Brother MFC-L8970CDW: 1,200dpi duplex scanner, high cost

Brother’s MFC-L8970CDW is a color laser multifunction printer aimed at workgroups and small businesses. The unit pairs a large color touchscreen and a 1,200dpi single-pass duplex scanner with a color laser print engine rated at up to 31 pages per minute.

Key hardware includes an 80-sheet automatic document feeder that scans both sides in one pass, a 50-sheet multipurpose tray and a 250-sheet main cassette. Paper capacity can be expanded to a maximum of 1,340 pages with optional 250- and 520-sheet trays. The unit does not include a stapler or sorter. Brother specifies a recommended monthly print volume of 7,500 pages and a maximum of 80,000 pages.

Connectivity options are 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet and NFC for user authentication. The device supports security features such as IP filtering, SSL/TLS encryption, secure boot and user authentication. The touchscreen can store up to 64 configurable shortcuts.

Independent testing recorded mixed speed results. A 25-page black text job measured 23.8ppm, while a 50-page text run reached 30.3ppm. A color graphics test measured about 21.5ppm. Duplex output was listed at 20 images per minute; a short duplex test produced about 10.9 images per minute on the first 10 pages. The printer produced a first page from standby in about 18 seconds.

Copy performance included single-page black copies in 13 seconds and color copies in 15 seconds from a cold start. A 10-page simplex copy via the ADF completed in 32 seconds. Scanning performance was faster: an A4 preview in five seconds, a 150dpi scan in six seconds, a 300dpi scan in 10 seconds, a 600dpi photo scan in 13 seconds and a 1,200dpi scan in about 52 seconds. Test scans showed a wide dynamic range and sharp focus suitable for document archiving and higher-resolution photos.

Output quality showed crisp text and generally strong color graphics with controlled shade transitions. Tests identified a cool color bias that can render some photos and lighter skin tones slightly pale. Photocopies exhibited murky blacks in darker areas where detail was lost; color copies did not show the same issue.

Consumables require management: the MFC-L8970CDW accepts up to 16 different toner SKUs rated between 1,800 and 10,000 pages, along with separate drums and waste toner containers rated around 50,000 pages. Heavily used installations may also need fuser or transfer belt replacements over time. The unit ships with XXL inbox toners rated at 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages. Using the largest toners, running costs were calculated at under £0.01 per black page and about 6.8 pence per color page excluding VAT; including lifetime consumables raised those figures only marginally.

The printer measures about 460 x 454 x 505 mm and weighs 26.7 kg, requiring two people to move it safely. Design details include a deep, narrow chassis paired with a wide scanner head, side vents that affect placement and a USB port located beneath the overhanging touchscreen. Setup and shortcut creation are handled through the touchscreen interface.

The MFC-L8970CDW shares its print engine with lower-priced models but carries a premium for the larger screen and advanced scanner. The unit ships with a one-year return-to-base warranty. Managed print plans for Brother devices start at approximately £7 per month.