The OKI MB461 ($349 direct) is the next-generation version of the OKI MB460 ($400 street, 3 stars) multi-function printer (MFP) that I reviewed last year. Not surprisingly, it shares many of the same features, including a low running cost. Even better, it also fixes the one complaint I had about the MB461 by making it much easier to scan to a PC over a network. It doesn't include fax capability, but if you don't need faxing, the MB461 can be a more than attractive choice for relatively heavy-duty printing, scanning, and copying in a micro or small office?or even for unusually heavy-duty use in a home office.
As was true with the MB460, the MB461 is the low-end model in its series?the MB401 series in this case?and it's the only one without a fax capability. However, note that the next step up, to the Editors' Choice OKI MB471 ($399, 4 stars) that I also recently reviewed, isn't just a matter of adding a fax modem. The two printers also differ in other ways. The maximum resolutions, for example, are 600 by 2,400 dots per inch (dpi) for the MB461 versus 1,200 by 1,200 for the MB471, a difference that can affect both speed and output quality.
Basics
The MB461's basic MFP features include the ability to print from and scan to a PC, including over a network, as well as work as a standalone copier. In addition, it can print from and scan to a USB memory key, and it offers both a letter-size flatbed and a 50-page duplexing automatic document feeder that can scan up to legal-size pages.
The printer's paper handling counts as a strong point. The 250-sheet paper tray, 1-sheet manual feed, and built-in duplexer (for two-sided printing) should be enough for most micro and small offices. If you need more, however, you can also get an optional 530-sheet tray ($183.99 direct), for a maximum 780-sheet input capacity. Even better, because the ADF also duplexes (by turning the page over to scan the second side), you can copy both single- and double-sided originals to your choice of single- or double-sided copies.
Setup and Speed
As is the case with most mono MFPs, the MB461 is too big to share a desk with comfortably, at 17.9 by 16.8 by 16.7 inches (HWD). However, it's small enough to easily find room for in most micro or small offices. It's also easy to share on a network, thanks to its Ethernet port. For my tests, I connected it to a wired network and installed the driver on a Windows Vista system. Setup was absolutely typical for the breed.
The MB461's speed on our tests was a little on the slow side for its 35 page per minute (ppm) rating?which is the speed you should see when printing a text document with little to no formatting. On our business applications suite (using QualityLogic's hardware and software for timing), it came in at 10 ppm.
Surprisingly, that makes the MB461 slower than the MB460 was, at 12.9 ppm. It's also slower than the Editors Choice Canon imageClass MF4570dn ($299, 4 stars), at 12.3 ppm. As another point of reference, however, note that it's essentially tied with the much more expensive Samsung SCX-5639FR ($550 street, 3.5 stars) at 9.7 ppm. It's certainly not slow enough for the speed to be an issue.
Output Quality and Running Cost
The MB461's output quality is above par for text and par for graphics and photos. Text quality is one step above the tight range that includes the vast majority of mono MFPs, making it good enough for any business need short of high-quality desktop publishing. Graphics are easily good enough for any internal business need, including PowerPoint handouts in most situations, but a little short of what you might want when it's important for the output to convey a sense of your professionalism. Photos are easily good enough to print Web pages with recognizable photos, and even print photos for client newsletters or the like.
One last important strong point is the claimed low running cost, at 1.8 cents per page. That's low enough to save at least a penny per page compared to almost any other printer in this price range. Print 35,000 pages over the life of the printer and you'll save enough to cover the initial cost. That works out to less than 50 pages per business day for 3 years, or less than 30 pages per day for 5 years.
The low cost per page is probably the most compelling argument for picking the OKI MB461 over its competition. Beyond that, however, it offers everything it needs to serve as a workhorse MFP in a micro or small office, from excellent paper handling to conveniences like being able to scan to or print from a USB key. If it did a little better on speed, output quality, or both, it would be a strong candidate for Editors' Choice. Even as it is, though, if your small office can do without a fax capability in its MFP, the OKI MB461 should be on your short list.
More Multi-function Printer Reviews:
??? OKI MB461
??? OKI MB471
??? OKI MB491
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/mTYZBjo3KfA/0,2817,2407027,00.asp
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