The Brother MFC-L8900CDW is a high-performance industrial printer designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern businesses. Known for its exceptional speed, robust build, and versatile functionality, this printer is a powerful tool for high-volume printing tasks. With its advanced features, including fast print speeds, high-quality output, and comprehensive connectivity options, the Brother MFC-L8900CDW stands out as a reliable choice for offices and industrial environments.
Targeted primarily at businesses and industrial users, this printer is built to handle the heavy workloads and diverse printing needs typical of large organizations. From producing sharp, professional documents to handling complex printing tasks with ease, the MFC-L8900CDW ensures that businesses can maintain efficiency and productivity.
Choosing the right industrial printer is crucial for any business aiming to optimize its operations. A reliable printer like the Brother MFC-L8900CDW not only improves workflow but also reduces downtime and operational costs. In this review, we will explore the features, performance, and overall value of the Brother MFC-L8900CDW to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your business needs.
Brother MFC-L8900CDW Industrial Printer
Specifications
Brand: Brother
Connectivity Technology: Wired, Wireless
Printing Technology: Laser
Special Features:
- USB Host to print from and scan to your USB flash memory card
- 70-page Auto-Document Feeder
- 5.0″ Color Touchscreen Display
- NFC (Near Field Communication)
- Print from and scan to Cloud Services
- Super high-yield replacement cartridges
Color: White
Model Name: MFC
Printer Output: Color
Maximum Print Speed (Color): 33 ppm
Max Print Speed (Monochrome): 33 ppm
Item Weight: 63.1 pounds
Features
- Fast, high-impact color printing and copying at speeds up to 33ppm (based on one-sided printing; change from default setting required). The Brother MFC-L8900CDW comes with 512MB of standard memory, utilizing Electrophotographic Laser technology for precise and reliable print quality.
- Experience low-cost printing with Brother Genuine super high-yield 6,500-page replacement toner cartridges (approximate yield based on ISO/IEC 19798 standards).
- The 70-page capacity duplex auto document feeder scans single-sided pages at up to 29ipm and double-sided pages at up to 58ipm, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
- Navigate menus and create up to 64 customized shortcuts effortlessly with the 5″ color touchscreen display.
- The printer features a 250-sheet capacity paper tray adjustable for letter or legal sizes, along with a 50-sheet capacity multi-purpose tray. For larger print jobs, the total capacity can be expanded to 1,300 sheets with optional trays.
Design and Build Quality
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW is designed with a robust and compact form factor, making it suitable for various office environments. Its dimensions are approximately 19.5 x 20.7 x 21.6 inches, allowing it to fit comfortably on a standard office desk or printer stand. The printer weighs in at around 63.1 pounds, which, while substantial, is manageable for most office setups.
Materials Used in Construction
Constructed with high-quality, durable materials, the Brother MFC-L8900CDW is built to withstand the demands of heavy-duty use. The exterior casing is made from sturdy plastic, providing a balance between durability and ease of maintenance. The internal components are designed to ensure long-term reliability and consistent performance, making it a dependable choice for businesses.
Ease of Setup and Installation
Setting up the Brother MFC-L8900CDW is straightforward and user-friendly. The package includes a comprehensive installation guide that walks users through the process, from unboxing to the first print. The printer comes with all necessary cables and starter toner cartridges, reducing the need for additional purchases before getting started. The initial setup involves connecting the printer to a power source, installing the toner cartridges, and configuring the network settings, whether wired or wireless. Brother’s installation software simplifies the process, ensuring that even those with minimal technical expertise can get the printer up and running quickly.
User Interface and Control Panel
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW features a 5.0-inch color touchscreen display that serves as the primary user interface. This intuitive control panel allows users to navigate through menus, access various functions, and customize settings with ease. The touchscreen is responsive and clearly displays all options, making it simple to set up print jobs, scan documents, and manage other tasks. The interface also supports the creation of up to 64 customized shortcuts, enabling users to streamline frequently performed actions and enhance overall productivity.
Performance and Efficiency
Detailed Analysis of Print Speed in Real-World Scenarios
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW boasts impressive print speeds of up to 33 pages per minute (ppm) for both color and monochrome prints. In real-world scenarios, this translates to swift handling of high-volume print jobs, making it ideal for busy office environments.
