Help with MFC Printer

Archi on 13/06/2024 - 09:20
Last edited 13/06/2024 - 09:20

i need help with purchasing a MFC printer,

  • i have 2 young kids in school
  • printing in colour would be helpful, doesn't need to be photo quality i guess,
  • laser seems to be the way to go for quality,
  • are LED printers better?
  • toners are about $100 each but at over 1000 pages each i dont think i will be changing them yearly

has anyone used or have this that they can comment on
Brother MFC-L3760CDW Colour Laser Multi-Function Printer

similar budget dont think i want to spend more that this,

there is lower model one as well that looks similar
Brother MFC-L3755CDW for $439 at Scorptec
Brother MFC-L8390CDW for $499 at centre

thanks guys.

Computing Printer

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 13/06/2024 - 09:49
    +1

    Just been doing a deep dive trying to talk a friend out of buying a new printer. But if you must… I recommend Epson EcoTank. HP Instant Ink is an compelling subscription model but everyone says the printers prematurely become e-waste. Colour laser toner is still stupidly expensive for home users, ok for corporates for whom having an office-grade device is mission critical. With phone scanning so effective and convenient, do you really need an MFC?

    • jv on 13/06/2024 - 09:56

      Seems they don't need photos, want good quality text and don't print much….

      • sumyungguy on 13/06/2024 - 10:02

        If colour is not negotiable I'd go for the non-photo models of EcoTank. In my household we figured it was more economical to have a mono laser and get occasional colour jobs done outside.

    • Archi on 13/06/2024 - 11:56

      mainly for school work for the kids, colour at home would be convenient, its not that much more in the unit it's the toners that suck up the money but i have a feeling i'd be replacing the toners maybe 1 every couple of years,

  • JimB on 13/06/2024 - 09:49

    There isn't a big difference between LED & Laser (unlike inkjet and Laser).

    Make sure whatever MFC printer you go for can scan 1 pass duplex. And make sure it's Laser or LED.

    Secondly, make sure you can get generic toner cartridges for it. This will save you a huge amount over the long run. I'm sure you can find it for that model Brother but double check.

    • jv on 13/06/2024 - 09:57
      +1

      go for can scan 1 pass duplex.

      Depends how much scanning you do and how many pages at a time…

      • JimB on 13/06/2024 - 10:14

        For an extra $20 or so, you may as well get the higher model with this feature.

        • jv on 13/06/2024 - 10:15

          Why? If you never need to use that feature?

          • JimB on 13/06/2024 - 10:17

            @jv: In case one day you will scan more than 1 page at a time.

            The same can be said for home insurance. I've never needed to claim on my house insurance yet. I still stump up for it each year.

            • jv on 13/06/2024 - 10:18
              +1

              @JimB:

              In case one day you will scan more than 1 page at a time.

              Well, I'd rather save $20 and turn over the 2nd page manually that one time.

              • JimB on 13/06/2024 - 10:29
                -1

                @jv: Time is money.

                • jv on 13/06/2024 - 10:51
                  +1

                  @JimB: Pretty sure most people can't earn more than $20 in 10 seconds.

                  • JimB on 13/06/2024 - 11:31

                    @jv: red light district says otherwise.

                    • jv on 13/06/2024 - 11:31
                      +1

                      @JimB: You are the only use case for that theory.

  • RubenM on 13/06/2024 - 10:03
    +1

    Having an MFC printer for myself and a different MFC for my business, I think that it's generally a good printer, however there are two things I don't like:

    Scan quality is pretty bad. The mono multifunction MFC has one corner that's always out of focus, the colour one is okay, but definitely not great.
    The software looks and feels like it was written for Windows 95. Connecting to the printer isn't that reliable, especially over WIFI.

    • JimB on 13/06/2024 - 10:13

      What MFC?

      I have a Brother MFC-L2750, the colour scanner quality is excellent. My only complaint is sometimes the scanning page is a little wonky when using the ADF.

      Software, connection and wifi is very adequate.

  • Bruceflix on 13/06/2024 - 10:24

    Before buying, do your research on whether the printer can take generic ink/toner. Sometimes you'll pay a little more but the savings will be large in the lifetime of the printer.

    • Archi on 13/06/2024 - 11:57

      how can you tell if a printer can take generic toners??

      • jv on 13/06/2024 - 12:01
        +1

        You install them and see if they work.

      • Grunntt on 13/06/2024 - 17:58

        how can you tell if a printer can take generic toners??

        InkStation sell them so I assume it may be possible unless Brother have updated the firmware.

  • Wiadro on 13/06/2024 - 10:32

    i got myself a HP Color LaserJet MFP M477fdw from FB mp for $100 with mostly full toners

  • AngoraFish on 13/06/2024 - 10:39

    I've had an older model of the Brother MFC-L3760CDW for more than 15 years now. I was literally saying to my partner last week that it's been the best and most reliable piece of technology I've ever bought. It's still fantastic, does everything we need it to do, takes generic powder toner and has never done us wrong.

    • sumyungguy on 13/06/2024 - 10:47

      In a similar vein, my trusty Fuji Xerox mono laser is coming up to 18 years in service. It has a Brother print engine so uses their consumables and drivers.

  • KaTst3R on 13/06/2024 - 10:57

    Dont update the printer firmware if you want to use generic toners.

    First thing to do is to turn off auto update when you turn on the printer.

    • jv on 13/06/2024 - 11:25
      +1

      😲

  • JimmyF on 13/06/2024 - 12:54
    +1

    has anyone used or have this that they can comment on
    Brother MFC-L3760CDW Colour Laser Multi-Function Printer(officeworks.com.au)

    Got one of these and works great.

    Just be aware the first set of toner for the unit is a little eye watering! But once you get that out of the way, its all good.

    i have 2 young kids in school
    printing in colour would be helpful, doesn't need to be photo quality i guess

    The colour is nice to have if you have kids for homework etc. Yes its not photo quality, but for 99% of the stuff you print at home it is great.

    If you want to go photos, send them to officeworks/kmart etc.

  • AustriaBargain on 13/06/2024 - 13:21

    Virtually all laser printers are LED printers these days.

  • spackbace on 13/06/2024 - 13:47

    You'd be surprised how little you need to scan, especially for school kids.

    Personally I'd just stick with a colour laser printer, ~$250, make sure it has wifi (or a mesh node with ethernet nearby)

  • Archi on 18/06/2024 - 13:46

    thank you for the help

    will be picking up the MFC-L3755CDW in a couple of days,.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join