Why the Canon imageCLASS MF287dw Changed My Small Business Printing Game

Last month, my trusty old printer finally gave up after years of loyal service. You know that moment—when you're rushing to print an important client proposal and your printer decides it's the perfect time to start making those death-rattle noises? Yeah, that was me at 11 PM on a Tuesday.

After a brief mourning period (and maybe a few choice words muttered under my breath), I dove into the world of printer shopping. Three days, countless reviews, and one caffeine-fueled research binge later, I landed on the Canon imageCLASS MF287dw. Four weeks in, I'm kicking myself for not upgrading sooner.

If you're running a small business or managing a busy home office like me, stick around. I'm breaking down everything about this workhorse of a printer—the good, the slightly annoying, and why it might be exactly what your workspace needs.

The Quick Rundown: What's the Canon imageCLASS MF287dw All About?

Before I get into my personal experience, let's cover the basics. The Canon imageCLASS MF287dw is a monochrome laser all-in-one printer designed for small to medium businesses and home offices. Here's what you're getting:

• Black and white laser printing (no color printing here, folks)

• Print speed of up to 30 pages per minute (and yes, it actually delivers on this promise)

• Print, scan, copy, and fax functionality (because apparently some clients still use fax in 2025!)

• Automatic two-sided printing (a serious paper and time saver)

• 50-sheet automatic document feeder (perfect for batch scanning)

• Wireless connectivity plus Ethernet and USB connections

• Mobile printing capabilities from your phone or tablet

• 250-sheet paper capacity expandable with optional trays

• Compact design that won't hog your desk space

Setting Up: Easier Than Assembling IKEA Furniture (Mostly)

Remember that bookshelf you bought that came with instructions that might as well have been written in hieroglyphics? Setting up the MF287dw is nothing like that—mostly.

When the printer arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the physical setup was. The unit comes well-packaged, and Canon includes a quick-start guide that's actually... wait for it... helpful! I had the hardware unpacked and ready in about 15 minutes.

The software installation is where things got a tiny bit tricky. The included CD (yes, a CD in 2025—I had to dust off an external drive) contains all the necessary drivers, but I found it faster to just download the latest versions from Canon's website.

Pro tip: Skip the CD entirely and go straight to Canon's support page. The setup wizard will walk you through connecting to your Wi-Fi network, which took me about 10 minutes including a coffee break.

Print Quality: Crisp Text That Won't Make Your Clients Squint

Let's talk about what really matters—print quality. As someone who regularly sends out proposals, contracts, and marketing materials, I need prints that look professional without breaking the bank.

The MF287dw produces remarkably crisp text documents. Even the fine print on legal contracts comes out sharp and legible. At 600 x 600 dpi, it's not the highest resolution on the market, but for everyday business documents, it's more than sufficient.

Where this printer really shines is consistency. Every page looks identical to the last, with no fading or streaking. I've run about 500 pages through it so far, and the quality hasn't wavered.

One thing to note—this is a monochrome printer, so if you're looking to print color marketing materials or photos, you'll need to look elsewhere. For my business, 90% of my printing is black and white anyway, so this wasn't a dealbreaker.

Speed and Efficiency: Because Time Is Literally Money

Before getting the MF287dw, I had a color inkjet printer that took its sweet time warming up and thinking about life before printing each page. The difference in speed with this laser printer is night and day.

Canon claims 30 pages per minute, and my unscientific testing (me standing there with my phone timer) confirms it's pretty darn close. From standby mode, the first page comes out in about 6 seconds, which is impressive.

The automatic document feeder (ADF) is a huge time-saver for scanning multi-page documents. I recently had to digitize a 40-page contract, and the ADF handled it flawlessly in under two minutes. Compare that to the soul-crushing experience of placing each page on a flatbed scanner, and you'll understand my enthusiasm.

Another efficiency booster is the automatic duplexing (two-sided printing). It works seamlessly and doesn't significantly slow down the printing process. My paper costs have noticeably decreased since I've started setting double-sided printing as my default.

Connectivity: Playing Nice With All Your Devices

Remember the days of shuffling USB drives between computers just to print something? The MF287dw's connectivity options make those days a distant memory.

The printer connects to your network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, allowing everyone in your office to access it without playing musical chairs. The wireless setup was painless, and the connection has been stable—no mysterious disappearing printer syndrome that plagued my previous models.

The mobile printing capabilities deserve special mention. Using Canon's PRINT Business app, I can send documents directly from my phone or tablet. This has been a lifesaver when clients make last-minute changes and I need to print updated documents while away from my desk.

The printer also supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service for Android, so you're covered regardless of which ecosystem you live in.

Running Costs: The Truth About Toner and Your Bank Account

Let's talk money—specifically, how much this printer will cost you over time. The upfront cost of the MF287dw (around $349 when I purchased it) places it in the mid-range for small business printers.

The real consideration with any laser printer is toner cost. The MF287dw comes with a starter cartridge rated for approximately 1,000 pages. Replacement high-yield cartridges (Canon 051H) print about 4,100 pages and cost around $115.

Doing the math, that works out to roughly 2.8 cents per page—significantly cheaper than inkjet printers that can cost 5-10 cents per page for black and white prints.

My actual experience: I'm averaging about 250 prints per week in my small consulting business, which means a high-yield cartridge should last me around 16 weeks. That's roughly $30 per month in toner costs—completely reasonable for the volume I'm printing.

There's also no wasteful color ink to worry about, no print heads to clean, and far fewer maintenance issues than with inkjet printers. For a busy office environment, this reliability and predictable cost structure is invaluable.

The Not-So-Great: A Few Honest Gripes

No product is perfect, and the MF287dw does have a few quirks worth mentioning:

1. The display panel is functional but feels dated compared to the touchscreens on newer printer models. Navigating menus using the physical buttons can be a bit clunky.

2. It's not the quietest printer in the world. While not deafening, it makes its presence known when printing multiple pages. If your office space is particularly small or quiet, this might be worth considering.

3. The paper tray capacity (250 sheets) is adequate for most small businesses, but if you regularly print high volumes, you might find yourself refilling more often than you'd like.

4. The scanning software, while functional, isn't as intuitive as it could be. It took me some time to figure out how to customize scan settings for different document types.

Who Should Buy This Printer? (And Who Shouldn't)

After a month of daily use, I have a pretty good idea of who would love this printer and who might be better off looking elsewhere.

This printer is perfect for you if:

• You primarily print text documents and forms

• You need a reliable multifunction device for a small office

• Print speed and efficiency matter to your workflow

• You're tired of replacing inkjet cartridges constantly

• You need reliable scanning and copying capabilities

• Your monthly print volume is between 500-2,500 pages

Look elsewhere if:

• You need to print in color regularly

• Your printing needs are very occasional (laser printers work best with regular use)

• You primarily print photos or graphics-heavy documents

• You're extremely sensitive to printer noise

• You need advanced finishing options like stapling or hole punching

The Verdict: A Smart Investment for Busy Professionals

One month in, the Canon imageCLASS MF287dw has earned its spot in my office. It's not flashy or exciting—but that's not what I need from a printer. I need reliability, speed, and cost-effectiveness, and this machine delivers on all three fronts.

For small business owners, consultants, or anyone running a busy home office, this printer represents a smart investment. The upfront cost is reasonable, the running costs are predictable and economical, and the time you'll save with faster printing and scanning adds up quickly.

Have you made the switch from inkjet to laser? Or do you have questions about the MF287dw that I haven't covered? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear about your experiences or help you decide if this printer is right for you!