In an earlier review, we analysed the good and the bad of OKI MB451DNW. Our findings were very much on the positive and we ended up recommending that multifunction printer, despite the fact that it was one of the less advanced models in the MB400 series. Now, since we’re about to review the next model in the OKI MB400 series, you can expect this review to be largely positive as well. The OKI MB472DNW is a good bet for most businesses in the range of micro to medium scales because it is an upgrade on the OKI MB451DNW.
In fact, like the simpler model, the OKI MB472DNW is an excellent option. It boasts of an excellent feature set which includes high volume printing. It is a monochrome LED multifunction printer that is capable of high volume printing. While the device uses LEDs in place of a laser, it still must be classified in the laser category because the technology is the same. That may not be enough for you if you’re considering buying this MFP. So, here’s our OKI MB472DNW review.
Strengths of OKI MB472DNW
The strengths section of this OKI MB472DNW is going to be the most populated. Let’s start with the most basic aspect. The OKI MB472DNW is a multifunction printer, which means that it can print, copy, scan, and copy. However, these primary functions actually lead to secondary functions that actually set this device ahead of others. For example, this device won’t only allow you to print from your PC but also fax directly from it and even send an email directly from it. Moreover, it will also make it possible to print from and scan to a USB drive.
While the OKI MB472DNW performs well with respect to functionality, it does even better from the perspective of economy. This multifunction printer has an incredibly low running cost. With a cartridge manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) i.e. OKI, you’ll be able to get a single print out for about 1.97 cents. While that is very low, you can take it one step further by using generic cartridges.
A generic cartridge will give you a per-page cost of 1.87 cents. You can boost this economy even further by using the automatic duplexing feature of this printer. With sheets being printed on both sides, you can actually reduce your paper cost by 50 percent.
This economy is important because this machine is meant for high volume printing and if you print a lot, then the costs can add up very quickly. This device’s paper handling reflects its high volume printing personality. In its standard avatar, this device can handle a total of 350 sheets which can be divided between a 250-sheet drawer and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray. However, the options are endless in terms of paper handling.
Add-on paper handling options include one paper tray worth 530 sheets and another worth massive 2,400 sheets. This also happens to be a major difference between the OKI MB472DNW and the OKI MB451DNW since the latter has no add-on options. Both, though, have a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). The monthly duty cycle of this device also reflects the OEM’s intention at 80,000 pages per month.
All this high volume printing doesn’t come at the cost of quality, though. The output quality of the OKI MB472DNW is excellent if you compare it to its competitors. While text quality matches the benchmarks in the industry, the graphics and photo print quality are near the top end of the accepted spectrum of quality. This means that if your requirements are basic and generic, then you shouldn’t have any trouble with the OKI MB472DNW’s output quality.
Weaknesses of OKI MB472DNW
Like we mentioned earlier, there isn’t a lot wrong with the OKI MB472DNW. Some could say that this printer doesn’t support any special type of printing. For example, if you need to print fine text a lot, then this printer may not be very good for you. However, these types of complaints will fall firmly in the category of nit-picking. Moreover, if that fine print complaint is relevant, then you might as well complain that this is only a monochrome printer.
One trait that can marginally fall in the weakness category is this printer’s print speed. The OKI MB472DNW is rated at 33 pages per minute (ppm), which can be said to be slightly lesser than the average of this product segment. Having said that, though, we’d also like to specify that the printer we reviewed earlier in this series, the OKI MB451DNW is only rated to print at 29 ppm.
A big flaw of this printer is that it doesn’t support Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi Direct is a feature that increasingly becoming common in printing devices these days. It allows a device to connect directly to the printer over the Wi-Fi without using the internet connection. The OKI MB472DNW, unfortunately, only offers wireless connectivity.
The saving grace is that if you use that wireless connectivity to connect this device to the internet, you’ll be able to use mobile printing. Apart from wireless connectivity, you can also connect this device to the internet through USB 2.0 and Ethernet.
Finally, you can say that this device is slightly on the bulkier side. It measures about 455mm high, 425mm deep and 427mm wide. In addition to this, moving this device around could be an issue and require more than one person since it weighs 20 Kg. This could be a problem for many potential users, especially if they were looking for a desktop multifunction printer.
Key Features of OKI MB472DNW
All in all, most features of the OKI MB472DNW are aimed at its core function of printing large volumes economically and with minimal hassle for their owners. However, there are some parameters that need to be specified as well.
The great output quality of the OKI MB472DNW, mentioned above, is achieved because the device is rated to print at a maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi). Scanning resolution at 600 x 600 dpi is lower, though. However, this is pretty usual.
The device’s standard version comes with a memory of 512MB which is higher than the OKI MB451DNW we reviewed earlier. The OKI MB451DNW only has 256MB. The first print time of the OKI MB472DNW is quite impressive at five seconds too.
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