This printer satisfies every gripe I have about printers. Usually there's some quality about one that makes you say, "It would have been perfect, but if only it didn't have this one problem." Each aspect of this printer is as good or better than pretty much all other printers out there at this time. And I'm a person who is relentless when it comes to researching products before buying them for myself.
Resolution: It goes up to 1200x1200, which is the highest out there currently. 1200x1200 is best for text. But it also does 2400x600, which is typically better for graphics. Most other laser printers only do up to 2400x600.
Toner: Cheap! You can pick up "compatible" cartridges for $30 now which will last 8000 pages. This is the cheapest of any printer I've seen. Other printers (such as HP) cost $70 for 2000-3000 pages even with a "compatible" cartridge.
Print quality: Excellent. I used a magnifying glass to try to detect any imperfections in text or graphics but didn't find much. No white raster lines, "jaggies", smudging, bleeding, noise or random dots printed anywhere. Large black rectangles are solid and consistent. Gray scale patterns didn't appear to have any defects.
Memory: 32MB. Most other laser printers only do up to 8MB currently. You need memory if you want to do full-page graphics. It lets you expand memory by adding an inexpensive ($30 new) 512MB memory card. Many printers don't even allow expansion, or they force you to buy their own special memory cards at a huge price.
Paper: Doesn't jam. Easy to load. Has a manual feeder also. Allows 2 extra paper feeders if you want. Most printers don't allow that.
Duplex mode: Fast, easy to use, saves paper. I'll never buy another printer without it.
Paper curl: You wouldn't notice it unless you were specifically looking for it. Barely detectable even with duplex mode printing and cheap paper. Even envelopes print with hardly any curl.
Rear output tray: Has it! Many printers don't. Its predecessor model didn't. This "straight out the back" mode allows you to print envelopes, cards, and special paper without ever bending it if you really want perfection.
On/Off switch: Has one! I mention this because many printers don't. Without one, a printer is left on all the time, which uses 10 watts of power (not much, but still) and reduces product lifetime somewhat.
Lifetime: The predecessor model (HL-5250DN) has great reviews. People said they're still using it 3 years later. The HL-5370DW has just about the same design, and I expect it will last a while. Not a cheap, throw-away printer like you often see.
Networking: Haven't tried it. But it has it, and it will become very useful when I get a wireless laptop to add to my existing desktop PC (both will need to share it).
Languages: It speaks both Postscript 3 and PCL. That guarantees it will be compatible with any OS out there, even older ones. And since it doesn't use "host based" language like cheaper printers do, it won't eat up your CPU and slow things down during printing.
In conclusion, this is a well-designed, high quality printer with low long-term operating costs, and I'm completely satisfied. I'll add an update to this review if I ever encounter problems with it.
- Steve Brother HL-5370DW Laser Printer with Wireless Networking and Duplex
This little boy is excellent. And you can't beat it for the price too. Also extremely easy to set up.
I am coming from an HP LaserJet, also 30 papers per minute. So I was comparing it to the HP when I shopped.
My HP, while it served me good, was not as sharp black as the Brother is. I like the print results from the Brother much better. Plus, the Brother have settings whether you're printing text only, graphics, general, or office documents, in addition you can choose "manual" and tweak the settings yourself to your liking. I also like that the size of the printer is pretty small.
The HP was a little faster from sleep mode (like 8 seconds), while the Brother 5370 takes approx. 14 seconds. Not a biggie. The processor was faster in the HP, but 99% of the time you won't notice the difference. Once it starts printing, it spits out papers like crazy. Very fast. One important note, though: The fast 32 ppm is only if you are printing in 600 dpi mode. If you need the higher quality 1200 dpi mode, print speed will be down by half! But there again, 99% of the time the 600 dpi is more than enough. Some higher quality graphics may require 1200 dpi, though.
Printing envelopes thru the multi-purpose paper tray is very good, and they're not getting curled (like many old Brothers did) as long as you open the rear output tray. It can not print thru the regular printing area (if you do, it will still print, but envelopes will get wrinkled). I miss the HP in that area. It's much less cumbersome.
The printer is quite noisy. But most fast laser printers are noisy.
The duplexer worked beautifully. You just select "Duplex" or "Booklet", and the printer does the rest. Very good job with that.
I did not use the wireless networking, but from the manual it seems to be a little complicated. Also from the manual, is the following: "...Although the printer can be used in both, wired & wireless network, only ONE of the connections methods can be used at a time..." So keep that in mind if you want to use both.
I would suggest the following improvements, if Brother is interested to listen:
- Make it quieter;
- Add a little high-quality display instead of all the lamps (also miss from my HP - all cheap inkjet have'em today!);
- If out of paper, it should beep, so I know to add paper (optional - not everyone will like beeps);
- Enable the multi-purpose paper tray to be opened with one hand (like my HP), not force me to use both hands.
Overall, though, it is a pleasure to use. Highly recommended.
**UPDATE**
I contacted Brother to help me setup wireless network. I must say I am amazed at the support I got. I can't recall if I ever had such a good experience with any other company! No waiting, knowledgeable staff, and helped me in less than minutes! And it works like a charm! - Wireless - Monochrome - Duplex - Wireless Printer'
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