Brother HL-2170W 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless and Wired Network Interfaces
by BROTHER
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Our Price: $305.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $75.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Brother HL-2170W 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless and Wired Network Interfaces
Customer Review: Very nice ..
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this printer to replace a dead Epson inkjet printer, which was connected direct (USB) to our non-wireless capable XP Pro desktop. This desktop is connected to a DLink DGL-4500 wireless router and we run two wireless connected Vista64 laptops. Additionally, we've an wireless HP inkjet (primarily for photos) connected to the network.
This printer is not only our first laser, it's the first Brother product I've ever purchased.
Based upon the reviews here (the great majority favorable to the printer itself, while lamenting the difficulty with it's wireless configuration), I was absolutely committed to "follow the directions for wireless setup .. step by step". I also had went to Brothers support page and downloaded "new" drivers and other apps, having them "ready" for the installation. I'd pre-determined NOT to use the included install CD from the printer package.
However, and as evidence validating the adage, "a blind hog can root-up an ear of corn every once in a while", the install took a detour.
Installing at the desktop, the first thing I did was to make the CAT5 connection between the printer and the router .. great!
Then, despite having the directions open on the desk (and having read over the steps a dozen times) .. I immediately pressed the "wireless connect" (which searches for devices one would like to add to the network) button on the DLink. I then (using an ink-pen .. Brother couldn't have placed/designed it's remote connect "button" worse, unless they'd buried it deep inside the printer) pressed the remote connect button on the printer. They, almost immediately, found one-another and the light on the printer glowed a solid blue .. great!
Then, re-looking at the instructions .. GASP!, I hadn't installed the driver first!!
So, I unzipped and executed the "driver install" file I'd downloaded. I didn't recognize the screens in it, compared to the instructions, and aborted. I then unzipped and executed a "wireless setup" file I'd also downloaded .. same thing, didn't recognize the screens in the book and aborted it. What now?
I shoved the CD into a drive and, there in the "wireless connection" section" I discover a selection identified as, "install printer driver on an already successfully network connected printer" (or some such) .. hot dog! That's me! I selected it and the printer driver was immediately installed .. it's control icon appearing on the XP desktops taskbar.
I then used the same CD (and selection) to install the driver on both of the laptops .. each immediately also becoming printer aware and usable.
From start to finish, the actual install to get 3 boxes working with the printer might have been 20 minutes.
We really like the printer and would (already have) recommend it's purchase to others. Excellent.
Customer Review: Good option for SOHO printing
Summary: 4 Stars
EDIT 8-20-2010: Save more money and buy $8 refill toner bottles from eBay. You can remove the toner cartridge from its chassis and use a pair of needlenose pliers to pull open a small plug on the side. This plug has a piece of tape over it that claims you will void your warranty for removing it. Well, since your cartridge is already empty, you have nothing to lose. Just peel off the label, pop open the plug, pour in the toner, and put the plug back in. Too easy. You just saved $30.
EDIT 8-4-2010: Save yourself some money! When the "no toner" light comes on and you think it's time to replace the toner cartridge, it isn't. Take out the toner cartridge and put small pieces of electrical tape over the two clear windows on either side of the toner cartridge. This will confuse the optical sensors that detect toner level inside the cartridge, and then your printer will start working again. You will know yourself when the toner actually gets low... because your prints will start getting less clear. As long as you keep an extra bottle of toner or a replacement cartridge on hand, it won't cause you any headaches. I did this process over 3 months ago to reactivate my supposedly empty toner cartridge, and it is still printing just fine.
Also, the front feeder tray is no longer working.
I am knocking off 1 star from my review for these issues.
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If you don't need to print in color, this printer is a good choice. I owned a 2070N for a long time, and considered it a great machine that I would keep until its end of life from unrepairable mechanical failure. However, I accidentally dropped it while moving and that turned out to be the end of its life. Since the 2070 had been discontinued, I went straight to the 2170W as a replacement.
Wi-Fi is kind of a gimmick for a home printer, but hey, it's one less wire I have to string. It's a little hard to set up though. Once I got it working, it's very reliable.
