We’ve reviewed a number of multifunction printers (MFPs) from Brother. One of the first MFPs we reviewed was the Brother MFCL8600CDW. That one was followed by reviews for three other A4 colour MFPs in the form of the Brother MFC9330CDW, the Brother MFC9340CDW, and the Brother MFCL9550CDW. Those multifunction printers were mainly meant for small to medium scale enterprises that expect to print in high volumes. The printer that we’re reviewing here i.e. the Brother MFC9140CDN, is different because it is not really meant for high volume printers.
This printer can be seen as an entry level, highly affordable device suited for smaller users. This means that it is suitable for micro to small scale businesses that only print infrequently. It may even be appropriate for individual users, who expect to print a lot in a month. The Brother MFC9140CDN is a colour LED multifunction printer that doesn’t have a lot of capacity to print but does offer decent features. If you’re thinking about buying it, then the following review should be helpful.
Strengths of Brother MFC9140CDN
As is normal with all multifunction printers, the Brother MFC9140CDN performs four different functions – printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. You can add another function to this set too as many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) do in their marketing materials. This fifth function is the ability to print from and scan to web applications such as Sky Drive, Picasa, Google Drive, Flickr, Facebook, Evernote, DropBox, and Box.
The fact that the Brother MFC9140CDN is an entry-level MFP means that it is incredibly affordable. It is available in the region of $400, depending on where you look. This is clearly a positive quality of this printer because not many MFPs are available in the market in this range. The pricing of this printer is even more astounding when you consider that its standard configuration gives you the facility of automatic duplexing.
Even if automatic duplexing in the Brother MFC9140CDN is dual pass, it still adds a very useful option when you’re looking to cut costs. The output quality of this MFP is actually quite impressive too considering its price range. The rated maximum resolution of this device is 2400 x 600 dots per inch (dpi).
In practice, the text output is more than enough for most official purposes while graphics and image quality aren’t bad either. While you won’t be able to print marketing material with this device (obviously), you can use image and graphics printing for internal purposes. The scanning resolution of this device is also quite good at 1200 x 2400 dpi. The device is designed to be durable too. Unlike many other printers in the market, this durability doesn’t come at the cost of appearance. This printer is durable without looking clunky largely because the corners and edges have been rounded. While the appearance of this MFP will not suit fashionistas, it shouldn’t stand out like an eye sore.
Weaknesses of Brother MFC9140CDN
There aren’t many weaknesses of the Brother MFC9140CDN. This is mainly because this is an entry level printer and buyers usually keep their expectations realistic while buying it. In other words, all features and expectations of this device are coloured by its pricing.
Even so, one thing that can’t be ignored is the absence of Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi Direct is becoming a staple feature with most modern day printing devices, almost to the point where their market segment becomes irrelevant. However, the Brother MFC9140CDN doesn’t offer that connectivity feature. You’ll have to make do with the usual high-speed USB 2.0 and Ethernet connectivity.
If mobile connectivity is an absolute necessity for you and the lack of Wi-Fi Direct is proving to be a deal breaker, then there’s a way around the problem. The Brother MFC9140CDN supports Google Cloud Print service, Apple’s Air Print service, and even Brother iPrint. This means that if you keep this device connected to the internet through the LAN port, you can get access to mobile printing via the World Wide Web.
As this MFP is targeted at micro offices and workgroups, it doesn’t even offer a large paper capacity. The maximum paper capacity of this device is only 286 sheets, which is divided between a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), a 250-sheet paper tray, and a single-sheet bypass tray.
The printing speed of the Brother MFC9140CDN is also underwhelming. This device can only spit out about 22 pages every minute, whether you print in colour or monochrome. This is slower than many other MFPs in the market, which is something you’ll have to come to terms with if you buy the Brother MFC9140CDN.
Key Features of Brother MFC9140CDN
The Brother MFC9140CDN is a fairly compact device. It weighs only about 18.5 Kg which means that you can probably move it around without help. The device measures 410mm tall, 483mm deep, and 410mm wide. The dimensions aren’t ideal but they don’t make the device too cumbersome either. Furthermore, most of the connectivity options and ports are placed at the back of the device, giving it a streamlined look from the outside.
The grey and white colouring of the Brother MFC9140CDN further means that it can gel in with most design schemes. To the front of this device, you’ll find a 9.3cm TFT colour touchscreen. While the touchscreen may require hard presses, the menu structure is fairly decent and the Graphic User Interface (GUI) is also easy to navigate and manage. In case you’re wondering how much you’ll be able to print with the Brother MFC9140CDN in a month, its rated monthly duty cycle is to the tune of 1,500 sheets.
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