BROTHER MFC-3340CN BLACK OEM INK CARTRIDGE

Brother MFC-3340CN Review

Overview:

When adding color fax capabilities to an entire office network, a particular type of machine is required and the Brother MFC-3340CN fits the bill. Though the device is quite dated in many respects, its network color PC fax function places it in a rare category, and its inclusion of full copy, scan, and print functions keep it relevant in today’s business marketplace.

Pros:

The Brother MFC-3340CN boasts dedicated memory slots that allow users to print photos directly from the device without ever integrating a host PC. A built in USB port also allows direct connection to a digital camera itself without ever exchanging a memory card. Other stand alone features include copy and fax functions; both of which benefit from the unit’s built in automatic document feeder.

With a built in automatic document feeder, medium volume copy and fax projects are made simple, though the Brother MFC-3340CN’s ADF has only a 20 page capacity. The most outstanding feature of the device is its extremely high print resolution which is selectable all the way up to 6000 x 1200 dots per inch, allowing for truly lab quality photo printing in full color. Borderless printing is also an option when using standard photo sized glossy paper.

Even in this discontinued model’s senior years, its fax functions continue to hold up against today’s machines. With a built in Super G3 33.6 Kbps fax modem, users can receive and transmit fax data at a rate of approximately 3 seconds per page. Due to the limitations of phone lines, this is about as fast as it gets. The unit also includes a built in fax page memory that allows the device to store incoming data internally in the event of a paper outage. Up to 400 pages can be stored at a time.

Cons:

The device’s scan resolutions are quite disappointing, with an optical scan quality of only 600 x 1200 dots per inch which can be boosted via interpolation to a very limited 2400 dots per inch. Input color scan depth is also only 36 bits, making photo scanning less than photo realistic. Copy functions also carry a major flaw in that they operate at speeds of only 17 pages per minute for black and white and 11 pages per minute for color.

Print speeds are only slightly more impressive with a maximum black and white print speed of only 20 pages per minute and a color print speed of up to 15 pages per minute. With 30 page per minute and up printers available on the market today for less than one hundred dollars, the Brother MFC-3340CN is certainly less than impressive in its old age.