For those who think duplex printing capability is too much to ask for in a light duty multifunction center, think again, and take a look at the Canon Copier ImageClass MF4150. This unit performs well in all aspects expected of a home office to small business grade printer, and can also produce double sided prints, copies, and faxes just like the big boys.
Though lower grade printers usually offer some sort of software based double sided printing capacity, it involves a delicate procedure for printing a string of documents and then manually reloading for a second run through the hardware for backside printing. Technically, all printers have double sided printing capabilities, but with true duplexing such as is found in the Canon Copier ImageClass MF4150, the process is automated. This means it’s simple to cut down on reloads of your 250 sheet paper capacity tray, and also cut total paper usage theoretically in half with this MFC.
It’s hard to picture a crowning jewel on this excessively boxy unit, but duplexing certainly is it. That is not to say that its other functions are not up to par. The 35 page automatic document feeder is a great feature when a large stack of copies needs to be made or faxes need to be sent, and adds another element of automation to the unit. Speed is not an issue with the imageCLASS MF4150, as printed documents and copies churn out at a rapid 21 pages per minute, and fax speeds are excellent thanks to the 33.6 Kbps Super G3 modem.
As a scanner, the unit functions well, sporting an optical resolution of 600 X 1200 dots per inch and interpolated resolution at a maximum of 9600 X 9600 dots per inch. Color scanning is an option with a depth of 24 bits, though all other functions are restricted exclusively to monochrome. The large document glass allows scanning of either standard size or legal paper, along with non-standardized sized media, and don’t fear multiple trips back on forth from computer to scanner. Thanks to the “send to” features operatable through convenient dedicated buttons files in JPEG, PDF, TIFF, and BMP formats can be captured and sent directly to the computer.
Remote RX, Dual access, and double sided fax receiving are only a few of the features found in the machine’s hardware. With the help of the 32 MBs of standard on board memory there is a 256 total page memory capacity, and storage for up to 100 coded speed dials. 8 dedicated one touch buttons allow you to dial any of your top eight at the push of a single programmable button. PC faxing is also a welcome addition to the fax capabilities, allowing you to send faxes directly from your desktop without ever fiddling with a hard copy. Interestingly enough this feature is a send only option.
When automation in a print unit could truly assist in doing more of the work for you so you don’t have to, then a MFC such as the Canon Copier imageCLASS MF4150 is something to consider. If dealing in mostly single sheets, the extras may not be worth the price.
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