- Up to 21/21 ppm color/black print speed
- Up to 2400 x 600 dpi rich color output
- Automatic Duplex Printing
- Built-in Network Ethernet Interface
- Flexible 300-sheet paper input capacity
The most difficult aspect of the setup was getting it out of the box and onto the work table (it weighs almost 80 lbs.). After that, I had my first copy in less than 20 minutes. I went with USB connectivity, as I don''t have a need for any other type configuration. Every command can be entered from my PC, and the control panel is easy to use. I have a Brother 2170W for my everyday b&w printing... and there''s plenty of it. It''s very compact, and a real workhorse ... and for less than $, I didn''t see any reason to retire it. Between the two Brothers, I''ve got everything covered.
If there''s one issue, it''s the fact that MS Outlook must be open in order to scan/e-mail, something I do several times daily. It took three calls to Brother support to discover this, and the level 2 tech advised me that it''s a software issue, for which a patch will likely be forthcoming shortly. In the meantime, I''ve gotten used to it.Overall, this machine does everything it''s supposed to do, and performs flawlessly. Even at $ more than I paid, it''s a great value. Brother products have done well for me over the years, and this machine is no exception. If you''re looking for a color laser all-in-one, this one''s a winner!I would give this printer 4.5 stars if I had the option. After one day of ownership my only complaints are that the front door for manual feed is flimsy and the compressed software expanded to a random location in the OS: Windows/System32/mflpro/Setup9450CDN/Eng/setup.exe I also wish that the paper output closer to the front; I feel like I am pulling the paper out before it''s printed because it''s so deep into the machine. The printer is only loud when printing and it''s mostly a fan noise, the machine movement is quiet. The high-speed fan noise quickly lowers dB after the paper has finished printing.
I bought this printer because it has a small footprint and most importantly automatic duplex output from a color laser. The next model up offers duplex scanning, copying and faxing but I did not like how much larger the printer was. Ethernet setup was almost automatic after finding the setup file location shown above.
I was considering the HP Color LaserJet CM3530fs MFP, but for $3,000 MSRP the extra stapler and 50-sheet feeder was not much of a value. I also do not like how many multifunction laser printer are so high, I really like this compact design.
My previous printer experience was with Canon inkjet multi-function MP830 & MX850, both of which broke one month after their warranty. Dell 1815dn b&w multi-function laser which is garbage on so many levels. Xerox 6110MFP which had a transfer belt error and needs servicing, but most importantly only has manual duplex printing which is not ideal. This printer has made me the happiest of all so far. If anything goes crazy with this machine I''ll report back.
1-year update:
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I am still happy with this machine mostly because I discovered how to keep using the toner after the printer decides that it is finished.
My current page count is 2,743 Color & 3,519 B&W. I just replaced my B&W today because the black toner was leaking into the machine resulting in hazy gray prints, but clear text without any streaking or misprinting. I would guess that my printer told me that the Black was finished about 3,000 pages ago! This machine refuses to print when there is plenty of toner remaining, which is completely unacceptable. You have to cover the clear plastic windows of the toner cartridge to fool the sensor. Another trick is to open the main door and press clear and then you can reset the life of the toner; but this fix is only good for a few pages and has inconsistent results. I''ve also read stories of people turning back toner cartridge wheels but I did not need to attempt because I blocked the clear windows.
The network scan loses its connection to my PC sometimes, but the ControlCenter3 scanning application still works even when the printer cannot find my pc on the network.
The ADF on top is slightly rotating my documents, I''m not sure how to fix. The documents appear to be feeding correctly.
I can''t find a setting that makes accurate color copies. I''ve had to bump up the contrast which results in saturation, especially if you''re copying and copy.
The noises are still similar to when new. I replaced the B&W toner today because I hear some squeaking that stopped when using the new cartridge.
All types of paper have been successful with this machine!
My favorite is HP 113100
HP 11310-0 HP Premium Choice Laserjet Paper, White, 32-lb., 8-1/2" x 11", 500 Sheets/ream
I also added RAM to the machine because I received some memory errors that may have been related to faxes. The RAM upgrade was very easy; there is a door on the left-side of the machine that provides access to add the new module. The max capacity is 512MB.
