For small businesses and home offices seeking a robust and efficient Laser Printer With Scanner, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW stands out as a top-tier upgrade. This business-class machine surpasses standard models in speed, print quality, durability, and security features, making it an ideal investment for users with demanding printing and scanning needs.
Our pick for the best upgrade printer with better speed and features, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW, on a green background.
Small business owners and individuals who frequently print, scan, and even fax will find the Brother MFC-L3780CDW color laser all-in-one printer to be an invaluable asset. While it represents a higher investment compared to basic models, the MFC-L3780CDW justifies its price with enhanced speed and superior output quality for both text and graphics. Within the realm of color laser printers offering comprehensive productivity features comparable to top inkjet models, this Brother printer emerges as a remarkably affordable choice.
Navigating the printer’s menu is generally straightforward, though users with visual impairments might find the interface challenging due to the low contrast between the black menu bar and the dark display screen. However, this minor drawback is overshadowed by the printer’s substantial 250-sheet paper tray capacity and a generous 4,000-page monthly duty cycle. This capacity easily accommodates the high-volume demands of most small and home offices.
Fast and Efficient Printing, Scanning Capabilities Could Be Improved
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW excels in print speed, boasting an impressive output of up to 31 pages per minute, according to Brother’s specifications. This significantly outpaces the 22 ppm average observed in tests with the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw, a leading competitor. Text documents produced by the MFC-L3780CDW are consistently sharp, and graphics are rendered with crispness and without banding, matching the quality of the 3301fdw. Like many laser printers, photo prints may appear slightly flat, making dedicated photo printers a better choice for frequent photo printing.
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW laser printer with scanner showing its paper tray and control panel.
However, when it comes to scanning, the MFC-L3780CDW, like many laser models, falls slightly short compared to inkjet all-in-one printers. Scanned images may lack the vibrancy and detail of the original documents, with graphics often appearing duller than the source files. This is a common characteristic of laser printers and something to consider if high-fidelity scans are a primary requirement.
Built for High-Volume and Long-Term Reliability
Durability and longevity are key strengths of the MFC-L3780CDW. It spools up quickly and boasts a robust recommended duty cycle of 4,000 pages per month. This is nearly double the 2,500-page duty cycle of the HP 3301fdw, making it suitable for demanding home offices and small businesses with multiple users. The higher duty cycle ensures the printer can handle large print volumes, even during peak periods like audit season, without succumbing to wear and tear.
Versatile Printing Options and Standalone Functionality
For added convenience, the MFC-L3780CDW offers a USB port for direct printing without requiring a computer or mobile device. It supports printing directly from USB drives in JPEG, PDF, and TIFF formats and can also save scans to USB storage. This standalone functionality is particularly useful when quick prints are needed without the need to power up a computer.
The printer also accommodates various paper sizes with its foldout bypass tray, supporting letter, legal, executive, and postcard-size media. The automatic document feeder further enhances versatility by handling legal-size documents for scanning and copying.
Enhanced Security Features for Sensitive Environments
Security is a paramount concern in modern offices, and the MFC-L3780CDW incorporates advanced security features, surpassing many inkjet and laser printers in its class. Firmware integrity and encryption protocols protect the printer from potential security breaches. Features like directory authentication, secure fax holding until credential entry, and role-based access control for multi-user environments ensure data and document security. An integrated NFC card reader adds another layer of security, enabling badge authentication for print job release in secure environments.
Cost-Effective Operation Over Time
Operating costs are a crucial factor in printer ownership. When utilizing super-high-yield toner cartridges, the MFC-L3780CDW offers competitive per-page costs of approximately 2.5¢ for black printing and 12.9¢ for color. These costs are lower than those of the HP 3301fdw and on par with the black-printing costs of Brother’s monochrome models. While the initial investment for super-high-yield cartridges is significant, opting for these cartridges leads to long-term cost savings through reduced per-page expenses. Lower-capacity high-yield and standard-yield cartridges are available at lower upfront costs but result in higher per-print expenses.
User-Friendly Interface with a Minor Design Flaw
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW features a color touchscreen interface that is generally user-friendly and more intuitive than many competing models. However, a minor design flaw exists: the black-background footer on the touchscreen can be difficult to see for users with limited vision, unlike the monochrome Brother MFC-L2900DW which has a more accessible interface.
Warranty Considerations
Brother provides a one-year warranty for the MFC-L3780CDW, which is shorter than some competitors in this class. Canon, for example, offers a three-year warranty on its home-office machines, and HP includes on-site service within one business day in its one-year warranty. However, Brother offers extended warranty options for purchase, providing coverage for repairs or replacement units, adding peace of mind for long-term ownership.
Conclusion: A Powerful Laser Printer with Scanner for Demanding Users
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a highly capable laser printer with scanner that delivers on speed, print quality, and robust features for small businesses and home offices. While its scan quality may not match top inkjet models, its strengths in speed, durability, security, and cost-effective operation make it an excellent upgrade choice for users who prioritize laser printing technology and require reliable all-in-one functionality. If you need a workhorse printer and scanner that can keep up with a fast-paced environment, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a strong contender.
