Canon ImageClass MF4270 – Admirable Basic Printer

Pros

The Canon ImageClass MF4270 in a reasonably priced printer with duplexer and ADF. Apart from this the printer also is network-ready, offers superb quality scan/print, decent speed for scan and copy and has capability of receiving fax in secure memory.

Cons

The Canon ImageClass MF4270’s fax and scan features are limited.

Introduction

The Canon ImageClass MF4270 is a reasonably priced basic mono multifunction printer targeting the consumers looking for a printer for their home or small offices. Priced at $299 the ImageClass MF4270 comes loaded with all essential office-friendly features like networking, duplexer and automatic document feeder. Though, like the sleeker Samsung SCX-4500, it also lacks number of advanced features such as onboard scanning and fax forwarding.

But then these features generally are found in comparatively expensive multifunction printers like the Dell 1815dn and Lexmark X342n. So if your sole need in a multifunction printer with basic printing, scanning, and faxing needs then considering reasonably priced Canon ImageClass MF4270, is a decent choice. The printer offers consistent good quality prints and quick task speeds.

Design

Measuring 15.4 inches wide, 17.9 inches tall and 17.4 inches deep, the Canon ImageClass MF4270 is comparatively compact for a multifunction laser printer. The Canon ImageClass MF4270 weighs around 27.6 pounds. Mounted on the top of printers scanner lid is an automatic document feeder which easily can hold around 35 pages for batch scans, faxes and copies. The flatbed scanner of the printer can accommodate papers only of A4 size, but with the help of ADF, you can still scan, fax the legal-size documents and copy.

The control panel of the printer is a bit crowded, but not confusing and everything can be located pretty clearly. The centerpiece of the control is a two-line text LCD, but is not backlit and hence reading that in dark light can easily be a problem. Positioned above the LCD are three buttons for scan, fax and copy, which will let you pick your task. Underneath that is an OK button for the navigation of menus and two directional keys. Rather than menu settings button, the Canon MF4270 comes with an additional Functions Button which lets you nip different tasks.

For fast dialing of fax numbers, there is the alphanumeric keypad and one-touch dial keys. The fax area for the printer also has the buttons for frequently accessed functions like coded dial, hook, redial the fax number and address book. The same is the case with the copy area and has selected keys for reducing or enlarging the copies, altering the image quality and density, and for making collective copies, 2-on-1 copies and two-sided copies.

The feature set for Canon ImageClass MF4270 is pretty straight and standard for office oriented multi-function printers. The ImageClass MF4270 has Ethernet port on its rear end and hence is ready for any home or office network for printing through several PCs. The Auto Document Feeder of the printer is immensely helpful for copying, faxing and scanning. And with the auto-duplexer onboard getting double-sided prints and copies certainly is not a big task. Overall in terms of build and design, and features the ImageClass MF4270 is a pretty decent printer.

System Configuration

Starting price: $795.00
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Part Number: 2235B001
Printer Type: Laser – Monochrome
Operating System: Microsoft Windows ME , Microsoft Windows 98 , Microsoft Windows 2000 , Microsoft Windows XP , Microsoft Windows Server 2003 , Microsoft Windows Vista and Apple Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later
Copier Type: Digital

Dimensions (W x D x H): 15.4 x 17.4 x 17.9 inches
System weight: 27.6 lbs
Features: Answering machine interface, Dual-line fax capability and Distinctive Ring Pattern Detection (DRPD)
PC Connection: Hi-Speed USB
Software Included: Presto! PageManager, Drivers & utilities and ScanSoft OmniPage SE
Included Accessories: Power cable, Rating label, Destination label, Telephone line cable, Cartridge 104 starter, Document tray, Paper feed tray unit and Dust cover

Performance

The Canon ImageClass MF4270’s performance in comparison to other mono laser multifunction priced at $300 to $400 is pretty impressive. The Canon ImageClass MF4270 delivered an imposing speed of 15.13 pages per minute for text printing, and 17.14 pages per minute for black graphics.  The excelled many printers from the same price bracket, but came short to Dell 1815dn and Lexmark X342n.

Just as the print speed the print quality of MF4270 was also admirable and the printer performed evenly in most of the text competitions it was subjected to, but definitely was not stellar. Though if you go in deep then the prints were not as sharp as you would have wanted them, but then from a basic home and office printer’s point of view there was nothing serious.

Support

The Canon ImageClass MF4270 comes with standard warranty of one-year, though you can extend your warranty by paying for it. The technical support can also be assessed through toll-free telephonic support from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. The support can also be accessed online through the Web form. There also is firmware updates, driver/software downloads, FAQs and a knowledgebase available at support page of Canon’s website.

Word from the Experts

The Canon ImageClass MF4270 is the ideal printer option for everyone who has quintessential basic printing, fax and scan requirement, whether for office or for home.