Brother DCPL2540DW Wireless Compact Laser Printer | Best Product 2014

Brother DCPL2540DW Wireless Compact Laser Printer

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I replaced an old flat bed manual scanner with this, looking for simplicity. I needed a reliable and user friendly (i.e. SIMPLE and INTUITIVE). I have looked a many All-In-One (AIO) devices and found them to be unreasonably complex and difficult to figure out. I picked out this unit, in particular, because it's one of the few that comes WITHOUT a FAX option. FAX units have to include a dial pad and too many confusing controls.



The unit functioned exactly as stated, Stand Alone. I unwrapped it, inserted the printer cartridge (a "TN-630" which has to be installed in a plastic tray) and then plugged it in. I warmed up quickly and worked right away, using a one button ("START") to print. It is a black and white laser printer, which mades durable, permanent copies of documents, which several people found impossible to differentiate from the originals. That's high praise (Hint: Stamp your originals with a colored ink or a check mark).



Later, I connected it up to my computer (Macintosh), but found no drivers included for Mac OS. (Hence the lower rating) The disc included was a huge disappointment! Instead of including any kind of software or printer drivers, the disc only has one URL (web address) that points to the drivers you have to download over the internet. The home where I installed this AIO had no internet access or any kind of wireless network.



So, I connected up my iPhone and turned on the HOTSPOT mode. That allowed me to connect to the Mac and get to the internet site, long enough to download about 175 MBs of software and printer drives. To my amazement, the software worked perfectly and the printer was immediately available for work, in a stand alone office.



Pros: Light weight (~23 lbs), simple, safe, intuitive. Fast set-up. Fixed power cord, heavy duty wire.

Cons: Requires INTERNET ACCESS for MAC OS users. Uses a lot of power (makes the lights dim like a hair dryer)

Duplex printing is awkwardly implemented. Does not duplex copy from feeder - only from one page at time on the glass top.



Note: Did not use it on a Windows PC