Mixed Reviews
Written: Dec 09 '05
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Pros: Multifunction machine allows you to print, scan, and fax. Inexpensive to buy.
Cons: Disappointing print quality, ink runs out fast; programming tedious, complicated manual.
The Bottom Line: Advise that you check out other brands unless you plan to do very little printing.
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| sawzall's Full Review: Brother MFC3820CN Print Server |
I bought this printer through a TV shopping network about 18 months ago during a promo. It sounded much better than it turned out to be. First of all it's fairly large. You need approx. 20"x 30" space. I found the directions for initial set-up tedious.
When I attempted to connect it to my computer it wouldn't work at all. I had to go online to download drivers to make it work. If you use an older computer (Win. 95 or 98) you may not be able to use this model MFC. When I bought a new computer it was easier to interface but sometimes it still won't print without going in and resetting, or unplugging and plugging it back in. I wouldn't call this MFC at all user friendly.
As most other reviewers have pointed out it goes through a LOT of ink and the genuine Brother cartridges plus shipping are expensive, even at discount. The print quality on mine was never sharp but it was adequate until after I'd printed about 3 reams. Despite the self-cleaning mechanism (which wastes ink) the print quality went downhill after that. At the moment the black ink is out and I'm debating whether to buy more or just go buy a good printer and a separate fax machine then send this turkey to the Goodwill.
Since buying mine I've been told that most Multi-function machines aren't that great, that one function or another will usually be poor, except in the best high dollar brands. I'd have to say that the faxing was the most frustrating part. I could send a fax (sometimes) but not always. I couldn't always receive either. Someone would call and tell me they were going to fax something, then it couldn't come through. Our accountant tried to fax some papers to us and finally said, "What the h---is wrong with your fax machine??" Meanwhile I was desperately flipping manual pages, trying to figure out what to reset. I finally gave up altogether with receiving faxes.
I admit that I never used the scanner; frankly I was so frustrated by the programming, printing and faxing problems that I said to heck with it rather than try to use it. I use a separate scanner.
Maybe other people have had a better experience but I can't recommend this MFC. I advise that you carefully read reviews on several multi-function machines before you buy. You get what you pay for, usually, and this one was fairly cheap. Might be worth it to pay more and get something much better engineered.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 120.00
Driver Availability: Don't Know
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Epinions.com ID:
sawzall
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Reviews written: 3
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