Brother Professional Laser Printer with Scanner, High-Speed 36 ppm Monochrome All-in-One, Wireless Duplex Printing and Scanning, Cloud-Ready 3.5 in Touchscreen for Small Business (MFC-L2900DW)
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AI Verdict
This is a 36 ppm monochrome laser all-in-one with single-pass duplex scanning and a 3.5-inch touchscreen, designed for small offices needing high-volume black and white document processing.
This printer is a strong fit for small businesses or home offices that primarily handle black and white documents and need efficient scanning capabilities. Its 36 ppm print speed and single-pass duplex scanning with a 50-page ADF directly address high-volume needs, while dual-band wireless and cloud integration offer modern workflow flexibility.
If you need color printing or significantly higher paper capacity, look for a color laser all-in-one with expandable paper trays.
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Pros
- Prints at a rapid 36 pages per minute for monochrome documents, keeping workflows moving quickly.
- Features single-pass duplex scanning and copying, processing both sides of a document in one go with its 50-page automatic document feeder.
- Offers flexible connectivity including dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, and USB, supporting mobile printing and cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
- Includes a 3.5-inch touchscreen for direct navigation and access to cloud functions, simplifying operation.
- Consumes 22% less electricity and warms up faster from sleep mode due to an enhanced fuser design.
- Toner cartridges are reported to be affordable compared to other brands, with replacements yielding up to 3,000 pages.
Cons
- Prints only in monochrome, lacking color output for documents requiring it.
- The 250-sheet paper tray may require frequent refilling for users with very high print volumes.
- A separate imaging unit needs replacement, which can add to long-term costs.
- Lacks an option for additional paper trays, limiting expandability for paper capacity.
- One user reported issues with AirPrint functionality.
Dimension Scores
The 3.5-inch touchscreen provides direct and intuitive navigation, enhancing user comfort during operation.
Connectivity options like dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB offer flexibility in placement and integration into various network setups.
Users report the machine feels well-built and sturdy, with one user noting their previous Brother printer lasted 10 years.
Described as having a compact and functional design with a professional black and white color scheme, fitting into various office environments.
Best For
- Small businesses or home offices with high volumes of black and white printing and scanning.
- Users who frequently scan multi-page, two-sided documents and need fast processing.
- Workspaces requiring flexible network connectivity, including dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
- Environments prioritizing energy efficiency and quick warm-up times from standby.
Not Recommended For
- Anyone needing to print in color.
- Offices that require a paper capacity exceeding 250 sheets without manual refills.
- Users who rely heavily on AirPrint for mobile printing.
Watch Out For
- The printer is monochrome only, so if you ever need to print anything in color, you're out of luck.
- The 250-sheet paper tray capacity means you'll be refilling paper more often if you print hundreds of pages daily.
- There's no option to add extra paper trays, so you're stuck with the standard capacity.
- A Reddit user upgrading from an older Brother model mentioned their previous printer (MFC-L2700DW) frequently went into deep sleep mode and required re-entering Wi-Fi credentials, which could be a concern if not resolved in this model.
- The separate imaging unit eventually needs replacement, adding a potentially costly maintenance item beyond just toner.
Full Specifications
| UPC | 012502674085 |
| ASIN | B0D9ZMLK67 |
| Brand | Brother |
| Color | Black |
| Duplex | Automatic |
| Ink Color | Black |
| Model Name | MFCL2900DW |
| Sheet Size | 8.5X14 |
| Color Depth | 1 bpp |
| Item Weight | 26 pounds |
| Print media | Paper (plain) |
| Manufacturer | Brother |
| Model Series | MFC-L |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed |
| Series Number | 2900 |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Printer Output | Monochrome |
| Controller Type | Android |
| Number of Trays | 1 |
| Processor Count | 1 |
| Special Feature | Auto Document Feeder, Energy Star, Epeat Qualified, Single Pass Duplex Copy and Scan, Touch Screen |
| Total USB Ports | 1 |
| Printer Ink Type | Laser Toner |
| Item model number | MFCL2900DW |
| Compatible Devices | IPhone, Laptops, PC, Smartphones, Tablets |
| Hardware Interface | Ethernet, USB 2.0 |
| Maximum Media Size | 8.5 x 14 inch |
| Product Dimensions | 16.1"D x 12.5"W x 16.6"H |
| Dual-sided printing | Yes |
| Included Components | AC Power Cord and Telephone Line Cord, DR830 Drum Unit (15,000 pages), MFC-L2900DW Printer, Product Safety Guide, Reference Guide, Warranty Card, Quick Setup Guide, Starter Black Toner Cartridge (700 pages) |
| Printing Technology | Laser |
| Compatible Cartridge | TN830, TN830XL, TN830V |
| Total Ethernet Ports | 1 |
| Number of USB 2 Ports | 1 |
| Maximum copies per run | 250 |
| Connectivity Technology | Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi |
| Initial page print time | 6.9 Seconds |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 256 MB |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 250 |
| Max Printspeed Monochrome | 36 ppm |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 1 ppm |
| Additional Printer functions | All In One, Copy, Scan |
| Maximum Color Print Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi Dots Per Inch |
| Max copy resolution black-white | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00012502674085 |
| Maximum Black and White Print Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi Dots Per Inch |
What Buyers Say
Users are consistently pointing out the speed of this printer, with many highlighting the 36 ppm output as a major benefit for their small office needs. The single-pass duplex scanning and the 50-page automatic document feeder are also frequently praised for boosting productivity when handling multi-page documents. While the setup process is generally described as easy, especially the wireless connection, some users appreciate the affordability of the toner cartridges compared to other brands. The main recurring limitation is its monochrome-only printing, which is a deal-breaker for those needing color.
