Brother MFC-7820N 5-in-1 Network Monochrome Laser Multifunction Center
by Brother Printer
|
List Price: Our Price: $199.00 You Save: $50.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Brother MFC-7820N 5-in-1 Network Monochrome Laser Multifunction Center
Customer Review: With Price Increase-No Longer A Good Value for a Compact Multifunction Machine
Summary: 5 Stars
When my old, expensive FAX machine failed in 2005 I was forced to look for a replacement. The many choices were mind-boggling, but the Brother MFC-7820N caught my eye for several reasons. It was selling then for less than $[...] after rebate, the 2,500 page replacement toner cartridges sell at retail for less than $[...] (less than 2½ ¢ per page) and this machine has additional features that I could not have imagined when I bought my previous FAX machine more than ten years prior.
Now after nearly three years, this machine has proven its reliability, is selling for nearly $[...] less and there are third-party sources for toner cartridges that charge less than $[...] for them further lowering the cost per printed sheet. Based upon my positive experience with this machine I recommended it to a friend who ordered it from Amazon. I installed it for him in May of 2008 and noted that the software has been upgraded and the network installation is now much easier than it was in 2005.
Aside from being able to scan a 20 page FAX in about a minute and then transmit the pages automatically from its memory, the Brother MFC-7820N has a built-in CAT-5 network interface enabling it to serve as a network laser printer. Any user on the network can send a FAX directly through this machine without printing it first. This machine also performs well as a digital 20 ppm auto-feed photocopy machine. The machine's automatic document feeder, which holds about 35 pages, also works with its scanner, enabling anyone on the network to scan multiple page documents into any application that supports scanning. I use it to automatically scan pages into Adobe Acrobat which is much more convenient than hand-feeding the pages into my flat-bed scanner. The included software package will also perform OCR (optical character recognition) and translate printed documents into text that can be edited.
In addition to its automatic document feeder, this machine also has a flat platen to scan, copy or FAX bound or bulky documents. This multi-function machine's built-in Website enables the network administrator to set up speed-dial and one-touch dialing from a computer, monitor the status of the machine's consumables and obtain other statistics.
After using this machine since 2005, here are the things that I like about it:
1. This machine has the lowest price that I've found for a machine with so many features, is simple to set up, is reliable and has never needed any repairs.
2. Scanning a multi-page FAX is fast and dependable and it automatically sends documents at the fastest speed possible to other FAX machines from memory; trying again if the receiving machine's line is busy or doesn't answer.
3. From a cold start this machine can print or copy faster than other machines and its FAX, print and copy image quality is excellent.
4. The cost of consumables is reasonable, dramatically less than ink-jet and lower now than they were in 2005.
5. This multi-function machine is surprisingly compact, lightweight and takes up much less space than a separate scanner, copier, network printer and FAX machine would require. FAX pages come out face down in the same order as they were received, so you don't need to reshuffle the pages into the right order.
6. Using the cheapest standard 20 lb photocopy paper available, I've rarely had paper jams or problems with the automatic document feeder.
7. The machine can be programmed to automatically reset its internal clock in the Spring and Fall for daylight savings time. (A free firmware upgrade is now available for download that installs the new changeover dates.)
8. Built-in memory can store hundreds of FAX pages.
Things not to like:
1. The paper tray holds only a half-ream of paper.
2. Scan quality is adequate but not good enough for critical work. For serious graphics work you would need to use a dedicated scanner.
3. If you depend upon this machine, or any other multi-function machine, for all of its capabilities you'll lose them all when it needs repair or replacement.
In summary, the Brother MFC-7820N takes up less space and costs less than buying a separate printer, scanner, FAX machine and copier. It also costs less than other laser multi-function machines. Yet it does all of those jobs capably and quickly. This makes the Brother MFC-7820N ideal for someone with a tight budget and a small office or home application where all of those features would be useful.
When I bought this machine, it was selling for less than half the current posted price. At the current price shown; more than $500, it doesn't represent the very good value that it did a year ago.
Customer Review: Practically perfect match for Mac OSX Leopard!
Summary: 5 Stars
(The following is a review I've posted for the Brother MFC-7420, this unit's 'little brother', which is basically the same unit but without networking capability...it costs about $40 less.)
