Comparative Test of 8 MFCs with Fax: A look inside
If you want to install ink-cartridges or printheads, fix a paperjam, or connect a USB- or network-cable, you have to get into the printer. Since the scanner is on top of it, that´s, depending on the construction of the device, not so easy.
The pictures below show all contestants with open cover.
Brother MFC-5860CN and MFC-845CW
Brother´s MFCs can be opened easily. And you have to do that just in case you want to connect a USB- or network-cable. Cartriges are installed from the frontside.
Brother MFC-845CW: Cover needs to be opened only to connect USB-cable - cartridges are exchanged on the frontside.
Canon Pixma MP830
Opening the Canon is easy as well. Closing is cushioned by two shock absorbers, so the cover will not thud on the printer. The print-head carriage moves into the exchange-position, when you open the printer. The ink-cartridges are easily accessible.
Epson Stylus DX7000F
The Epson´s cover can be opened and closed with almost no effort. There is no sensor to tell the printer whether the cover is open or not, so the ink-cartridges stay, where they are. You have to use the menu or the driver to move the print-head carriage into an exchange position.
HP Officejet J5780 and HP Officejet Pro L7580
HP´s Officejet J5780 has small ink-cartriges with a single-use printhead. To exchange them is easy. The Officejet Pro L7580 offers an excellent solution to get to the four cartridges: Just open a cover on the front side, that´s all. The printer´s cover has to be opened only once to insert the print-head.
Kodak Easyshare 5300
Kodak´s printer-cover is open with one simple move. When at the top it locks in place. To close the cover you need some force, but watch your fingers, it comes down rapidly and undamped. An exchange of cartridges is an easy task.
Lexmark X9350
Lexmark´s X9350 opens much easier than its predecessors. A single motion, that´s all. You have sufficient room for an exchange of cartridges.