“Okay, so I just needed a fast black and white printer for my home business, and this thing delivers! The duplex scanning is a lifesaver for invoices, but man, I wish it had a bigger paper tray, I'm always refilling it. Still, for the price, it's a workhorse.”
Common Praise
- Prints black and white documents at 36 pages per minute, making quick work of large jobs.
- Single-pass duplex scanning and the 50-page automatic document feeder efficiently handle two-sided documents.
- Wireless setup is quick and straightforward, often involving scanning a QR code.
- Text quality is sharp and clear, making documents easy to read.
- The 3.5-inch touchscreen is responsive and simplifies navigation through functions.
- Toner cartridges are considered affordable compared to competitors.
Common Complaints
- Only prints in black and white, lacking any color printing capability.
- The 250-sheet paper tray needs frequent refilling for heavy print users.
- No option to expand paper capacity with additional trays.
- A separate imaging unit eventually needs to be replaced, adding to maintenance costs.
- One user reported issues with AirPrint functionality.
Ownership Tips
- The starter toner cartridge lasts for about 1,000 pages, with replacement cartridges available for up to 3,000 pages.
- The compact footprint makes it suitable for desks where space is a concern, despite being larger than some older models.
- The energy-efficient fuser design means it wakes up from sleep mode faster than older models.
- Scanning to email and printing from mobile devices without extra apps is a convenient feature.
- The dual-band Wi-Fi helps maintain a stable connection, addressing issues some users had with older models dropping Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this printer print in color?
No, this is a monochrome laser printer, meaning it only prints in black and white.
What is the paper tray capacity?
The main paper tray holds 250 sheets of paper. There is also a single-sheet manual feed slot.
Can it scan two-sided documents automatically?
Yes, it features single-pass duplex scanning through its 50-page automatic document feeder, allowing it to scan both sides of a document in one pass.
Is it compatible with Wi-Fi?
Yes, it supports dual-band wireless connectivity (2.4GHz/5GHz), along with Ethernet and USB options.
How fast does it print?
It prints at a speed of up to 36 pages per minute for black and white documents.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a laser all-in-one like this, you need to think about how much you print and what kind of documents. This one's a monochrome machine, so if you need color, stop right here. For black and white, its speed and automatic two-sided scanning are huge for productivity. Also, consider the cost of toner – it's not just the printer price, but what you'll pay over time for consumables.
36 ppm (pages per minute)
This tells you how fast the printer spits out pages. 36 ppm is pretty quick for a small office laser, meaning you won't be waiting around for large documents to finish printing.
Single-pass duplex scanning
This is a big deal for scanning two-sided documents. Instead of scanning one side, flipping the paper, and scanning the other, this printer scans both sides in a single pass, saving you a ton of time and effort.
50-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
If you have stacks of papers to scan, copy, or fax, the ADF automatically feeds them through the scanner. A 50-page capacity means you can load a decent stack and walk away, rather than feeding pages one by one.
Monochrome
This means the printer only uses black toner and prints only in black and white. It's usually faster and cheaper per page than color, but obviously, you can't print color photos or documents.
Alternatives
If this printer doesn't fit, look for a color laser all-in-one if color printing is essential, or a model with a larger paper tray capacity and options for additional trays if you print thousands of pages daily.
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