Recommendation for a Colour Laser Printer - with Duplex Printing, Automatic Feeder and Can Use Third Party Toner?

jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 20:39
Last edited 08/03/2024 - 21:13

Hi guys, I am looking to replace our Brother 2740DW laser printer with a colour laser unit.

Any recommendation which unit to go for? Our needs are:

1) A4 is fine (A3 is a bonus but not required)
2) Auto feeder
3) Duplex printing
4) Can use 3rd party toners
5) wireless printing and LAN connectivity
6) Edit: Budget around $500 to $600.

Happy to go with the same Brother brand - but there are too many models so this makes it hard for us. Currently looking at the 3760CDW but wonder if there are better options.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

Computing Laser Printer Printer

Comments

  • hmac on 08/03/2024 - 20:55
    +5

    Brother is great for third party cartridges

  • Empharand on 08/03/2024 - 20:59
    +2

    Probably a good idea to share your budget so everyone can try and provide realistic options for you to consider..

    • jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 21:12

      Sorry. forgot to put in our budget. Looking at around $500 to $600.

  • JimmyF on 08/03/2024 - 21:15
    +2

    Currently looking at the 3760CDW but wonder if there are better options.

    I did a similar update, from a brother BW unit. Went with the MFC-L3770CDW as it has double sided scanning on the ADF, but looks like they don't sell that model anymore.

    But if that isn't a feature you want, then the MFC-L3760CDW is a solid printer like your old one was.

    • jv on 08/03/2024 - 21:19

      but looks like they don't sell that model anymore.

      https://icon-investments.com.au/products/brother-mfc-l3770cd…

      • JimmyF on 08/03/2024 - 21:20

        Hmmm ok, Officeworks stopped selling it a while ago. So maybe EOL?

        • jv on 08/03/2024 - 21:39

          or could be old stock?

    • jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 21:24

      Thanks mate. Yes I dont think i can find the 3770 as well. Don't need the double sided scanning as our old fujitsu scansnap is still working faithfully.

      Are u happy with the 3770, assuming the 3760 is similar to the 3770 in everything else except the duplex scanning?

      Are third party toner prices for this printer reasonably price in your opinion?

      • JimmyF on 08/03/2024 - 21:33
        +1

        Are u happy with the 3770, assuming the 3760 is similar to the 3770 in everything else except the duplex scanning?

        Yes happy with the unit, does what I want it to do. Use a bit of scanning to PDF via email etc via shortcut keys. Can print from mobiles to it etc.

        Works well. The 3760 and the 3770 are the same unit, just appears to have a different ADF for the duplex.

        Are third party toner prices for this printer reasonably price in your opinion?

        Shameful to say, I haven't tried a 3rd party toner yet. But the older brother BW unit was fine with them.

        • jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 21:39

          Thanks mate.

          Looks like the 3760 is the one for us then. Officeworks has this available at $499 now.

          Thanks again for your feedback!

          • The Hawk on 09/03/2024 - 10:52

            @jeeg: Check out my post below before you buy that model.

  • KaTst3R on 08/03/2024 - 21:18
    +2

    Brother laser printers can use third party cartridges but dont update the firmware as Brother actively blocks them over them.

    • jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 21:24

      Ah thanks for the heads up. I wasnt aware. Will try to not update.

      • RockyRaccoon on 09/03/2024 - 07:59
        +2

        You dont have to "try", do a search on model you buy, and when you get the printer you can turn off automatic updates (default is on). Best is to do that before you connect it to your home network.

    • bamzero on 09/03/2024 - 14:01

      I wonder how they detect them.

      I have an old Fuji Xerox and a pile of Canon toner cartridges i was given that I refill my Fuji ones with.

      Bought a bunch of chips from AliExpress and have to replace it on the cartridge whenever I refill (mind you, the cartridge is still half full of toner whenever it reckons it's empty)

      Not that my printer gets firmware updates anymore but would be pretty annoyed if they kept trying to block it

    • The Hawk on 14/03/2024 - 10:43

      Mine auto updates from time to time (and has done since I got it), never had any issues at all.
      I don't know enough to say the aftermarket cartridges I'm using are not detectable or if it just doesn't matter, but my experience with the MFC-L8690CDW and inkstations carts has been perfect.

      • KaTst3R on 14/03/2024 - 12:12

        The inkstation one im using right now is still good. But my previous cheaper ebay set got blocked after 1 update. So to avoid any potential issues, i just switch off auto update.

  • conant on 08/03/2024 - 21:42

    Two years ago I bought a second hand MFC 9335CDW for $100 from Marketplace… toooooo good and it still works. I use third party toner and drum. and drilled holes on the toner cartridge and filled the toner twice. So I am pretty sure any Brother colour printer can use third party toners/refills.

    • jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 21:50

      cracking price bro.

      • lgacb08 on 15/03/2024 - 13:41

        Not quite, my benchmark price for that model is sub $50, even scored some free to swap around consumables. That 9330/9335/9340 model are very good for the price.

    • skillet on 13/03/2024 - 19:32

      Why is this down voted??!!

  • shutuptakemymoney101 on 08/03/2024 - 22:31
    +2

    Have a look for something 'Kyocera', they are more business orientated and don't use any shenanigans to make it difficult to use third party toner.

