Connectivity: A majority of MFPs have USB for connecting to a single Mac. If you have an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, or Time Capsule at home or in a small business, you may be able use USB to connect the MFP to the network device and share the printer over a network.

To connect to a medium of large business, look for Ethernet or wireless connectivity. This may not come as standard equipment, and may be an additional cost. Some MFPs also support Bluetooth for printing from portable devices.

Some MFPs have features that let you perform tasks remotely over a network on a shared MFP. For example, you can scan a document and the MFP distributes the scanned file to computers on the network. In our experience, these features often do not work on a Mac, or they have inconvenient workarounds for Mac compatibility.

Our favorite monochrome MFPs

Budget-conscious users will especially appreciate the Brother MFC-7840W. With an inexpensive cost per print (approximately 3 cents per page), the MFC-7840W is capable of printing very good quality text and business graphics at reasonably fast rates. It's a fine choice for offices that work in a black-and-white world. . [US$300, (); ]