I love the front feed paper tray. I am an Ebay seller, and it really helps me to print adhesive FedEx shipping labels. It couldn't be easier: put the label face up in the front feed tray, and it automatically senses that the next print job will get its paper from that source. I just print my label from [...], peel it off, stick it on my package, and leave it for the FedEx man. Saves me tons of time. It's also great for printing envelopes, but I don't do that so much.
I've never been happy with color inkjets. If I need color printing, I go to Kinko's and get it done professionally. If I need photos printed, I go to [...] and have them done professionally. Laser prints, while black and white, are crisp and clear. I can't tell the difference in print quality between this printer and the $2000 one at work.
This is a good option for a SOHO printer.
Customer Review: Good wireless network printing at good price
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good monochrome network laser printer at a good price. The frustration with this printer is in the set up phase. Setting it up was really long and frustrating, but once you know the secret, you'll have no problems. It is so simple, yet so complicated ... .
Another reviewer pointed out -- and I agree -- that as a general rule, it is initially easier to set up a network device using a cable connection. Unfortunately, I was unable to do this at first. I connected directly to the router, but the router didn't see the printer, and the network activity lights on the ethernet port didn't show any activity. This was frustrating. I spent hours and hours attempting different set ups: wired, wireless, all the ways in the manual. Among these was an attempt at "Easy Set-Up" on my Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, which also failed. (Interestingly, the router's Cisco logo, which used to be illuminated, is now no longer illuminated since attempting the Easy Set Up. Why? I have no idea ...). I re-read both the manual and all the different internet posts on this set-up numerous times. The secret is contained in a third reviewer's post.
This worked for me:
1. If you have already attempted an install, UNinstall the drivers. Do this FIRST.
2. Turn off the power to your Brother 2170w.
3. Turn off your Windows Firewall in your security settings (Start>Control Panel>Security Center).
4. Re-set the printer's internal print server!!
- a. Holding down the blue GO button with the power OFF, turn the power on.
- b. Make sure all the LED's illuminate (toner/drum/error)
- c. Release the GO button, then press it seven times in succession
-- i. The manual says that the LEDs should illuminate again, demonstrating the reset was successful
-- ii. My LED's did NOT illuminate again, but the reset was successful anyway
5. Connect the cable between your router and the printer's ethernet port
6. Run the CD
7. Select Wireless Network Setup
8. Select Wireless Setup and Driver Install
- a. initial computer only
- b. for all subsequent computers select Driver Install Only
9. Select Step By Step
10. Select With Cable
11. Make sure that your router detects the printer by illuminating the LED for the selected port when cable connected
12. Look at the ethernet port on the printer and ensure the LED's are illuminated when cable connected
- a. If none of the LEDs are illuminated, go back to resetting the internal print server again (step 4 above)
13. Click Next once your cable is connected until the software detects the Available Wireless Device
14. Follow the rest of the steps from page 23 of the manual (step 10)
When all is done, turn your Windows Firewall back on ...
The printer will work like a charm.
Customer Review: Great laser printer, used amazon reviews for setup
Summary: 4 Stars
Firstly, thanks to all the great reviewers here on Amazon who posted detailed instructions on wireless setup. I used your instructions to setup the printer on my wireless network. That being said, the wireless setup is the only thing keeping me from giving this printer 5 stars. The directions that came with the printer were not very clear, and following them word for word, I was not successful. However, with the help of some exceptional Amazon reviews, everything worked out great; thanks again!
Although setting up the printer on my network was at first difficult, installing drivers on each of the computers in my home was extremely simple-- just pop in the disk, install wireless drivers, the computer automatically finds the printer, and done. The wireless printing itself is fabulous. I can print from any laptop in the home (I often print from around 100-150 feet away), and it prints instantly (no lag due to distance).
Also, one of my concerns before buying this printer was whether or not I would be able to print from both my laptops and PCs. This is because my laptops connect wirelessly to my router, while my PCs connect via Ethernet cables. The laser printer can only be run in one mode (either wireless, or connected directly to one computer via USB cable). Nevertheless, I can print from both PCs (and all the laptops of course) because they utilize the wireless router to connect wirelessly to the printer (again, no lag). (Conclusion: even though my PCs don't have wireless cards, they can connect to the printer while it is in wireless mode through an Ethernet connection to my router).
