- Print and copy up to 27ppm
- Built-in wireless and Ethernet network interfaces
- Automatic duplex for producing two-sided output
- 35-page capacity auto document feeder
- Adjustable, 250-sheet capacity paper tray, plus manual feed slot
I have a network with both Windows (XP and 7) and Mac (10.5.8) machines on it, and was in need of a new printer. I was looking to replace a trusty IBM InfoPrint 12 which had been in use on the network (via a router with print server) for over 10 years (and only two toner cartridges). I even debated about fixing the InfoPrint, but I was not sure what it would take, and I needed a solution now. At first I was only thinking about a stand-alone laser printer, both in terms of cost and function, but then decided to look into multi-function machines as I also have an ink jet multi-function (usable only by my work machine) that I did not mind removing.
These are the criteria that I had in mind while selecting a product:
* laser print: for crispness and consumables (my ink jet seemed to drink ink, or it dried up)
* duplex: one of the items I did not like about the InfoPrint 12 is the lack of duplex
* compatibility across several OS platforms
* ability to scan via the LAN and not requiring direct USB
I was not concerned about the size of the unit, as it was going to have its own table (though it is quite compact). I was also not concerned about the fax functionality of the machine. While it is nice to have if needed, I had only used my old multi-function to fax once.
Taking these into account, I could not find anything that met them as well as the Brother MFC-7860DW. There are some higher caliber machines, but these were designed for more active use and their price reflected that. Some may think the MFC-7860DW is pricey, but there are others which are much more so. Since the MFC-7860DW are very new, I had some questions and wanted to see one in action, but I was not able to find any in stores. My main question was the software compatibility across OS platforms. A sister product from Brother (the HL-2270DW) had excellent reviews in terms of platform support, but I''ve been burned before on assumption, so I e-mailed Brother''s pre-sales support. They confirmed that full functionality was supported for both Mac and Windows. It was time to purchase! I checked a few prices on-line and chose Amazon. Sure they were a few dollars more than the lowest but I like their delivery speed, customer support, and return policy (if needed). I also did not want to create (yet) another account for a single purchase.
The package arrived with some dents and tears in it (thanks UPS) but the printer was within a styrofoam shell and was unharmed. Unpack was a breeze, and the first function to test was copying -looked great! Next I hooked it to an open port on my router and started software install. My Windows XP machine had some trouble with the PaperPort software. I did not have need to scan from that machine, so I just installed the printer driver and moved on. Full install on the Windows 7 machine went well. The full install on my Mac was even easier. The newness of the product insured I had the most recent versions of the software too.
Now that I have it installed, functional, and run bunch of paper through it I am glad I chose this one. Not only did it meet my main criteria as previously listed, I''ve come to appreciate these items too:
* a 250 page paper drawer (I do not like how other printers leave the paper exposed to collect dust)
* toner saver mode
* wired, or wireless, network capability (I chose wired due to the next item)
* super sleep mode (only available if on wired network)
* the separate toner and drum design (I think that it is good as they have different service lengths)
So, no negatives you think? If I had to choose one it would be the noise level. It is noisier than the InfoPrint 12 was, but I can live with it given the other benefits of the machine.
Buy Brother Printer MFC7860DW Wireless Monochrome Printer Now
I purchased this from OfficeMax not on Amazon.com. In doing so, I spent months doing research trying to replace a really old Brother MFC-420CN which I loved. I wanted a Brother machine as they are durable, reliable and don''t wear as much as other machines (Always owned a Brother fax) Having said that, this machine was a dream come true, it''s inexpensive, small footprint and decent workhorse. Unfortunately the CONS outweigh the PROS.
PROS:
Fast printing
Attractive design
Small footprint for duplexer
Fast faxing
CONS:
Very noisy while printing
Flimsy ADF feels as though it will come off
Duplexer sounds like it''s in pain (noisy and very slow)
Starter toner cartridge gives you 200 pages @ 5% coverage
Here is a quirk:
If you have this in WIRELESS mode, that is the unit is NOT connected to the router via Ethernet cable, the machine *always* runs, even in sleep mode. The fan will stay on and its noisy. The lights (deep blue) will always be on.
If you have this in WIRED mode, that is the unit IS connected to the router or USB, the machine will enter "Deep Sleep" and looks like its actually off. No noise, nothing. (Lights are off)
This quirk is hard to find in the manual but there it is. Consider the noise level which I ignored when buying this and now regret.
Read Best Reviews of Brother Printer MFC7860DW Wireless Monochrome Printer Here
Having never written a review for Amazon, I feel compelled to pen one.
I just installed my Brother MFC-7860DW printer this morning and couldn''t be happier. I''m replacing a Dell 1600N Multi Function Printer. While I generally liked the Dell printer over the years, it didn''t play well with Mac.
To give you an idea how this was set up, let me describe it briefly. The Brother was installed in my home network via an Ethernet cable to my Apple Time Machine. My iMac is hard wired to the Time Machine and I also have a MacBook that lives a wireless life. The installation instructions that came with the printer were quite clear and I followed directions for a "Wired Network for Macintosh". The installation and setup to my iMac took less than 2 minutes and worked right away. I then installed the software in my MacBook and also selected Wired Network. It also went quickly and worked right away. I use Ooma VOIP for phone service and the registration FAX was sent successfully however I have not yet received a FAX. I should mention that I''m just a regular guy and not a computer guru in any way shape or form. I just read the manual and followed directions.
I should mention that I''ve only had this printer powered up for a couple hours and my first impressions are very positive. I''ve printed one sided and duplex jobs with zero complaints. I''ve scanned to my iMac, perfect. I made a single test copy and it was about 90% on the quality scale (I haven''t messed with any sort of copy settings yet). I printed one envelope. It came out slightly wrinkled but not enough to not use it.