During testing, the printer consistently delivered near-maximum speed performance, even with complex documents containing both text and graphics. The first-page-out time is also commendable, minimizing wait times for users.
Print Quality for Different Types of Documents
- Text Documents: The MFC-L8900CDW excels in producing sharp, clear text documents. Characters are well-defined and legible, even at smaller font sizes, making it suitable for printing professional reports and business correspondence.
- Graphics: For documents containing graphics, the printer maintains high-quality output with smooth gradients and accurate color reproduction. This makes it suitable for creating visually appealing presentations and marketing materials.
- Photos: While not specifically designed as a photo printer, the MFC-L8900CDW still performs admirably when printing photos. The color depth and resolution are sufficient for producing detailed images, although dedicated photo printers may offer slightly better results for high-resolution photo printing.
Comparison with Similar Models in the Same Price Range
When compared to other printers in its price range, the Brother MFC-L8900CDW stands out for its balanced performance and feature set. For instance, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdw offers comparable print speeds but falls short in paper handling capacity and touchscreen functionality.
Similarly, the Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw matches the MFC-L8900CDW in print quality but is often pricier and lacks some of the customizable workflow features found in the Brother model. Overall, the MFC-L8900CDW provides excellent value, combining high-speed performance, versatile features, and robust build quality at a competitive price point.
Energy Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Features
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It is ENERGY STAR® certified, ensuring it meets strict energy consumption guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The printer features an automatic duplex printing mode, which reduces paper usage by printing on both sides of the page.
Also, the printer enters a low-power sleep mode when not in use, significantly reducing energy consumption. The use of Brother Genuine super high-yield toner cartridges not only lowers the cost per page but also reduces the frequency of cartridge replacements, contributing to less waste. These eco-friendly features make the MFC-L8900CDW a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious businesses.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Wired and Wireless Connectivity Options
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW offers a range of connectivity options to ensure seamless integration into any office setup. For wired connections, the printer includes a standard Ethernet port, allowing for stable and fast network printing. Also, it has USB 2.0 ports for direct connections to individual computers, as well as a USB Host port for printing directly from and scanning to USB flash drives.
Wireless connectivity is equally robust, with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities that support 802.11b/g/n standards. This enables users to connect to the printer from any device on the same network without the need for physical cables. The printer also supports Wi-Fi Direct, allowing for direct wireless connections between the printer and mobile devices without needing a network.
Compatibility with Different Operating Systems
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW is designed to be compatible with a wide range of operating systems, ensuring that it can be used in diverse computing environments. It supports:
- Windows: Compatibility with various versions, including Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and even some older versions like Windows Vista and XP.
- macOS: Full support for macOS, including the latest versions, ensuring that Mac users can take full advantage of the printer’s capabilities.
- Linux: The printer also supports Linux distributions, providing drivers and software that enable smooth operation within this open-source ecosystem.
This broad compatibility ensures that the MFC-L8900CDW can be seamlessly integrated into mixed operating system environments, making it an ideal choice for offices with diverse IT infrastructures.
Integration with Office Networks and Cloud Services
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW excels in integrating with office networks and cloud services, enhancing its functionality and convenience. Key features include:
- Network Integration: The printer’s Ethernet and Wi-Fi capabilities allow it to be easily added to any office network, facilitating shared access among multiple users. This integration supports efficient workflow management and reduces the need for multiple individual printers.
- Mobile Printing: The printer supports various mobile printing solutions, including Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan, and Mopria. These features enable users to print directly from their smartphones and tablets, enhancing flexibility and convenience.
- Cloud Services: The MFC-L8900CDW offers direct integration with popular cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box. Users can print documents stored in the cloud and scan documents directly to these services, streamlining document management and enhancing collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW offers both wired and wireless connectivity options. It includes Ethernet and USB 2.0 ports for wired connections, as well as built-in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct for wireless printing. Also, it features a USB Host port for printing directly from and scanning to USB flash drives.
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW integrates directly with popular cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box. Users can print documents stored in the cloud and scan documents directly to these services, enhancing document management and collaboration.
Yes, the Brother MFC-L8900CDW supports mobile printing through various apps, including Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan, and Mopria. These features enable users to print directly from their smartphones and tablets, providing greater flexibility and convenience.
