. Maybe you're considering one for business. After all, what better way to watch the bottom line than to buy one product instead of four?

For those of you who haven't noticed these little boxes, here's what they are: a printer (inkjet or laser), scanner and copier, and sometimes a fax machine, all smushed together into a single device. Sometimes they're called all-in-one devices, sometimes multifunction devices (for obvious reasons), but whatever the name, they all do the same things.

Here are some of the pros and cons of all-in-one printers you'll want to consider before buying.

Pros
Convenience - Most of us don't have an IT department or tech support team to install and maintain our computer equipment, so having to install one device instead of three or four is appealing.

Cost Savings - All-in-one printers cost from about US$200 and up. It's not very likely that you'll be able to find a standalone printer, scanner, copier and fax machine for less than $300. At least ones that aren't stolen, that is.

Maintenance Savings - If you're using an all-in-one for business, you'll spend less maintaining it. While it may not be four times cheaper to keep an all-in-one printer up and running, it's definitely less than having your IT staff maintain four separate devices.

Space Savings - If you've got a small office or limited desk space, one peripheral is almost always better than four.

Bonuses - Some newer all-in-ones offer slots for removable storage media that allow you access to files on media like CompactFlash or MemoryStick without needing to buy a separate media reader.

Archive - By sending faxes through the PC, multifunction users will be able to better manage, track and archive faxes than they would if they were simply printing out documents and sending them.

Cons
Higher Long-Term Cost - Even though the upfront cost of an all-in-one is lower than separate devices, this cost can be deceiving. Because you'll be using a single ink or laser toner cartridge for all your printing, copying and faxing, you may burn through the expensive cartridges quickly. Also, the per-page cost of making copies with an ink jet cartridge is higher than with a photocopier.

If One Breaks ... - It may seem neat to have four machines in one, but if one of them breaks, it won't seem so nice. If the printer component of your all-in-one breaks, your scanner, fax and copier will follow it into the repair shop. And that can't happen if you depend on any of those other parts for your business.

You Get What You Pay For - Though it's nice to have all the equipment you need in an easy package, it's not always the route to the best components. Most of the time, you'll find higher-quality, more full-featured components if you buy them separately.

Compatibility - Whether your computer is compatible with your peripherals is (usually) a minor worry if you use Windows. But if you use a Macintosh, you may find that some all-in-one printers won't work with your computer. Be sure to check and double check this point.

The Bottom Line
All-in-ones are a good fit for people mostly looking to print or copy and who have lighter faxing or scanning needs. They can also be a good for a home office or for a family.

If you're pressed for space or on a tight budget but want to get the most out of your computer, you might want to give an all-in-one a look.

However, since their drawbacks outweigh their benefits, multifunction devices are not for business use in situations where the look of documents or quality graphics are at a premium. But small work groups, general office tasks and other similar uses are great business applications for all-in-ones.

Otherwise, unfortunately for your wallet, you'll probably want to spend the money for a separate printer, scanner, copier and fax.