A few words about printer noise. I don''t think it is objectionable at all. My old Dell printer would run/hum for 30 minutes after a print job and was quite annoying. This printer powers up with an incoming job, prints it with minimal noise and then puts itself to sleep. Yes, you can hear it run but I don''t find it overly loud and certainly quieter than my old printer.
Time will tell but so far, I''m very happy with my purchase.
Want Brother Printer MFC7860DW Wireless Monochrome Printer Discount?
Alright, so I did a whole bunch of research before finally selecting this printer, and can honestly say that I am extremely happy with it.
I actually bought it from a different store during a promotion with a lower price + free gift, but I see that Amazon has it at the same price now. Btw, you should go to the 7860DW printer''s product info page on Brother''s website and easily check the prices offered by the various vendors that sell this item online or in stores. Quite efficient.
Now to the review.
1. Wireless is great. This thing comes off from deep-sleep in a flash and prints fast. Btw, some reviews said that it doesn''t go into deep-sleep (fully quiet) when on wireless, but only in wired mode. That is wrong info. I have it on wireless and it goes into totally quiet mode after 3-4 mins idle.
2. Looks nice and sleek. Matte finish, so it wont catch fingerprints and smudges.
3. Nice, clean design. Smooth shape & form factor, unlike some other printers I looked at which had weird shapes and ledges etc sticking out and have potential to break accidentally.
4. This thing is sturdy. No cheap/flimsy parts.
5. Auto duplex is very useful, and is extremely fast.
6. The initial install (i.e. connect printer to wifi network and install to first laptop) was a few simple steps with the provided CD. No problems. Install on my second laptop was even shorter. Both my laptops are Windows 7, one is 64-bit and the other is 32-bit. And yeah, the printer was able to get the network login credentials from my laptop during install, so I didn''t have to separately enter login/password etc for it. I thought that was cool.
7. I also installed Brother''s free iPrint/Scan app on my Android tablet and my Windows Phone, and can print pics and PDFs from those devices wirelessly. Sweet! (Hope they update the app to enable printing Word docs and Powerpoints as well. That would be quite useful).
8. ''Scan to'' xyz device function works great, including to my tablet through the app. Good quality color scans.
I''ve only had it for a couple of weeks, so if I discover new good/bad things, I''ll try and update this review.
Btw, every place I''d visited to check pricing and deals (the usual popular brick n mortar stores that sell printers), the sales guy inevitably praised Brother printers, especially for durability/quality over HP and Canon. And this includes the sales guys in stores where they do not work for commission. So I hope this printer stands the test of time.
Hope this review was useful to you. If you have any questions, please use the comments section below and I will try to respond quickly.
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I loved the Brother HL-5140 laser printer --no problems for 5 years plus-but now need the copy/scan functions, (have no land line for the fax). I was hoping to try another company (thinking, what am I missing?). But after thoroughly researching what is out there (in terms of my values and needs -I like economical workhorses that don''t waste my time), I kept returning to the Brother MFC 7860dw.
I like to ride the tails of the new features, well after they have been tested and improved on, bugs fixed, and the price has come down AND I''ve checked the reviews on Amazon, of course. I went out to a couple big-box stores and played with menus, lifted and opened, ...enough to see which ones felt so cheap they would drive me crazy. In terms of a physical relationship with a machine, I felt we were a solid match, so I just waited for the right price.
After all that, you might say I was invested in the product before I even bought it, which is part of the secret of technology: Have fun, learn the moves and tricks, don''t assume anything, keep your sense of wonder about what the human animal has wrought (usually the layers of history of development show around the edges)-all before you are under pressure to produce anything.
I am embarrassed to say I read everything in all the deadening documentation associated with this product except the online knowledgebase and the how-to files. Here is my honest suggestion: Do NOT read the manuals at all. Throw them in the box in the attic. There are a few gems buried in there, but most of the documentation for these products makes little effort to truly serve the user''s real needs. Just learn on your own through playing around. Do write down what you learn or you''ll forget unless you''re using something regularly.
The most useful online support is a Troubleshooting document: read that before you have any trouble and you''ve learned from fellow travelers rather than from some bureaucrats paid to put out a document.
One point upon wireless set-up (not in the documentation): All was smooth until the machine was asking me to enter the numbers on the back of the router (the key, I think it''s called). I was stuck: whenever I arrowed to the next entry space on the machine''s menu, my entry would turn into an asterisk. Just keep going. This is what''s supposed to happen. -a little note in the documentation would have helped.
I''ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and I''m very happy with my choice. I have a small office at home with a Vista laptop using Verizon fios wirelessly. I have a couple of friends I quickly/easily added for wireless use of the machine also.
The wireless scanning is plenty fast for me so I have not even directly connected my laptop to the MFC 7860dw at all, and may never. I hesitate to add wired usage since I do not want any problems. Though I enjoy technology, not that much. (Let me know if adding a wired connection--AFTER having so much luck with wireless--is smooth; There were some posts on an earlier machine saying otherwise.)
P.S.: my earlier Brother created a smell when printing and I would crack the window, this one doesn''t at all. The toner probably has been improved.
P.P.S: Software: I like the advanced mode of the Control Center 4 best -switch to that right away so you can see what changes you''ve made as you choose things either on the hardware or software. The code for Remote Setup is "access."
I find the PaperPort scanning management software (version 12) a great addition, but it has a long learning curve. You have to stay with it over time and don''t try to push it to it''s limits.
Good Luck.