Finding multi-function units that are compatible with Apple is not easy. I first bought a Canon MF-4150 (about $250). Gorgeous unit, everything worked great until I tried to scan...no luck, no matter what I tried. Finally contacted Canon customer service, and they responded that Canon machines don't support scanning on Mac. I took it back (thank goodness for Staples' return policy...no questions asked, they just exchanged it for my next choice, a Samsung SCX-4725FN). Again, all the right features, but again, no luck getting it to scan. So last week, I exchanged the Samsung for a Brother MFC-7420. Seems Brother takes great pride in their support of Apple, according to another reviewer. (Again, awesome customer service from Staples on the return.) Got it home and spent 2 hours trying to get everything hooked up but NO SCANNER. After 40 minutes on the phone with Brother tech support, I learned that it does indeed support Leopard 10.5, but needs a bit of tweaking, accessed by the tiny little icon that loads at the very top of the monitor to the left of the clock. Once I clicked on that, a whole new world of scanning opened up. Very sad that this bit of information isn't anywhere in the manual, setup brochure, or disk. But once tech support told us what to do, the machine runs like a champ. Admittedly, I haven't used it much yet, but I am absolutely thrilled with this unit. You can scan directly into an e-mail, or into a folder, or onto your desktop. Scan is very flexible. Great Automatic Document Feeder, and flatbed scanner (ANY printer you buy must have a flatbed scanner if you plan to scan books, checks, photos, receipts or anything else, other than standard-sized paper, because without a flatbed scanner your original must be fed through the document feeder.)
Anyway, the Brother manual is written extremely clearly, with great diagrams and flow charts, and not full of typos like the Samsung manual was. There are higher levels of instruction that you must access from the CD-ROM, but you can get all the basics just by reading the manual, and lots of what you'll be doing is intuitive. Features, quality, dimensions and footprint are great. Brother has been making faxes for seems like centuries, and they're wonderful units. I'm only sorry that I didn't just go with this unit originally. A note on fax machines in this category: it seems (to me anyway) hard to find a multi-purpose unit with fax that will co-exist with an external answering machine. With most of these units, you have to plug the answering machine directly into the unit, or they 'fight' over which one answers the phone. I found an almost perfect solution with this one: you set its fax machine to 'manual' (it won't answer when the phone rings) and then if you answer your phone and hear it's a fax, you just type *51 on your phone's keypad and it activates the fax machine. It works like a charm...only down side is that you can't get a fax if you're not home to manually answer the phone first, so this option isn't for those who get many faxes. This machine has a 'brother' unit which I think is identical other than it is dark gray in color and that it can be networked; It's about $40 more.
If I have any problems down the road with this one, I'll update this review, but I have a feeling I'm going to be thrilled with it. If you've tried to find a Mac-compatible printer (laser or inkjet) you know what I've gone through...but for me, at least, it appears my search is over. Thank you Brother, and thank you Staples! (no offense to Amazon, but I spend enough money there already to not feel guilty).
Customer Review: A superior product. Highly recommended!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I can only say that if you would like a Multi-Function printer (MFC), where it is possible to be able to print, fax, scan and copy, this should be a very good option.
I have been using Brother since 2004, when I purchased the DCP-100 sans fax. I never had any problems with that machine, but I needed an upgrade fo networking possibities at my home office.
Let me just say that of the machines I looked at out there, this one had the most features for the money.
Installation is very easy. Just hook up the ethernet cable (for a LAN printer) and install the software. That was it! No muss, no fuss. This is the way good technological products are supposed to work! I installed the software package on each computer and it is installed to be able to use. In fact, the software makes the printer the default printer automatically. Again, ease of use is key here.
Some have mentioned a noticeable power draw. That is true, but it is noticeably less that my older DCP-1000. I noticed a very slight power draw. Also, I don't believe this machine is any nosier than any other printer out there. All printers make noise, this is no more remarkable in that aspect. Also, the physical footprint of this machine is also smaller than my older printer, and with the fax contained inside, I freed up much more deskspace.
The fax aspect is terrific. Can easily do broadcast faxes (faxes to more than one number at a time), and the fax is extremly quick. So much so , I had to get a transmission report to ensure faxes were sent (of course they were). And the menu is very straightforward to navigate! Again, another ease of use issue in favor of this machine.
The scan option is also good (not great) with the included Paperport software. Works well, but not the main reason I purchased the machine so no real basis on which to compare. It seems better than my older DCP-1000 machine.
