If you have shopped for office equipment lately, you will have seen the terms MFD and MFP used everywhere. A multifunction device, or MFD, is simply one machine that does the job of several: print, copy, scan and fax, all from a single unit. Here is what that means in practice, how an MFD differs from an ordinary printer, and how to tell whether your office needs one.
The “multifunction” name is the whole point. Instead of buying and maintaining a separate printer, copier, scanner and fax machine, you have one device that handles every document task. That saves space, simplifies support and, with the right setup, cuts your overall printing costs. It is why the modern multifunction device has become the hub of the typical Australian office.
What does a multifunction device do?
At its core, an MFD brings four functions together:
- Print. Produce documents from any computer or mobile device, in mono or colour, often at high speed and with finishing options like stapling and hole-punching.
- Copy. Duplicate documents quickly, with automatic document feeders that handle multi-page and double-sided originals.
- Scan. Digitise paper to email, network folders or the cloud, turning physical documents into searchable files for your document management workflow.
- Fax. Still essential in sectors like legal, medical and government, and increasingly delivered as secure network or internet fax.
Modern devices add far more on top: large colour touchscreens, user authentication, secure print release, mobile printing and integration with the apps your team already uses. You may also see the term MFP (multifunction printer) used interchangeably with MFD; in everyday use they mean the same thing.
MFD vs a single-function printer
A standard desktop printer does one thing: it prints. That is fine for a home office or a single user, but it quickly becomes limiting in a workplace. The moment you need to copy a contract, scan a signed form or send something securely, a single-function printer leaves you juggling multiple devices and multiple service contracts.
An MFD consolidates all of that into one well-supported machine. Fewer devices means fewer points of failure, one toner supply chain, and a single technician relationship instead of several. For most teams, the consolidation alone pays for itself.
A3 vs A4 multifunction devices
The biggest practical choice is paper size. An A4 MFD handles standard letter and A4 documents and suits smaller teams or distributed desks. An A3 MFD does everything an A4 device does and adds A3 capability, larger paper capacity, faster speeds and more finishing options. If you produce booklets, plans, posters or higher volumes, A3 is usually the better fit.
| Feature | A4 MFD | A3 MFD |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Paper Size | A4 | A3 (supports A4 as well) |
| Best For | Small teams with light to moderate printing. | Busy offices with mixed printing, copying and scanning. |
| Speed & Capacity | Moderate output for everyday office tasks. | Higher speeds with larger paper capacity. |
| Finishing Options | Basic finishing features. | Advanced finishing including stapling, booklet making and folding. |
Not sure which way to go? Many offices run a mix: an A3 device as the central hub plus compact A4 office printers at satellite desks.
Key features to look for
Beyond the four core functions, these features separate a good MFD from a great one:
- Intuitive touchscreen. A clear, customisable interface means less training and fewer mistakes.
- Scanning and workflow. Scan-to-email, scan-to-folder and cloud integration turn the device into a genuine digitisation tool, not just a copier.
- Security. User authentication, secure print release and data protection keep confidential documents safe, which matters in regulated industries.
- Finishing. Stapling, booklet-making and hole-punching save hours of manual work for high-volume teams.
- Reliability and support. The best device in the world is useless when it is down, so a strong onsite-support guarantee is as important as the spec sheet.
An MFD is only as good as the support behind it. A guaranteed onsite response, like our 2-hour promise, means a busy office hub never turns into a bottleneck.
Who needs a multifunction device?
Almost any business that prints, copies and scans regularly will benefit from an MFD. Small offices gain from consolidating several machines into one. Growing teams benefit from the speed, capacity and finishing of an A3 device. And organisations in legal, medical, education and government rely on the security, faxing and document workflows that a modern MFD provides. If your team is still running separate printers, scanners and copiers, an MFD will almost certainly simplify your setup and reduce your costs.
Buying or leasing an MFD
Because an MFD is a significant piece of equipment, many businesses choose to lease rather than buy, spreading the cost into a predictable monthly figure with consumables and support included. If that is on your radar, our guides on leasing versus buying and what leasing costs in Australia walk through the numbers.
As the exclusive Toshiba dealer for Adelaide and Perth, Copyworld supplies, installs and supports Toshiba e-STUDIO multifunction devices, sized to the way your office actually works and backed by our 2-hour onsite support promise.
Find the right multifunction device
Tell us how your team prints, copies and scans, and we will recommend and quote the right Toshiba MFD for your Adelaide or Perth office.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an MFD and an MFP?
None, in practice. MFD (multifunction device) and MFP (multifunction printer) are used interchangeably to describe a single machine that prints, copies, scans and faxes.
What functions does a multifunction device have?
The four core functions are printing, copying, scanning and faxing. Modern devices add touchscreens, secure print release, mobile printing, scan-to-cloud and finishing options like stapling.
Do I need an A3 or A4 multifunction device?
Choose A4 for smaller teams and standard documents, and A3 if you need larger paper sizes, higher volumes, faster speeds or more finishing options. Many offices use an A3 hub plus A4 printers at satellite desks.
Is it better to lease or buy an MFD?
Most businesses lease, because it spreads the cost into a predictable monthly figure with consumables and support included, and allows an upgrade at the end of the term. Buying can suit organisations with spare capital and very stable volumes.
Keep reading
- Printer leasing vs buying: what’s best for your office?
- How much does office printer leasing cost in Australia?
- Toshiba multifunction devices
- Printer & photocopier leasing in Adelaide & Perth
Published by Copyworld, the exclusive Toshiba multifunction device dealer for Adelaide and Perth.