Print quality itself is great. There is a very noticeable difference in quality/crispness of text between this and my previous inkjet. I have my laser printer set on 600dpi and toner save is on. That being said, my starter cartridge (supposed to run around 800 pages) has put out over 1,600 pages so far and it is still going with no visible decrease in print quality. (Although the printer automatically shuts off after passing a certain number of pages, you can bypass this by covering the sensor on the toner cartridge--there are directions for how to do this in another review here on Amazon titled "Great printer, but programmed to rip you off in toner"). I print almost exclusively letter-sized pages of double-spaced size 12 font. Occasionally, I print full-page images which print as expected at 600dpi. I haven't had the need to print anything at 1200dpi yet.
The printer is not too loud, although it would be nice if it was just a bit quieter.
Overall, this is one of the best purchases I have ever made (purchased about 8 months ago). It is an amazing value for the price; I recommend it to anyone searching for a good home printer (both parents, a high school junior, and a 4th grader use this printer almost constantly at our home).
Customer Review: YES!!!!!--you can move the printer anywhere in the house :)
Summary: 5 Stars
First, thanks to all of those who submitted thorough reviews about this printer--I knew that I (the antithesis of a computer/wireless guru-geek) would have several previous reviews to refer to if I had problems with set-up. Fortunately, I did find that by carefully following the instruction manual worked well for me.
A couple weeks ago I read through all of the 300+ reviews, looking for someone who had tried what I wanted to do with this printer....and forgive me if someone did mention this and I didn't look closely enough.
I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO PRINT WIRELESSLY FROM MY LAPTOP, WHILE I WAS LAYING IN BED OR SITTING ON THE COUCH IN THE MASTER BEDROOM....AND JUST REACH OVER TO THE NEARBY PRINTER IN THE BEDROOM...WITHOUT HAVING TO GET UP, GO DOWNSTAIRS TO MY OFFICE WHERE MY DESKTOP PC, BROTHER MFC, AND QWEST DSL WIRELESS ROUTER ARE....TURN ON THE PRINTER, ETC. ETC. ETC.
So, it seems that the "gamble" paid-off. I actually ordered the Brother HL5370DW, to "save some trees" by taking advantage of the duplex printing.....happened to find it on sale for $185 (until 9/30/09) on another website, got it today, set it up a couple hours ago (using the temporary ethernet cable connection method).......THEN UNPLUGGED THE PRINTER FROM THE POWER STRIP.....CARRIED IT (and the laptop with which I ran the set-up CD-ROM) UP A FLIGHT OF 17 STAIRS, AND PLOPPED-IT-DOWN ON AN END-TABLE IN THE BEDROOM.......THEN PLUGGED IT INTO THE WALL OUTLET, TURNED IT BACK ON, HELD MY BREATH, PULLED-UP A RANDOM MICROSOFT WORD FILE ON THE LAPTOP AND HIT PRINT.
NO SIGNIFICANT DELAY, PRINTED PERFECTLY. SUBSEQUENTLY TRIED "LARGER" AND MORE COMPLEX PRINT JOBS (WITH GRAPHICS, ETC)......NO SIGNIFICANT DELAY, PRINTED PERFECTLY.
So, despite the "small print" statement in the accompanying Owner's Manual, encouraging owners to keep the printer as close as possible to the wireless router (and indicating that transmission problems were possible, especially with significant distance or obstacles/walls between the printer and the router), AT LEAST FOR ME, IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING JUST FINE. For reference, this house is just over 4000 sq.ft., the printer is currently approximately 60 feet (point-to-point, i.e. through the floor and walls) from the router, one floor up, and separated by 3 walls (sheetrock) and the floor/ceiling between the upstairs and main floor.
ANYWAY--I suppose that most people don't want/need to use the printer this way.....BUT, MAYBE THIS INFO WILL HELP ANOTHER LAZY 30-SOMETHING BACHELOR WHO FINDS IT MOST COMFORTABLE TO "LOUNGE" WHILE DOING WORK ON THE COMPUTER, RATHER THAN SITTING AT A DESK IN AN OFFICE CHAIR. PLUS, THIS WAY I CAN SIMULTANEOUSLY WATCH PUJOLS & THE CARDINALS PLAY THE ROCKIES, OR "HOUSE," "NCIS," AND "CRIMINAL MINDS" RERUNS ON THE BIGSCREEN WHILE I 'work'. SWEET.