Posted by Mike Photon on 12/29/06 11:32am
Msg #168239

Brother 5280DW

Any opinion about this wireless printer from brother? g/b/u? worth the money?

I have a HL-5050 with optional lower tray. I have had a couple of problems with it and I'm thinking of getting rid of it.
Major issue: It doesn't print each page from the correct paper tray in a mixed paper size document.
Another issue: The printer paper comes out curled - lengthwise.
Another issue: After printing 300+ page doc(countrywide, of course), it just wouldn't go on. I keep getting the red paper light on. After a few hours of cooling down, it works as if nothing had happened. Well.... I need a really reliable one. (This happened only once but, I Haven't printed such big doc on this printer before)
If you have used 5280DW, does it take care of the above issues? or am just I getting more of the same?
Any other similar featured/ similar priced products? (I like the wifi feature, but it's not a must)

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 12/29/06 11:57am
Msg #168242

I have no personal experience with it, but I have a friend who has one and loves it. However, he is not a high volume document person, he just likes to have all the gagets.

Your 5050 sounds like it needs a good cleaning. The paper curling lengthwise is caused by uneven temperature. When you get a new printer, keep it and use it for a backup. I personally use a 5150dn and a 5140 (which are a slightly newer version of yours) and have printed tens of thousands of pages with them and never yet have had an issue. When I refill the toner, I blow them out with compressed air and check for buildup on the rollers. You could also need a drum replacement.

I do have it set up so I can print through wireless, however when it comes to important documents, I like to plug in as the wireless signal can be disrupted by things like cell phones and short wave radio signals even though they operate at a much different frequency.

Reply by Mike Photon on 12/29/06 5:26pm
Msg #168283

After reading all the feedbacks and some research, I'm now inclined to HL-5250DN.
Glen, on that note... what wireless print server do you use? Any recommendations?
Also appreciate any recommendation on where to buy a compatible lower tray LT-5300?
Thanks,
Mike

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/29/06 6:04pm
Msg #168292

i found the best brother prices for printers and trays at:

http://www.adorama.com.

the tray was 1/2 the price than the brother site....

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 12/29/06 9:17pm
Msg #168313

D-Link DPR 1260 It was on sale and seem to work well

I bought it at Cuicuit City. Probably any one you choose will be ok. I let price be my guide.

Reply by Pamela on 12/29/06 2:40pm
Msg #168260

Mike Re: Brother 5280DW

Here are a few consumer reviews on both printers:

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-HL-5050-PPM-Laser-Printer/dp/customer-reviews/B00008AOK8

http://www.pricerunner.com/computing/peripherals/printers/549196/expert-reviews

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16828113010

http://www.amazon.com/5280DW-Wireless-Printer-Network-Duplex/dp/B000E5CYSC/sr=8-1/qid=1167424443/ref=sr_1_1/102-5665743-0626568?ie=UTF8&s=pc


Pam

Reply by David Kral on 12/29/06 4:33pm
Msg #168271

Brother 8820

The Brothers tend to curl paper a bit. They run hotter than the cadillac of the industry HP. However, if you leave the pages sit a few minutes they flatten right back down.

Perhaps yours is an older model. Maybe it curls more.

I have used several Brother printers and helped other people buy them for their businesses. I am a big fan. My Brother 8820 is a workhorse. The occassional jam, but other than than no problems. It is easy to unjam. I tend to use the cheapest paper I can find so perhaps that is the problem.

I have mine on wireless print server that I bougth nearly free on sale at Circuit City. Integrated wireless might be nice, but you pay more and if something goes wrong it is one more reason to throw your printer away. Thus, I like my wireless print server.

I too refill toner cartridges. I am way over due on a new roller, but the ink looks fine so I just keep going.