The scan feature on the MF4270 is limited to use over a USB connection, which is an unfortunate choice on Canon's part for an office-oriented machine. In order to scan, you'll have to start the MF Toolbox software that was installed when you installed the drivers. Here's you can choose the scan target: attach to e-mail, scan using optical character recognition, save to file, save as PDF, or scan to program. Once you've chosen the target, you can press the Start button on the printer, or click the Start button on the MF Toolbox screen. If you've chosen "save to PC," you can choose the target folder and the file type (JPEG, TIFF, or bitmap). Although you can scan to applications, Canon doesn't predesignate any, so you can choose yourself. The $400 Canon ImageClass MF4690 works the same way, but also offers you the ability to scan to an attached USB flash device (the printer has an onboard USB port).
The fax options are also very basic. You can program as many as eight numbers (or groups) to the one-touch dial buttons on the control panel. You can also store an additional 100 numbers or groups as coded speed dials, which you can access using the two-digit code or via the address book. Groups can include as many as 50 numbers. When sending a fax, the only advanced option is a broadcast fax (up to 124 numbers). Receiving a fax is basic, too. The only advanced options include the ability to block a fax from a sender who does not broadcast his/her fax number, as well as the ability to receive the fax into memory instead of automatically printing it. Low toner and lack of paper will trigger the memory receive mode, but you can manually turn it on and protect the contents of the memory with a passcode. Finally, you can send PC faxes too, provided you've installed the software that comes with the MF4270.
Performance
Compared to other mono laser multifunctions in the $300 to $400 price range, the Canon ImageClass MF4270 performed admirably. It produced text at a rate of 15.13 pages per minute (ppm), slower than both the $400 Lexmark X342n and the Dell 1815dn, but beating out several others, including the more expensive Canon MF4690. Its performance with black graphics was similar: 17.14ppm, again behind the Lexmark and Dell. It was the fastest of the group with scans and copies, though. It scored 5.84ppm with color scans (a full page faster than the next printer), a blazing 12.19ppm with grayscale scans, and 15.50ppm with copies using the ADF, just edging out its big brother.
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The MF4270's task quality was decent across the board, performing more evenly than some of its competition, but it wasn't stellar. The black prints were nicely dark and consistent, but we noticed jagged edges where we expect to see clean, sharp lines. The grayscale graphics print showed a lot of cross-hatching and the photo elements can afford to be sharper. The grayscale scan revealed a good amount of compression in the dark end of the grayscale, making the scan a bit murky, but we liked the sharp details and the great pattern reproduction. The color scan was the best of the lot, with great color reproduction and sharp details. Although it wasn't the best at anything (except for color scanning), we liked its consistently good performance.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Service and support
Canon backs the ImageClass MF4270 with a standard one-year warranty, though you can pay to extend the warranty. Toll-free phone support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. You also can fill out a Web form to send an e-mail to a support technician if your question isn't pressing. Canon's site provides driver/software downloads, firmware updates, a knowledgebase, and FAQs, though the support page for this particular product was blank at the time of this writing.
What You'll Pay
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