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The Kodak Hero 9.1 measures 44x39x21cm and apart from maybe adding a few centimetres to open the flatbed lid that is the full footprint of the unit. The paper input tray fits snug to the front of the unit and the dimensions include the duplex bubble at the rear.

You can set it up to run, USB, Ethernet or Wireless. One little niggle for me is that you insert the CD and then it downloads the majority of files from the Internet. You are not asked; one day I must try installing without a live Internet connection. This time I installed using Wireless and you have the option of entering the passcode or RDS (assuming your router has it).

See also: Multifunction printers

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Like the complete range it has two cartridges, black and colour. They are bigger than most so ink costs per page are cheaper as Kodak charge less than most other manufacturers for ink, you do however pay a little more for the hardware.

Installation on a Windows 7 machine was straightforward and as it has RDS connection via wireless to my router was just a case of pressing the button to connect it. I was slightly less successful with Windows XP as at the end of the install a Windows screen opens saying new hardware found and asking for the routers IP address. Although an icon is created in My Computer it does not work and the only way I can scan is via the Kodak software and selecting preview then scanning works correctly, if I just ask it to scan it does not work, I spoke with Kodak and they say it must be an installation error.

At the Multi Function end everything is operated via the 9.5x5.5cm touchscreen which itself is in the centre of a 25.5x7.5cm lift up from the base area that can raised 45% to give a good reading angle. Very clear and easy to use. There are eleven options with four displaying at any time it you want others just move to the right by touch.

The four leftmost items are the ones you are most likely to use frequently, Copy Document, Copy Photo, View and Print Photos and Scan.

Below the pull out overhang is the plain paper input tray at the base with a 15x10cm photo tray above it and both can contain paper at the same time, above this and just below the overhang is the paper output tray. To the right are a multi card and USB port. At the back right are DC power input, USB, Ethernet and Fax connections.

This unit has automatic duplex when required and the duplex unit does protrude beyond the main but as it does not run the whole width any cables are retained within the total footprint, so the figures given include the duplex.

Printing the normal nonsensical 200 word document came in at 20PPM while the more normal 1500 word offering spread over four pages a still very respectable 17PPM, both were printed in draft mode but were crisp and sharp.

Copying either from the flatbed or the page feeder took around 30seconds per page in colour and around 15 seconds in monochrome. You can of course enlarge and reduce as well as a lot of other nice options from the unit.

Scanning – as stated above – worked correctly from the Windows 7 machine so I have taken my timing from that and while it was possible from the XP machine not so convenient. Around 20 seconds for an A4 document. You can of course scan to document, image or other choices. Using the Kodak Home Centre software allows you to easily choose resolution and destination.

Doing my searches found the Kodak Hero 9.1 at a best price of £182.99 including delivery from link one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005J3ID5W?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

http://shop.kodak.co.uk/store/ekconseu/en_GB/pd/HERO_9.1_All-in-One_Printer/productID.235649100