    I don't trust the brands usually sold in big box stores not to push out a firmware update which makes it hard to use non-genuine inks/toner.

    • jeeg on 08/03/2024 - 23:07

      thanks mate - had a quick google search - seems the printer is also a lot more costly. Which model are you using currently?

      • shutuptakemymoney101 on 08/03/2024 - 23:28
        +1

        We don't print 'that' much at home and had an issue with our last inkjet printer where the nozzles gummed up. I decided to look around for a laser printer instead.

        Ended up jumping on a deal I saw on Ozbargain for a Kyocera ECOSYS P5021cdn for $189 delivered.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/721704

        We use third party toner from InkStation which has always worked well - using Google you can always find a discount code.

        The more you initially pay for a printer can also dictate the toner costs, this is something to weigh up in your decision also.

        https://www.inkstation.com.au/

        Mine is obviously not the model you are looking for but in general I rate the Kyocera pretty high and would definitely look at what they had in a more feature packed model should I be looking for one like you.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/03/2024 - 03:57
    +1

    A3 lasers are very uncommon, especially in colour.

    • lgacb08 on 15/03/2024 - 13:43

      Not uncommon but expensive, anything A3 for home office is overkill because of huge footscreen.

      • AustriaBargain on 15/03/2024 - 13:53

        Inkjet is actually good for A3 and bigger. But if you dont' print bigger than A4 very often you may as well just go to Officeworks or something for your odd big print.

  • The Hawk on 09/03/2024 - 10:52
    +2

    @jeeg

    We have the Brother MFC-L8690CDW we got from Officeworks five years ago. I'm only 7,500 pages through and using aftermarket cartridges without any issues.

    Still for sale in Officeworks:
    https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/brother-mf…

    Price match centrecom:
    https://www.centrecom.com.au/brother-mfc-l8690cdw-multi-func…

    Then it comes down closer to the MFC-L3760CDW at $575.10 (it's 10% off the lower price right?)

    BIG NOTE!!!!

    The smaller machines (like the MFC-L3760CDW) embed more "stuff" into the cartridges (which makes them more expensive) where the larger machines like the MFC-L8690CDW have separate and replaceable belts/drums/rollers. Technically they will eventually wear out and need replacement, but they have a service life of something like 100,000 pages and by then you will have saved far far more with the cost of the toner cartridges and it's typically cheaper to just replace the printer at that point.

    Toner for MFC-L3760CDW - $286
    https://www.inkstation.com.au/4-pack-brother-tn258xl-compati…

    Toner for MFC-L8690CDW - $108
    https://www.inkstation.com.au/4pack-brother-tn443-compatible…

    Plan B: If you have the space, ex office multifunction devices can be found for cheap, will do A3 and have much lower operating costs and for home use will likely never need to be serviced, but it's more of a gamble. We considered it before getting this Brother which has been perfect for our requirements. (plus we can slip in a print or two on the office machine at work for A3 stuff if ever needed).

    • jeeg on 09/03/2024 - 11:43

      wow thanks bro. That is a good breakdown. I am re-considering the 3760. Does not seem very economical in the long run.

      Super glad you posted - we are originally going to Officeworks today to get the printer. I will hold off a bit and think about more.

      • The Hawk on 09/03/2024 - 15:06
        +1

        I didn't notice before, but the estimated yield on the MFC-L3760CDW carts is almost about half that of the bigger printer. So really, after the first set of replacement cartridges you're going to be ahead!

        • jeeg on 09/03/2024 - 16:04

          Thanks mate. This is greatly appreciated.

  • MeesusEff on 10/03/2024 - 00:06

    Im using the Epson wf3640 and its been pretty good. I just bought inkstation ink and it works well so I'm guessing a 3rd party toner would be fine too

    • jeeg on 10/03/2024 - 00:14

      Thanks mate - but I am looking for laser printer not an inkjet.

  • ATTS on 10/03/2024 - 13:09

    Curious, what auto feeder means?

    Is it relate to the duplex printing?

    • jeeg on 14/03/2024 - 20:20

      sorry mate only saw your post today. duplex printing = printing on both sides of paper.

      • ATTS on 15/03/2024 - 06:14

        No worries

        Haha i know what duplex is , i wanted to know what was auto feeder means

        • jeeg on 15/03/2024 - 12:19

          ahh sorry. I meant to refer to that automatic paper feeder at the top of the printer for copying and scanning purposes.

          Some printers only come with a flat bed so if you are copying/scanning multiple pages, u have to manually do this for each page.

          • ATTS on 15/03/2024 - 15:50

            @jeeg: No worries

            Youve really educated me, thanks!

            The auto feeder for copy and scanner sounds very convenient! I never knew they existed. I use to have a scanner beforr it broke down and it was annoying loading one by one

            • jeeg on 15/03/2024 - 22:22

              @ATTS: no worries mate. The auto feeder is quite handy and some models allow u to scan both pages of the paper as it is being fed through, so u dont have to physically flip the paper stack to the opposite side for the scanner to scan again.

              • ATTS on 16/03/2024 - 08:56

                @jeeg: Even better! Thanks!

  • Waltervp on 14/03/2024 - 09:39
    +1

    I use the Brother MFC-L3770CDW which has been flawless for me with light use and uses third party toner. Can highly recommend it.

    • jeeg on 14/03/2024 - 20:20
      +1

      Thanks mate.

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