Kingston KVR133X64SC3L/512 ValueRAM 512MB PC133 SODIMM Low Profile Module
Summary: The size and price are amazing for the features that you are receiving. Plan to modify your toner cartridges and you''ll experience a nice machine.I have been using this machine for about 4 months and I have to say, this is one expensive machine to maintain. First, the toner cartridges are supposed to have have a life span of 2,000 copies. No where close. The message pops up at about 1,000 copies telling you it''s time to replace the cartridges. One quick, shake and you get more life. Then about 100 copies later, the message comes up again. So, you breakdown and buy the color replacement $90.00 and then the chore of having to go in clean the corona wire of EACH cartridge, not just the one you are replacing. Then 100 copies later, the next toner color says it''s time to replace and the whole expensive process starts over. I do recommend that you buy the high yield black, just so you can get a decent life out of that cartridge.
The one thing that I didn''t realize when I bought this high maintenance machine is that you can not photocopy in a duplex mode. This machine does not have that capability. You have to scan in your documents to a designated program, like paperport, then print from the saved scanned file.
Overall, the print quality for brochures and fliers on presentation paper is quite good, but on the flip side, just too expensive when you actually break down the number of copies to the price of the toner and the time involved in replacing the cartridges.I purchased this to replace a Samsung CLP-510 that finally gave up the ghost. It has been up and running for a couple weeks now. I have more cons that pros...
1. The unit seems to be packaged well, and it''s certainly heavy, but there was a crease in the plastic front of the paper tray. It''s more a blemish to the overall appearance than to functionality, but it''s disappointing. I''m sure I could return this for a replacement, but repacking this beast would be way more trouble that it''s worth for such a minor issue.
2. I set the printer up using the Ethernet interface. Installation was relatively painless, but when strictly following the instructions the printer showed as ''Offline''. Brother''s support website has a fix for this that did not work. I could see the printer on the network, but I couldn''t print to it. Eventually, in the network view, I right-clicked on the printer and clicked ''Install''. This installed a second instance of the printer (called Copy 2), and the computers on the network were able to see and print to it. I deleted the initial instance and renamed the new instance to take off the ''Copy 2'' label, and all is well.
3. The specifications for this printer tell you not to use thick paper (nothing heavier than 28 lbs.), not to use glossy paper, and various other restrictions). They mean it. We tried to print some brochures on HP 44-lb. tri-fold brochure paper, and it doesn''t work worth a darn. I was prepared for the automatic duplexing to give me trouble, but I was not prepared for the printer to not accept the 44-lb. paper for single-sided printing through the main tray. Many papers jams later, we were able to make it work by feeding just a few sheets at a time through the manual feed. I can''t really say this is a flaw, as the specifications are clear, but don''t buy this expecting it to print to a wide variety of stock. It won''t.
4. The colors using default setting are pretty washed out. This can be addressed using the ''Vivid'' setting in the printer properties and with other adjustments.
5. The printer comes with standard-capacity toner cartridges (3K pages black, 2K pages color, I think). I know these specifications assume a 5% coverage, and that that''s how everybody seems to do it. I will say that we burned through all the color cartridges in about 500 pages when printing a color brochure. We used to do substantially better on the Samsung CLP-510, even though their cartridges were similarly rated. I have just installed high-capacity cartridges bought via amazon (the knockoffs, not OEM), and I''m very curious to see how long they last. At current usage rates, printing costs for toner alone approach $1.00 per sheet (two pages/sides per sheet).
6. The printer draws quite a bit of current whe warming up. If you have it on a heavily-loaded circuit you''re going to notice a voltage drop on the other appliances sharing that circuit.
7. Print quality is good. Text and graphics are clear and sharp.
8. It''s not nearly as noisy as I thought it would be.
9. Print speeds seem fine. I haven''t timed anything, but it goes fast enough for my needs. It doesn''t take multiple minutes for the first page to print out or anything like that.
So, all in all, it''s just OK. I do not think it is an especially good value for the money, but it''s certainly not a piece of junk. I would probably return it for a different model (maybe try a Samsung again) if it wouldn''t be such a nightmare to repackage and ship.
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