The inception of the electronic revolution, which gave birth to computers, fax machines, copiers, and a continuously evolving line of faster, better, smaller and cheaper office technology has made it possible for almost every family to start a business from home.

Among other things, this has allowed individuals the convenience of having both work and family, and even socials, consolidated in one place. A disadvantage though, is one's tendency to lose privacy while working. It could be quite difficult for family to realize you're working when you're at home, and the kids' playroom encroaching into your office isn't a remote possibility. Given the limited space, defining the "zones" and designating the areas at home to organize one's workspace can be challenging, too.

With the home office user in mind, come the "MFP" or multi-function printer. Also called "AIO's" or all-in-one, these nifty gadgets are essentially a (laser or inkjet) printer, a copier, a scanner, and a fax machine, fused together in one compact unit. They are as multi-talented as the multi-tasking work-from-home users they were intended for, and are perfect for maximizing much-needed workspace as well as money.

A multi-function printer I would recommend is the Brother MFC-7840W, a monochrome laser all-in-one printer, scanner, fax, and copier, with a quick warm up time of less than 30 seconds. The "W" in its name stands for "wireless", a feature which makes this excellent all-in-one even more special. This machine is a power-packed small wonder that can be had for about $300.

This AIO printer (works with the TN-330 and TN-360 toners) was designed with the home office user in mind, and its features are guaranteed to keep them happy. Its automatic document feeder comes with security features that allow a password to be set, making them virtually childproof. The setup for this printer's wireless function takes very little effort, what with the networking built in. The user has to do little more than type in the security code (WEP key) of the home network, as the printer is smart enough to do the rest on its own. That's definitely a plus for home office users who do not enjoy the luxury of a dedicated IT department. Another come-on is that since this printer has wireless features, it doesn't need to be wired to a computer and can be setup across the room or anywhere wireless signals will allow.

I cannot think of anything negative to say about this printer, except perhaps that like other laser printers, replacing the toner will be expensive. A consolation would be to note that laser printers require less frequent cartridge replacement than inkjets as toners last longer. Then there are toner-saver settings that can be found on this printer. Above all, toner cost problems can be easily licked by using the budget-friendly remanufactured toner cartridges in place of pricey OEMs.

The Brother TN-330 and TN-360 compatible laser toner cartridges work with the Brother MFC-7840W. The TN-330 has a standard yield of 1,500 pages at 5% coverage. The Brother TN360 prints a high yield of up to 2,600 pages at 5% coverage. Encased in a hard plastic shell, the TN-360 is easy to install and will slide perfectly into your printer. It is also compatible with the Brother MFC-7440N, Brother MFC-7320, Brother HL-2170W, Brother HL-2150N, Brother HL-2140, and Brother DCP-7030 machines.

This replacement toner cartridge can be easily availed of at various online stores , selling remanufactured and compatible replacement ink cartridges for all the leading brands like HP, Brother, Lexmark, Epson, Canon, Xerox, and Dell.