OKI MB451w

Despite its model number, the OKI MB451w is not part of the OKI MB401 series that includes the Editors' Choice OKI MB471 . According to OKI Data, it's a replacement for the MB200 series, and is aimed at a different audience, at the low end of the small office spectrum. In truth, though, it's so similar to the MB401 series in general, and the OKI MB471 in particular, that it's better described not as being meant for smaller offices, but as an alternative for micro and small offices with notably light-duty print needs.

The key difference between the MB451w and the OKI MB401 series is running cost. The claimed cost per page for the MB401 series printers ranges from 1.6 to 1.8 cents per page, depending on the printer. The cost per page for the MB451w is 3.2 cents, or a minimum of 1.4 cents more per page. That works out to $1.40 for every 100 pages, $14 for every 1,000 pages, and $140 for every 10,000 pages.

At that rate it doesn't take many pages to make up the difference in initial price between the MB451w and any of the OKI MB401 series printers. And given that the MB451w doesn't offer any advantage over its cousins other than its low price, that leaves little reason to choose it if you print much. If you don't print very much, however, the MB451w can give you lots of MFP features for a relatively low price.

Basics
The MB451w can print and fax from, as well as scan to a PC, including over a network, it can work as a standalone copier and fax machine, and it can print from and scan to a USB memory key. As is typical for office MFPs, it supplements a letter-size flatbed with an automatic document feeder (ADF) that can handle legal-size pages. The ADF in this case offers the same 50-page capacity as the MB471 and the same ability to duplex, turning each page over after scanning the first side to scan the second side as well.

Paper handling for printing is a bit of a mixed bag. The 250-sheet paper tray, 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, and a duplexer (for two-sided printing) is actually a match for the MB471. The 350 sheets should be more than enough for light to medium-duty printing in a small office. However, unlike the MB471, the MB451w doesn't offer any paper tray options to boost the input capacity if you need to.

One other feature that demands mention is that because the ADF and printer both duplex, you can scan and fax both single and double-sided originals, as well as copy both single and double-sided originals to your choice of single or double-sided copies.

Setup and Speed
Not too surprisingly, given the similarities in paper handling for printing and scanning, the MB451w is the same size as the MB471. At 17.9 by 16.8 by 16.7 inches (HWD), it's bigger than you'd probably want sitting on your desk, but still small enough to find room for in most small offices.

Connection choices include both Ethernet and Wi-Fi for connection to a network, but no Wi-Fi Direct for easy connection to a mobile device. For my tests, I connected the printer to a wired network and ran my tests from a Windows Vista system.

OKI Data rates the MB451w at 30 pages per minute (ppm), which is a lower rating than it gives the MB471. On our business applications suite, however, (using QualityLogic's hardware and software for timing) I clocked it at 10 ppm, which makes the two printers essentially tied. This counts as reasonably fast, but not impressive. The similarly priced Editors' Choice Canon imageClass MF4570dn did significantly better, at 12.3 ppm.

Output Quality
Output quality for the MB451w is par across the board. Text quality falls that the bottom of a fairly tight range that includes the vast majority of mono laser MFPs. It's not good enough for high-quality desktop publishing, but it's easily good enough for any typical business need otherwise.

Graphics output is similarly good enough for any internal business need, with the possible exception of PowerPoint handouts or the like. Depending on how critical an eye you have, and how good an impression you're trying to make, you may or may not consider it good enough to hand out to an important client or customer. Photo quality is more than good enough to print photos in, say, client newsletters or print Web pages with recognizable photos.

Assuming the OKI MB451w's speed and paper capacity is suitable for your needs, it certainly offers enough capability otherwise. The key issue to consider, however, is whether you'll print little enough to make it worth saving a few dollars on the initial cost. If not, you can save money in the long run with, for example, the OKI MB471, thanks to its lower cost per page. If you don't print (or copy) much, however, and you need the ability to scan and fax duplex documents, the OKI MB451w can be a more than reasonable choice.

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