Wire Your Office For Less Than $4K

Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax Machine

Depending on your needs, a good multifunction machine can be a smart buy for your home office. Sharp 's AJ-5030 ($299) combines the abilities of a printer, a scanner, a copier and a fax machine in one machine that prints and copies in color. Send a job to copy or print at 7 ppm in black and 3.5 ppm in color, and use the other functions while you wait; the fax function features 10 speed-dial buttons and 512KB of memory. Its scan function allows you to scan directly to e-mail.

If you just need a printer, check out Samsung 's NL-4500 ($199). This laser printer features print speeds of 8 ppm, with a resolution of 600 dpi and a toner-save button that adds life to your toner cartridges by printing at a lower resolution. And if you're interested in an inexpensive stand-alone scanner, the Visioneer Photoport 7700 USB model ($150) features built-in CompactFlash and SmartMedia readers, which will allow you to upload images to your Web site in a snap. With 600 x 1,200 resolution and 42-bit color, it's well-worth the $150 price tag.

Surge Protector

When plugging in all your new equipment, you don't want to have to think about it getting fried if there's a hiccup in the power lines. Tripp Lite 's Protect It! Series 8 TLP810NET surge protector ($39.95) features eight outlets (it accommodates up to three bulky transformers without blocking the others), so you'll be able to plug in your desktop and monitor as well as all your peripherals. Diagnostic lights will let you know if your surge protector needs to be replaced, and Tripp Lite offers a lifetime replacement warranty.

Paper Shredder

Want to protect confidential files you're disposing of? The Shredmaster 950 Series ($329) by GBC is a heavy-duty paper shredder with a slim design that belies its 9-gallon capacity. Its 9-inch throat accommodates just about any paper size. Its reverse function allows you to clear overloads, and an indicator light lets you know when the machine needs attention.