For small business owners and home office professionals needing a robust and efficient printing solution, a color laser multifunction printer is an invaluable asset. If you’re looking beyond basic models and demand superior speed, enhanced features, and long-lasting performance, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW stands out as a top-tier upgrade in the realm of color laser multifunction printers.
Our pick for the best upgrade printer with better speed and features, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW, on a green background.
This business-class machine excels in providing speed and comprehensive functionalities tailored for demanding environments, be it a bustling small business or a productive home office. Compared to standard options, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW delivers faster print speeds, sharper output, increased durability, and advanced security features, making it a worthwhile investment for users who prioritize performance and reliability in a color laser multifunction printer.
While it represents a more significant investment compared to entry-level models, the MFC-L3780CDW justifies its price with enhanced speed and the ability to produce crisper text and more vibrant graphics. Within the category of color laser printers offering a full suite of productivity features comparable to leading inkjet models, this Brother model emerges as one of the most cost-effective choices, balancing initial investment with long-term value as a best color laser multifunction printer.
Navigating the printer’s settings is generally straightforward, thanks to a user-friendly interface. However, individuals with visual impairments might find the display challenging due to the black menu bar at the footer blending into the black screen. This minor design element is something to consider, although it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall functionality.
Equipped with a paper tray capable of holding 250 sheets and a robust duty cycle of 4,000 pages per month, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW is engineered to handle substantial workloads. This capacity comfortably exceeds the needs of most small and home offices, ensuring that it can keep pace with demanding printing and scanning tasks.
Fast and High-Quality Printing, Though Scanning Reproduction Can Be Improved
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW lives up to its promise of speed, boasting a print speed of up to 31 pages per minute (ppm), according to Brother. This is a notable improvement over the 22 ppm average observed in tests of the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw, a leading competitor in the laser printer category.
In comparative tests, the MFC-L3780CDW demonstrated similarly sharp text output and crisp, band-free graphics, matching the high standards set by the 3301fdw. As is typical with laser printers, image prints may exhibit a slightly flatter appearance. For users who frequently print photographs, dedicated photo printers are still recommended to achieve optimal photo quality.
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When it comes to scanning, the MFC-L3780CDW, like many laser models, doesn’t quite match the nuanced reproduction quality of top inkjet all-in-one printers. Scanned graphics may appear somewhat duller compared to the original source files. While perfectly adequate for most office tasks, this is a characteristic inherent to laser scanning technology across the board.
Built for Endurance and Heavy Use
Durability is a key strength of the MFC-L3780CDW. It starts up quickly and features a recommended duty cycle of 4,000 pages per month. This is nearly double the 2,500-page duty cycle of the 3301fdw, highlighting its capacity for more intensive use. This robust duty cycle makes it well-suited for handling large print volumes, even during peak periods like audit season, without risking machine burnout. For businesses anticipating significant monthly print volumes, this is a crucial factor in choosing the best color laser multifunction printer.
Standalone Functionality Without Relying on a Computer
For situations demanding immediate prints without the delay of booting up a computer, the MFC-L3780CDW offers a convenient USB port. This feature allows for direct printing of common file types like JPEGs, PDFs, and TIFFs directly from a USB drive. It also supports saving scanned documents to a USB drive, enhancing its versatility as a standalone office tool.
Versatile Media Handling for Varied Print Jobs
The MFC-L3780CDW is designed to handle a variety of paper sizes. Its foldout bypass tray accommodates letter, legal, executive, and postcard-size media. The automatic document feeder also supports legal-size documents, making it adaptable to diverse office printing and scanning needs, including specialized document formats.
Enhanced Security Features for Sensitive Environments
Security is a paramount consideration in modern office environments, and the MFC-L3780CDW excels in this area, surpassing many inkjet and laser printers in its class. It incorporates firmware integrity and encryption protocols to minimize the risk of unauthorized access. Features like directory authentication, secure fax holding until credential entry, and role-based access control for multi-user setups are included. An integrated NFC card reader adds another layer of security, enabling badge authentication for print job release, particularly beneficial in workplaces with strict security protocols.
Economical Operation Over the Long Term
Operating costs are a significant factor in printer ownership. When using super-high-yield toner cartridges, the MFC-L3780CDW offers competitive per-page costs of approximately 2.5¢ for black prints and 12.9¢ for color prints. These costs are lower than those of the 3301fdw and align with the black-printing costs of Brother’s monochrome models, making it an economically sound choice over time, especially for businesses with consistent printing needs.
While the initial cost of super-high-yield toner cartridges is substantial (around $530), options for lower-capacity high-yield and standard-yield cartridges are available. These reduce the upfront toner expense to approximately $402 and $290, respectively, but result in higher per-print costs. Businesses should evaluate their print volume and budget to determine the most cost-effective toner strategy for this best color laser multifunction printer.
User-Friendly Interface with Minor Visibility Issue
The color touchscreen interface of the MFC-L3780CDW is designed for ease of use, offering a less frustrating experience compared to some competing models. Its intuitive navigation simplifies printer operation for a wide range of users. However, a minor drawback is the black-background footer on the touchscreen, which testers with limited vision found difficult to see, unlike the monochrome Brother MFC-L2900DW which has better contrast in this area.
Warranty Coverage and Extended Options
Brother provides a one-year warranty for the MFC-L3780CDW. While this is standard, some competitors in this class offer longer warranties; Canon, for example, provides a three-year guarantee on its home-office machines, and HP includes on-site service within one business day within their one-year warranty. However, Brother offers extended warranty options (starting at $103) that include free repairs at authorized locations or next-day business shipping of a refurbished replacement model, allowing users to enhance their coverage if desired.
Conclusion
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW stands out as a best color laser multifunction printer upgrade pick for small businesses and home offices that demand speed, robust features, and long-term reliability. While it comes at a higher initial price than basic models, its enhanced performance, durable design, and cost-effective operation with high-yield toner cartridges make it a smart investment for users with significant printing and scanning needs. Its minor shortcomings, such as scan quality not matching top inkjet models and a potentially challenging touchscreen for visually impaired users, are outweighed by its numerous strengths in speed, security, media handling, and overall efficiency, solidifying its position as a top contender in the color laser multifunction printer market.
