At one time the MFC-8870DW was quite literally at the top of the line for Brother’s Multifunction Center series. If you wanted absolutely every feature Brother had to offer in an MFC, this was the device to turn to. The now discontinued model has been surpassed since by bigger and better things as new technology was developed, but the MFC-8870DW still reigns as a powerhouse all in one that is one of the highest powered printer’s out there.
It’s harder to find a feature that the MFC-8870DW doesn’t have than one it excels at, as Brother has really thrown everything it’s got into this unit. Generally speaking, on top of all the standard printing, copying, and faxing features that vary from unit to unit, there are three luxury features that are often optional or not included: duplexing, networking, and wireless capabilities. The MFC-8870DW has them all.
Duplexing capabilities can sometimes be deceiving, as they don’t always include both double sided input and output. The MFC-8870DW can duplex print and fax, as well as copy and scan. It can also work congruently with the 50 page automatic document feeder, giving you the ability to throw a stack of double sided pages onto the unit, press a button, and export a duplicate, double sided stack. If you consider all the features required for this process (ADF, duplex copy, and duplex print), it’s easy to see why this complex ability is limited to few machines. The copy speed also matches the intense print speed of 30 pages per minute, though this doesn’t account for duplexing.
Wireless networking is a must for optimal office performance, and the built in 802.11b/g wireless network interface takes care of it for you with easy setup and auto network detect features, so you wont waste any time getting this office companion up and running. If you prefer wires or your network is entirely corded, the MFC-8870DW hasn’t left out an Ethernet port for you, as well as USB and Parallel ports.
The flatbed design allows maximum scanning versatility and includes a legal sized document glass that can scan large surface areas, including books and other thick media that cannot be squeezed through the automatic document feeder. Either way, interpolated scan resolutions reach an almost unmatched 19200 X 19200 dots per inch for lab quality output. The popular “scan to” feature allows for scans directly to an e mail or image directly, and in this case multiple pages of input can be incorporated into a single PDF file.
What would a fully loaded model be without the capacity for a high yield toner cartridge? The MFC-8870DW cartridge can yield up to 7,000 pages which conserves both time and money for your business, and, if you prefer, the standard sized cartridges are available with approximately a 3,500 page yield for those with lower output demands.
What was the absolute pinnacle of print technology in 2006 is still a high end machine today worth considering. The Brother MFC-8870DW still stands as a truly fully loaded unit that any small to medium sized business could benefit from.
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