BROTHER MFC-8840 DRUM

Brother MFC-8840 Review

Overview:

The now discontinued Brother MFC-8840 was available in both a duplex and duplex plus networking model. The Brother MFC-8840D and Brother MFC-8840DN as they were known as were capable of printing and copying at speeds of up to 21 pages per minute, as well as executing a variety of fax and scan functions.

Pros:

With a maximum monthly duty cycle of up to 20,000 printed pages, the Brother MFC-8840 machines were obviously designed for heavy duty. Though Brother recommends an optimal monthly usage of only 500 to 3,000 pages, a one year warranty backs the product under heavier abuse.

With a built in Super G3 fax modem built in, the Brother MFC-8840 is capable of transmitting and receiving fax data at rates as fast as two seconds per page. Due to the limitations of the technology itself, this speed is on par with any fax capable machine available today. The device’s fax machine also features a huge range of fax functions that include a critical 500 page fax memory (expandable up to 600 pages) that is essential for preserving data that is received when the print function is not available due to either a paper outage or simultaneous job process.

This built in memory also makes a quick scan feature possible which scans in data at a faster rate than the machine can fax it at and stores it, freeing up the unit’s automatic document feeder for other uses. The quick scan feature can enter page data into memory at a rate of around 2 seconds per page. Auto scan locations total 340 while broadcasting can be done to up to 390 locations. Other fax features include dual access, automatic redial, fax forwarding, automatic fax reduction, and distinctive ring detection.

As a copy machine, the Brother MFC-8840 is a fairly capable device. With copy functions such as reduction and enlargement, as well as full stand alone operation, users will have no problem making custom copies with the device. Scanning is also made simple via the unit’s built in 50 page automatic document feeder, and resolution specifications are decent all around.

Cons:

Unfortunately, in a world of 30 page per minute plus multifunctional units, the Brother MFC-8840’s 21 page per minute max print speed is no longer adequate for cutting edge business usage. When every second counts, an older unit such as the 8840 is just not up to speed, literally. On the flip side, home users looking to score a fully loaded machine at a bargain price may be able to pick up one of these gems at a cut throat rate.