Canon imageCLASS MF451dw review

Single-pass capture without the family’s telephone fax

The Canon imageCLASS MF451dw, U.S. item 5161C013, is a monochrome laser model for printing, copying and color scanning. Its useful combination is a single-pass duplex feeder, automatic two-sided output and native PIN-held printing. It suits a supported document workflow that needs to digitize both faces of a stack without manually turning the originals.

The exact model does not include telephone fax. Both the actual function matrix and the U.S. brochure distinguish MF451dw from the fax-equipped family member. A shared Send destination line naming Super G3 does not override that explicit model boundary.

Use Legal originals in the feeder

The feeder reaches 8.5 by 14 inches and takes 50 Letter originals at 80 gsm. The brochure positively identifies its mechanism as single-pass duplex: both faces can be captured without the operator turning over the stack. This is separately documented from the printer’s automatic output duplex.

The glass reaches 8.5 by 11¾ inches, covering Letter and A4. It is suitable for supported books, thick material and fragile originals that should not feed, but it is not a Legal-size glass. Place a glass original face down at the top-left corner and lower the feeder gently.

For a feeder batch, fan and align the pages, load them face up and bring the guides against the edges. Stay below the load line, remove clips and staples, and avoid mixing unsuitable original sizes. Do not add or remove pages while capture is underway.

Prepare the native computer capture arrangement

USB, Gigabit Ethernet and infrastructure Wi-Fi are documented connections. Install the exact supported scanner and printer software. Windows network capture requires registration in MF Network Scanner Selector, using IPv4; the actual preparation chapter excludes IPv6 scanning. USB instead requires the software and an awake machine.

MF Scan Utility can save a file, send the capture to another application or prepare an attachment. ScanGear MF provides advanced capture controls from a suitable application. Select the actual original source, size, sides and file settings for the task. Mac users should follow the relevant driver and utility guides rather than assume every Windows control is identical.

Direct e-mail and network-folder destinations are also documented, but need their server and destination preparation. A registered computer utility preset is a different route from the device sending directly to a mail or file server.

Secure Print waits for a matching panel PIN

Choose Secured Print in the native driver’s Output Method, set the job and send it. The data waits in printer memory. At the panel, select Secure Print, choose the job, select Start and enter its matching PIN.

Close Remote Scanner mode before attempting release. Uncollected jobs occupy memory and disappear after the configured deletion period. The system is useful for collecting sensitive output in person, but it is not permanent document storage or a replacement for all office access controls.

350 included Letter sheets, with an optional expansion

The standard configuration has a 250-sheet cassette and 100-sheet multipurpose tray, totaling 350 Letter sheets at 20 lb Bond. The optional 550-sheet AH1 raises maximum supply to 900; it is excluded from the included capacity.

The actual native paper table permits Letter, Legal and A4 automatic duplex on eligible media. Envelopes and labels have different paths and do not use that automatic duplex routine. Match the driver’s size and medium settings to the loaded stock.

AirPrint, Mopria and Canon PRINT Business are listed mobile options, with direct wireless access available. Those names do not transfer every native PIN, scanner or precise duplex-size control into an arbitrary mobile application.

Read the exact speed and supply declarations

MF451dw’s exact U.S. print rating is up to 34 one-sided Letter ppm. The brochure’s front-page split confirms 34 for MF451dw, while a shared specification row says 40. This review follows the specific model declaration. Scanner figures in images per minute are separate and depend on resolution and color.

The box includes Cartridge 057, rated up to 3,100 pages. Optional 057 H is rated up to 10,000. The read brochure does not give an ISO basis, so one is not added. Canon recommends 750–4,000 pages monthly.

The actual operating body measures 17⅞ by 18¼ by 15½ inches. The brochure and guide disagree about whether their 35.7 lb figure includes toner, so loaded weight remains unestablished here. Allow additional space for the open feeder, extended paper and servicing.