BROTHER MFC-8500
Multi-function laser printer
Average User Rating: 
Advantages: Windows users love this 5-in-1 commercial laser printer.
Reduce/enlarge from 50% to 200%. Output is a somewhat on the dark side, great
for text. Has callwaiting, caller id and distinctive ring features. Uses only
10 watts of power in sleep mode. Has 3 modes for copy quality.
Drawbacks:
Windows XP users: Windows XP users will have to go to Brother's website to
download the printer software. The included scanner software is not made for
Windows XP. Instead use XP's included scanner software for B&W scans.
Color scans will not be possible in XP. Scans above 600 x 600 are troublesome.
Do not try to use the included Brother fax software, use XP's built-in fax
function instead. Paperport and TextBridge OCR are not supported in XP.
Only does 99 copies at a time.
No RJ-45 ethernet port.
Double-sided copying is not automatic.
Prints somewhat on the dark side, great for text, less great for pictures.
Paper curls somewhat.
With Windows XP, Brother’s PC fax feature will not work, you must use
the XP version
Mac users cannot use the parallel port, use the USB port instead.
NT Workstation 4.0 users cannot use the USB port, use the parallel port instead.
Mac OS 8.6 - 9.2 can use the printing, PC Fax (send only), and scanning functions,
but the "scan to" key will not work.
Mac OS 8.5 - 8.51 can use the printing and PC Fax (send only) functions. Scan
function will not work.
Mac OS X v. 10/10.1 can use the printing function only.
Features:
30 page Auto Document Feed
14.4K bps Fax Modem
Universal 250 Sheet Paper Capacity
8MB Memory stores up to 500 pages*
Dual Access and Super Quick Scan
Multi-Copying up to 99 copies plus sorting, enlargement and reduction
Broadcasting (up to 166 locations)
Up to 9600 x 9600 dpi (interpolated) scanning resolution (max. 600x600 dpi
scanning with Windows®XP)
PC Faxing
FAX
30 page Auto Document Feeder
8MB memory stores up to 500 pages*
14.4K bps high-speed fax modem
Super Quick Scan - up to 2 seconds per page
Dual Access
Broadcasting (up to 166 locations)
116 station auto dialing
Call Waiting/Caller ID and Distinctive Ring Detection ready**
Fax forwarding, paging and remote retrieval
Includes special offer from CallManage that provides "One-Touch"
access to Internet calling and faxing
*Using ITU-T Test Chart #1 at Standard Resolution in error correction mode
**Check with local phone company for availability of these services.
Requires change of carrier to CallManage, Inc. This feature may not be available
in some parts of the USA. Brother International Corp. is not responsible for
long distance services or customer billing. See complete terms and conditions
inside Owner's Manual.
LASER PRINTER
Up to 15 page per minute laser printing
True 600 x 600 dpi laser output
Universal 250 sheet paper capacity
Windows® 95, 98/98SE, Me, 2000 Professional, NT® Workstation 4.0,
XP, Mac OS 8.5-OS X v. 10/10.1
Parallel and USB interfaces standard
COPIER
Up to 15 cpm copy speed
600 x 600 dpi copy output
Multi-copying up to 99 pages, with sorting
Reduce or enlarge 50%-200%
SCANNER
Up to 9600 x 9600 dpi (interpolated) resolution*
Up to 300 x 600 dpi optical resolution
Includes ScanSoftTM PaperPort® and TextBridge® OCR software**
Easy "Scan-to" buttons (Windows only)
Works with Windows® 95, 98/98SE, Me, 2000 Professional, NT® Workstation
4.0, XP, Mac OS 8.6-9.
*Max. 600x600 dpi scanning with Windows®XP.
**ScanSoft and TextBridge functionality not available Windows®XP
PC FAX
Send/receive faxes directly from your PC
(PC fax receiving not available for iMacTM/iBookTM/G3/G4)
Brother PC Fax software included
Broadcasting from your PC
What's in the box?
MFC-8500 Laser Multi-Function Center
Quick Setup Guide
Owner's Manual
Printing Cartridge
Drum Unit
Multi-Function Link Pro Suite
Brother PC-FAX Driver
ScanSoft™ PaperPort®
ScanSoft™ TextBridge® OCR
Specifications:
Approval: FCC & UL
Unit Dimensions: 17.1" (W) x 17.4" (D) x 12.7" (H)
Unit Weight: 26.4 lbs.
UPC Code: 0 12502 56575 8
Printing Method/Speed: Electrophotography / 15 PPM
Compatibility: ITU Group 3
Coding Method: MH/MR/MMR
Modulation: 14400/12000/9600/7200/4800/2400 bps
Transmission Time: 6 seconds (ITU#1 chart) MMR
Total Machine Memory: 8MB
Recording Paper Size: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14"
Scanning/Recording Width: Up to 8.2"
Document Input Size: 5.8" to 8.5"
Print Resolution Standard:
Fine/Photo:
Superfine/Photo: 203 x 98 lines/inch
203 x 196 lines/inch
203 x 392 lines/inch
Gray Scale 64 shades
Dialing System: Tone
Speaker Type: Monitor
Interface (standard): High-Speed Bi-Directional Centronics Parallel &
USB interface (cables not included)
Emulations: Brother Printing Solution for Windows® or iMac™/iBook™/G3/G4,
PCL4
Power Supply: 120V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: Operating (Copying): 350W or less (25°C)
Standby: 70W or less (25°C)
Sleep Mode: 10W or less
Communication Source: Public Switched Telephone Network
Connection Requirements: USOC RJ11C Modular Jack (or equivalent)
Warranty: 1 Year Express Exchange
Computer Platform
Windows® 95, Printing, PC Fax, Scanning, Parallel only
98, 98SE, Printing, PC Fax, Scanning, Parallel/USB
Me, Printing, PC Fax, Scanning, Parallel/USB
NT® Workstation 4.0, Printing, PC Fax, Scanning, Parallel only
2000 Professional, Printing, PC Fax, Scanning, Parallel/USB
XP, Printing(1), PC Fax(3), Scanning(1,4), Parallel/USB
Apple
OS 8.5 - 8.51, Printing, PC Fax (send only), USB only
OS 8.6 - 9.2, Printing, PC Fax (send only), Scanning(2), USB only
OS X v. 10/10.1, Printing only, USB only
1 Driver can be downloaded from http://solutions.brother.com.
2 Dedicated "Scan to" key does not function with Apple®Operating
Systems.
3 Brother PC Fax is not supported. Please use Windows®XP built-in function.
4 PaperPort and TextBridge OCR are not supported.
Please use Windows®XP and Office XP built-in functions, because Windows®XP
restricts scanning resolution to a maximum of 600x600 dpi.
Note: Some models support PC Fax SEND ONLY. Check the Features page for details
for your model.
Printer Reviews Home |
HP Printers
| Epson Printers
| Cannon
Printers