Since 1993, I have owned an HP, a Canon and now two Brothers. In my opinion, the Brother MFC is a superior product. I would also say that I tried a print server with my DCP-1000. Getting a networked printer (with LAN ethernet access) is much easier and less cumbersome. I had to do nothing to use the printer, AND instead of reserving the printer as the Print Server requests, this thing just spools the jobs.
One last thing that impresses me. This machine, is much more basic looking (read slick looking) that my older machine, and holds 250 sheets inside the printer. Also, the print jobs comes out of a slot and can sit there. No more sheets overflowing onto the floor.
All in all, I cannot say enough about this first-class machine. For a home-office or small business it is really a bargain considering the options and it is indeed a superior product.
Customer Review: Mac Users -- This is YOUR Printer!
Summary: 5 Stars
'Old Reliable' -- aka my Samsung ML 1210 -- was wheezing more than a climber at the top of Everest. My Panasonic fax was as feisty as ever, grabbing 4 pages at a time while sending/receiving faxes Jackson Pollack-style. It was time for an upgrade. Wow; what a step up.
Of all the companies to offer 'true' OS X, Mac-compatibility, surprising to see it from a traditionally fax machine/label maker one. Brother's MFC 7820N software functionality is flawless for my wife and I's iBook's, running 10.3 and 10.4, respectively. True 'touch controls' power this unit, the Control Center software allows seamless and intelligent faxing, copying and scanning to customizable folders, email locations, etc. I did a double-take when spotting PC Fax capability LIMITED TO MAC's(!). Control Center is so Mac-friendly, it even comes with software for folks running OS 9.
Moreover, setting up this unit to print wirelessly from a network was a snap. It quickly linked up with my Belkin Wireless Access Point, finally allowing affordable printing AND faxing (from local files) without being tethered to a desk. The Remote Setup function is likewise very clean; a nice break from endless scrolling across the sharp LCD. I still, however, face the occasional (once every month, on average) software glitch in print jobs not communicating wirelessly with the printer. Turning the system off/on again solves the problem pronto.
Hardware-wise, the MFC 7820N is standard quality for multifunction units...hardened plastic with decent give...although with a much smaller footprint than competitors (including several from Brother). To put size into perspective, the MFC 7820N is approximately 1/3rd wider than standalone, monochrome laser printers, same height. Dig the large slide out paper try + print output at the center of the unit. No paper mess spewing from this one. Related, the paper feed (at early review) is outstanding. Take that, Panasonic fax.
Cost-wise, the MFC 7820N is a steal, a couple hundred bucks less than similarly featured units. Toner can be had at 1/2 the price of most conventional laser units -- $40 or lower.
Nearly 8 months in, I am left wondering why I stomached the high pitched squeal of my ML 1210 for this long. This Mac user finds the MFC 7820N a winner.
Customer Review: Great MFC all-round
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll second many of the reviews on this thread. Overall, it's the best functionality out there for price. Great print quality. Superior network-based scanning capabilities including the PaperPort software it comes with. The only real negative is the printer feels really flimsy and plasticky - the paper tray and open-up drawers. Feels like it's going to break some day (but hasn't yet).
For those who run into troubles reaching their 7820N when it's IP address changes... I ran into a problem with my 7820N today which other people may hit so I figured I'd post it here where there's tons of other good 7820N info. I just installed a new router with DHCP server that uses a different IP address range than the old router I replaced. This of course caused my Brother 7820N IP address to change. The strange thing is not only did the IP address change, but the Brother 7820N factory node name (which is advertised into WINS I believe, allowing all 4 of my Windows XP PCs reach it via node name) also changed as the Brother took on an new IP address. It changed from "BRN_046922" (this is my Brother-generated unique factory node name...yours will likely differ) to "dhcppc3". Not sure where this new "dhcppc3" name came from...potentially assigned by my new router. But with all 4 PCs already thinking my Brother printer and scanner and fax server were "BRN_046922", you can imagine the pain of manually having to reconfigure every print, scan, and fax driver in 4 PCs. I found instead I could just reset the node name on the 7820N itself to fix the problem. I logged into 7820N Web interface using it's new raw IP address, looked at Network Configuration main pane, clicked on "Node Name", changed "dhcppc3" to "BRN_046922" and pressed submit. That's it. Now the printer is again visible to Brother's status monitor program and reachable again via the printer driver, the PaperPort scan driver, etc.
Took me a couple hours to figure out what went wrong. Hope this saves someone else some debugging time...
-Andy