Brother MFC-8820D Laser Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For our small office of 6 people, we have been looking for an office machine that is easy to operate, reliable, and cost-effective. The four contenders are HP 3330 MFP, Canon D680 imageClass, Brother MFC 9700, Brother MFC 8820D. They are all 4-in-1/5-in-1 machines(Fax, Laser printer, Scanner, Copier, Data/Fax modem) priced below US$800. Brother MFC 9700 is cheaper but comes with a 14.4k modem and only 8MB memory and a smaller flatbed; as the result it faxes and prints slower than MFC 8820D. The remaining three candidates all have excellent "pedigrees" and are well designed and built. However Brother MFC 8820D won at the end for the following outstanding reasons:
1. The 'D' in 8820D stands for duplex copying and printing: It works seamlessly and effortless. There is no need for removing the paper tray manually (really tedious). Duplex "fax receive" saves 30% to 50% of paper by having fax printed on both sides. Now one can have some break from the cost of receiving junk faxes.
2. 32MB memory: This is more than enough for holding a lot of copies and faxes. Very good for large unattended jobs. The best part about this is again about cost. No immediate need to spend more money for upgrading the memory as is required for Canon D680 (measly 2 MB).
3. PC fax software for computer data/fax needs.
4. Expandability for network interface.
5. Digital paper count to indicate the no. of copies made and faxes received: good for cost management and safe guard against potential abuse of the machine by employees for personal uses.
6. Excellent ADF (automatic document feeder): we have not had any paper jam so far.
7. Very easy to program and operate: simple to use for beginners and sophisticated features for users who demand more advanced functions.
8. Last but not the least is the cheaper cost for its toner on a per page basis.
There are only two minor drawbacks for us:
1. MFC 8820D's ADF/scanner does not scan a page from edge to edge. However this is true of all machines in this price range. Canon D680 omits the least at both margins. HP 3330 is the worst.
2. Large footprint. We had to relocate it to a different room in the office where there is enough space instead of putting it at a more convenient place where there is easier access. Nevertheless it's not too bad considering that it replaces 4 separate machines all at once. Besides it forces us to walk down the hallway and get some exercies!! ;--]

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother MFC-8820D Laser Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax

MFC-8820D Plain Paper Laser Fax/PC Fax/Printer/Flatbed Color Scanner/Digital CopierFax Modem Speed33.6 KbpsFax Maximum Resolution203 x 392 dpiGrayscale Halftones64Memory (pages)600PC Fax Control SoftwareWindows® 95/98/2000/Me/XP/NT 4.0, Mac® OS 8.6-9.2, OS x 10.2.1 or greaterAuto Feed (sheets)50Cut Sheet SizeLetter/LegalCut Sheet Tray Capacity50 (Multi-Size Tray); 250 (Letter Tray)Copier Maximum Reduction-25%Copier Maximum Enlargement400%Maximum Copies99LCD Display5-LineBroadcast Transmission390Delayed TransmissionAuto RedialSpeed Dial Entries340Directory DialingDistinctive Ring DetectionExtension Phone HookupSpeakerphoneMonitor onlyAuto Fax/Telephone SwitchScanner Maximum Resolution9600 x 9600 dpiCaller ID/Call WaitingPrinter Maximum Speed17 ppmPrinter Maximum Resolution2400 x 600 dpiInterface ConnectivityParallel & USBSize20-7/8w x 17-1/2d x 18-1/2hShpg. Wt.52 lbs.Manufacturers WarrantyOne YearToner Page Life3300 pagesReplacement Black Toner CartridgeBRTTN530 (sold separately)Replacement Drum UnitBRTDR500 (sold separately)

Click here for more information about Brother MFC-8820D Laser Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax