Network-ready and integrated with direct printing features, the Brother DCP-540CN can be a good choice for home users looking for a multifunction inkjet printer. A small office can also enjoy the features of this compact device, but it may not be the best choice in terms of speed and because of its poor build.
Design
The Brother DCP-540CN is a 4-in-1 device with a copier, PhotoCapture Center, and a scanner built around a colour inkjet printer. It is network-ready and is suitable for printer sharing. There is a 2-inch colour LCD screen for previewing photos located on the centre of the control panel. The flatbed scanner is on top of the 8-kg device. The entire machine measures 39.8cm wide, 18cm tall, and 37cm deep.
Advantages
Users found it easy to set-up the Brother DCP-540CN. Instructions can be viewed on the 2-inch colour display, helping users set up the Ethernet and USB ports and install inks. Its direct-printing capability (via PictBridge) is a huge plus; it is possible to print from memory cards as well as digital cameras. The Brother DCP 540CN can easily be integrated into a network. Users can save money on inks with the 4-tank cartridge system, and borderless printing is supported.
Disadvantages
The design of the Brother DCP540CN is a let-down; it feels flimsy and doesn't look like it will last long. It is difficult to use the photo tray, which cannot feed 4x6pinch photo paper properly. Print speed is also a huge drawback when it comes to the Brother DCP-540CN. Printing text or pictures in high resolution is really slow at only 1.5 ppm; if you switch to draft mode in favour of speed, print quality declines. The location of the USB and Ethernet ports is obstructed by the scanner. The scanner is also slow and output looks poor.
