BROTHER MFC-8420 DRUM

Brother MFC-8420 Review

Overview:

This all but obsolete model from brother was, in its day, one of the top multifunctional performers on the market. The Brother MFC-8420, though comparatively slow by today’s standards, offered affordable print, copy, scan, and fax options in a single, comprehensive piece of hardware. While it would not be wise to seek out an 8420 for purchase, third party retailers do, in fact, continue to carry consumables for this rapidly aging laser printer.

Pros:

While not as effective as a built in LCD screen, the Brother MFC-8420’s five line LCD text based display is more than enough for navigating through menus and extensive print and fax options. The area where the multifunctional unit excels most at is probably fax functionality. With 32 MBs of built in memory, the unit can store up to 600 pages of fax page memory.

The device’s built in Super G3 33.6 Kbps fax modem allows for transmission and reception of faxes at speeds approaching 2 seconds per page, which is as fast as anything in existence. The unit’s built in automatic document feeder is huge and can carry up to 50 pages of input, making large scan, copy, and fax projects virtually automated.

There are three different model variations of the Brother MFC-8420 including the base model and the Brother MFC-8420D and Brother MFC-8420DN models, both which include automatic duplexing. The “N” model also includes the additional luxury of built in network abilities, making it easy to connect multiple devices to this high volume machine. The “N” model also gets a small boost in standard paper storage. While non-networkable versions come with a 250 sheets standard storage capacity, the Ethernet model can hold up to 300 sheets. All models can be upgraded with an additional paper tray to compensate for up to 500 sheets.

Additional fax functions include up to 300 programmable speed dials, and impressive 40 single touch speed dial locations/ buttons, fax forwarding, fax paging, remote retrieval, quick scan (2 sec.), and broadcasting to up to 390 locations. As stated earlier, the unit truly excels as a fax machine, unfortunately its out of date hardware is borderline unacceptable by any current standard.

Cons:

The Brother MFC-8420’s top print speed of only 17 pages per minute is roughly half that of laser printers found on the market today. While this performance specification may suffice for the home user, it is no longer sufficient in any type of busy work environment. As an older unit, the overall size of the MFC is also quite intimidating, as well as annoying. The device’s dimensions of 20.9 x 17.5 x 18.5 in. (W x D x H) limit its usefulness in a desktop or home environment.