Brother MFC-8860DN Flatbed Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the 8860DN a couple weeks ago to replace my aging HP 3330.While I'm quite happy with much of the 8860DN, there are a few things that could use improvement.Some of these can be addressed in software, others I fear are hardware issues.

BTW, I'm on my second machine because I thought some of the issues with the first warranted a replacement.Now I know its a "common" issue.

1)The print engine creaks and makes popping sounds as the fuser heats and cools.Even the demo machine in Office Depot does the same thing.The creaking is really annoying if you sit near the machine.A Brother senior tech rep tells me this issue is common to many Brother lasers.Well, gimme a break because HP and others don't creak!**UPDATE**Brother Corporate office tells me the popping sounds are considered "normal" by the engineers and at this time they have no plans to fix.Pathetic if you ask me.I think most users will agree!!!

2)The scanner ADF head will sometimes make odd sounds when its scanning the last page of a multi-page scan.It sounds as if the motor or gears need lubrication.

3)I've had the COPY function lockup on me a couple times (other fucntions continue to work) and the only way to correct is to power cycle.Cause is unknown but the clowns at Brother support tell me to keep power cycling the resolve the problem.IDIOTS!

4)The IFAX feature is not very well explained and is somewhat odd in the way it works (or tries to work).I've yet to really figure it out.As an alternative I use the FAX FORWARD TO EMAIL function which works well.

5)A PC software bug:When scanning multiple pages its impossible to multitask since the scanner interface takes the focus away from whatever you are doing everytime it begins scanning a new page.Brother apparently knows about this issue and will correct in the next software version.

Other than the above isues, I'm fairly satisfied in the short time I've been using this MFC.If I may comment in response to one of the previous reviews, the beep sound is adjustable and I believe if the user took the time to read the manual, he'd be quite happy with the level of customization available on this machine (I rarely hear of people complaining about too many features).Oh, and yes as stoneaged as it sounds, some people still do occasionally receive faxes.

As far as I'm concerned, the print speed is excellent.Even complex pages print quickly with nearly no delay between pages.A huge improvment over my old HP.Also, I find the scan speed on non complex scans to be excellent.Complex and high res scans are somewhat slower, but they are with many scanners (and certainly about every multifucntion I've run across).Print duplexing is another very nice touch and I'm surprised it works as well as it does.The 8860DN gets the job done and it does them well overall.

Things about the 8860DN I prefer over the new HP 3390 I compared it to.

1) 8860 has a legal size scan plate
2) 8860 will fax forward to email
3) 8860 is $150 less with approx. the same cost per page in consumables.
4)8860 does duplex scan, copy

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Product Description:
The MFC-8860DN has a convenient flatbed design that accommodates either single sheets or bound documents for copying, faxing, or scanning. With the ability to function as a digital copier, the unit supports reduction and enlargement of documents from 25 to 400 percent in one percent increments, makes up to 99 copies, and includes sorting functionality. Copies up to legal size can be made from both the glass and the automatic document feeder. Print and copy speeds up to 21 pages per minute keep up with busy offices, while outstanding resolution of up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi gives each document exceptional legibility.
The MFC-8860DN features two sided (duplexed) printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. You can take a typical document file and simply choose to print it as a duplexed document right from the MFC-8860DN's print menu, with the orientation you prefer. Your selection then happens automatically, without the need to reload the paper to print the other side. You can also copy or scan two sides of the same document and either print the copy or store the scan as two single-sided pages, or as a single two-sided page. Or, you can copy or scan two single-sided documents and produce a copy or store a scan as a single two-sided page. You can even scan a two-sided document for faxing with only one step and it will be received as two single-sided pages.


Print, fax, scan, and copy -- all from one powerful unit. View larger.
Send scans, copies, and faxes directly from the MFC-8860DN to colleagues that are listed in your network address book.
Choose the document feeder or the flatbed.
Single or double sided -- you make the call. As a full-function stand-alone fax machine, the MFC-8860DN supports up to 340 total speed dial locations, and also incorporates dual access and broadcast faxing features. It stores up to 600 pages for Quick Scan faxing or out-of-paper fax reception. Stand-alone fax and copy operation is standard, so no computer is required.
When operating as a scanner, the unit is capable of color scanning up to 9,600 dpi interpolated resolution (up to 600 x 2,400 dpi optical). For Windows and OS X 10.2.4 or greater based users, there is an easy-to-use "scan to" button for scanning directly to an FTP site, image application, OCR, E-mail application or file. Save time and reduce errors with instant direct access through your network connected MFC-8860DN to a virtually infinite number of e-mail and fax addresses stored in your LDAP network address books. Simply use the large, clear 5-line LCD display on the MFC-8860DN's control panel to view the contacts stored in your network address books and scroll to select the address you need. Then you can quickly send faxes and Internet faxes to your selection, and perform scan-to-e-mail-address functions.
The MFC-8860DN provides the ability for an administrator to set various levels of password protected access to certain features, for each of up to 25 different users per machine. Through this feature, you can restrict specific employees such as part-time workers or interns from access to scan-to-e-mail functions or other avenues for sending data outside your walls.
The color scanner function comes bundled with document management and OCR software. ScanSoft PaperPort SE with OCR software is available for Windows and Presto! Page Manager is available for Mac users. Meanwhile, The MFC-8860DN is supplied with built-in wired Ethernet networking. The unit is compatible with both PC and Mac operating systems (Windows 98/NT4.0/2000/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 9.1-9.2, OS X 10.2.4 or greater). Standard emulations of PCL6 and BR-Script3 (PostScript3) are included as well. Brother provides a one-year warranty, covering parts and service.

What's in the Box
Multifunction unit, paper tray, multipurpose tray, TN540 Standard Yield Toner Cartridge (3,500 Pages), DR510 Drum Unit (20,000 Pages) CD-ROM with drivers and utilities, printed user's guide, warranty information

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