Review rated by 19 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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I've wanted a new printer for a while but am fed up of paying more for print cartridges than the printer itself so I have ordered and just received a Brother HL-2040Laser Printer.
We use Brother printers at work so I thought I would try a home version.
I'm running Windows XP so turned to the relevant page in the manual. The manual has a sort of spider diagram on the front making it very easy to find the pages you want based on your operating system and connection method weather that be USB, parallel or ethernet.
Installation *~*~*~*~*~* Windows XP requires you to install the software and drivers before plugging in the cable. The drivers are on CD and launch automatically. The screen is very east to follow and it's literally only a few clicks until the whole thing is ready to go.
When it was all installed the printer was ready to go, there was no need to reboot the PC which is always a bonus.
Toner *~*~*~
The printer comes with a starter toner which has about 1000 prints worth of toner in it (5% coverage of paper) and it also comes with a drum which needs to be replaced after about 12000 prints.
There are full instructions on how to install cartidges and drums and it literally took me seconds to put them in.
Connections *~*~*~*~*~*~*
The printer can be connected with a parallel connection, a USB connection or can be connected straight to a network with an Ethernet cable. (No cables are included) I connected my printer up with a USB cable - USB AB - and then switched it on. The computer recognised it straight away and I was ready to print.
Built into the printer is a test page that will print as soon as it is powered up. Once something is sent to the printer from the PC, this is lost from memory. I printed the test page and was pleased with the print out.
Print Quality *~*~*~*~*~*~* It is a mono printer so no colour but the quality was very nice. The ink is consistent across tha page, text is clear and print speed is quick.
I then fired up Word and printed a letter with a picture attached. For a black and white printer the picture was surprisingly good quality and the text was as the demo was.
Noise *~*~*~* When the printer is standing idle you can hardly hear a thing but when it fires up it is quite noisy. It's not really a printer you would use at night if people are asleep on the same floor as you.
How much can I send to the printer in one go? *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The printer has a built in 8MB memory - sufficient for home and small office use, no problem.
Paper *~*~*~
The printer takes most kinds of paper which you inform the printer of via the program you are printing from. The tray holds 250 sheets which is plenty for home use.
Specs *~*~*~*
No, not glasses, but what it can do!
* Up to 20ppm Monochrome printing speed * First print in under 10 seconds * Up to 2400 x 600dpi resolution * 96Mhz processor * 8MB Memory * GDI emulation * Network Optional * Up to 250 sheet paper capacity * 1 Year on-site warranty (upon Registration)
The printer is not that big either for what it is.
It weighs about 5.5KG and is 16.5cm High, 36.1cm deep and 37.1cm wide.
Price *~*~*
I paid £68.00 from Misco.com but for some reason it is up to £103 today! Staples have the printer in store for £119.99 and this is about the same as PC world, Curries and Dixons. Toner is anything from £38 upwards and drums are a little more. A cable - USB will cost you a fiver from Misco and other websites but a lot more from a shop on the high street.
So far I've printed letters and a few images and have been satistisfied. The reason I bought this printer was to print course work for my degree and it is going to be up to the job.
by (11%):
11.09.2005 20:53
a really nicely written and well laid out review. EM x
11.09.2005 00:13
This is one of your best review I've read, with lots of helpful details and not too much jargon!
10.09.2005 22:52
great review!! if i hadnt just bought a laser printer i would consider buying one :oD xx