BROTHER MFC-9850 DRUM

Brother MFC-9850 Review

Overview:

With pitiful copy resolution and a gigantic footprint, the Brother MFC-9850 has outworn its welcome in the world of multifunctional laser printers. This monochrome device is capable of executing the most basic of print, copy, scan, and fax abilities, but only to the most minimal of degrees. The Brother MFC-9850 is suitable only for light duty, single host PC usage.

Pros:

While the performance specifications of the Brother MFC-9850 are pitiful, the device remains a machine that is capable of a variety of laser printing tasks. It can print, copy, scan, and fax very affordably, though at low quality and speed. It might even prove a valuable addition to the small business with very light print demands, due to its obsolescence, and therefore bargain basement price.

A limited range of features are included with the device, including fax broadcasting to up to 182 stations and fax forwarding. A fax page memory is also included, though the Brother MFC-9850’s on board memory is limited to only 4 MBs. The device’s paper storage supplies are also fairly standard. A 250 sheet standard paper tray is accompanied by a 50 sheet bypass tray that is the perfect tool for printing to special media without having to unload regular paper stores. Maximum storage capacity reaches 500 sheets with the inclusion of an additional paper tray, and the device’s built in automatic document feeder can hold a substantial 50 pages.

Cons:

Almost every performance statistic for the Brother MFC-9850 is laughable; even those concerning the device’s fax machine. With a primitive 14.4 Kbps modem, the device can transmit and receive faxes at the limited speed of 6 seconds per page or more. Print speeds are limited to a horrible 12 pages per minute, and copy speeds are the same.

Maximum print resolution is restricted to a mere 600 x 600 dots per inch, meaning even bare text will look somewhat pixilated. Copy resolution is even worse, and tops out at a horrible 300 x 600 dots per inch. There is also a limit to copies made at one time. A maximum of 99 copies can be made from a single source in one process.

The unit itself is an unsightly mess, with a huge footprint and heavy curb weight. The Brother MFC-9850’s width is 19.4 inches and its depth 18 inches, while it stands a towering 16.9 inches high. Its weight of 37.5 pounds means that moving the device around frequently is almost out of the question, and its lack of built in network compatibility restricts the device’s connectivity options to its built in USB and parallel ports¸ which allow it to connect to only one PC.