Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

NEW Reviews Beta Feedback

Get Printers updates
  • Print

Brother HL-2040

79

Good
  • Pros
  • Competitively priced
  • Cons
  • Modest output quality

User Reviews for Brother HL-2040

  • Reviewed by: Toddster63

    Duration of ownership: 3 Months

    Strengths: Great Value and great design and great quality output. The manual paper feeder makes it easy to print envelopes and business cards in limited quantities for home users and very small offices.

    Weaknesses: Does curl paper a little, and though the manual paper feeder works well, it can print a little askew on envelopes (but not too terribly bad)

    Overall Evaluation: I bought this unit as most users rated it well on various Net sites, and I really liked the design--it looks like a miniaturized laser printer, and not a hybrid laser/inkjet with the feed paper jetting out (and getting exposed to dirt and dust). The integrated paper drawer was a big plus for me! I've found the text output fabulous--as good as any laser I've seen. Graphics and photos are okay for personal use, and since that's what this printer is made and marketed for, this unit should serve single users on a personal level quite well. The only problem is the paper curling, but it's not THAT big of an issue, particularly for letter and correspondence that will be folded in the end. I've found the manual paper feed very adequate and up for the job, though envelopes sometimes print out a little askew. Overall for around $100 I'm thrilled with this printer, and so happy to be free of the constant expense of pricey inkjet refills for text and letters I need to print.

  • Reviewed by: sueite

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Cheap. Efficient. Regular printing is a snap.

    Weaknesses: Feed tray / manual feed has a weird design and feels cheap.Must manually feed envelopes and cardstock one at a time. Double sided / cardstock printing will often produce a ghost (double) image.

    Overall Evaluation: For the money, this machine gets the job done and does a fine job printing for most print jobs. However, the design is really strange when it comes to the way it feeds paper. You have to have paper in there permanently. The tray feels cheap, doesn't always grab the paper right, and it swirls the paper around like crazy through the machine before coming out. The paper comes out too curved and hot to flip right away. This design makes double sided printing a real pain. Manual feed is just a slot that doesn't always realize you're holding paper in there for it to take. It just keeps saying the printer doesn't have paper. Sometimes you get lucky if you jiggle it in there right. Cardstock must be manually fed one piece at a time. There are ambiguous printer settings for paper type and print options. I found that for double sided and cardstock printing, the machine would often jam and sometimes text would "ghost" giving you a double image. It didn't make my huge batch of cards and envelopes for my wedding guest list simple at all....However, I would say for most people that are just printing out essays for college or something, you won't even think about problems with this printer. It's great for simple, cheap, plain paper, single-sided jobs.

  • Reviewed by: KrystyAnn

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Cheap & easy to use, good print quality, small.

    Weaknesses: none yet.

    Overall Evaluation: Easy to set up. Printed the first page within 5 minutes of opening the box. Fast and quiet compaired to the last laser I owned. I would buy this printer again for home use.

  • Reviewed by: toddster63

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Great Value and great design and great quality output. The manual paper feeder makes it easy to print envelopes and business cards in limited quantities for home users and very small offices.

    Weaknesses: Does curl paper a little, and though the manual paper feeder works well, it can print a little askew on envelopes (but not too terribly bad)

    Overall Evaluation: I bought this unit as most users rated it well on various Net sites, and I really liked the design--it looks like a miniaturized laser printer, and not a hybrid laser/inkjet with the feed paper jetting out (and getting exposed to dirt and dust). The integrated paper drawer was a big plus for me!Besides looking great, this printer is sooo SMALL...I've found the text output fabulous--as good as any laser I've seen. Graphics and photos are okay for personal use, and since that's what this printer is made and marketed for, this unit should serve single users on a personal level quite well.It also works fast--waking from sleep within 2 seconds after I press PRINT, and giving me the first print out in within 12-15 seconds. I have experienced none of the power surge issues a few others have mentioned with this unit--I think this must be an issue regarding individual electrical wiring within homes/offices (as my apartment is old and has had issues with some other appliances, but NOT with this Brother printer)...?The only problem is the paper curling, but it's not THAT big of an issue, particularly for letter and correspondence that will be folded in the end.I've found the manual paper feed very adequate and up for the job, though envelopes sometimes print out a little askew.Overall for around $100 I'm thrilled with this printer, and so happy to be free of the constant expense of pricey inkjet refills for text and letters I need to print.

  • Reviewed by: naru1

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: good quality prints, quick printing, low noise, acceptable paper capacity, small footspace, price, software

    Weaknesses: POWER CONSUMPSION! must manual feed for non 8.5x11 paper size, manual and confusing 2-sided printing, slight paper-curling

    Overall Evaluation: Comparing the HL-2040 to similarly priced black and white laser printers (like the Samsung ML-2010 and Konica Minolta PagePro 1350W), this is one exceptional printer.Printed text comes out clear and crisp even at small fonts. It takes about 11-15 seconds for the first page to finish printing from a "cold" print, which I find above average compared to other printers.Unlike other similarly priced laser printers, this one prints graphics very well with minimal banding but only after tinkering with some software settings. I found the toner-saver function was too conservative with graphics though: even dark shades of grey would come out near-white. Text is fine though.Installation took less than 10 minutes on Windows XP with clear instructions. I wish I could comment on the support for this printer, but I never found a reason to call.The noise while printing was high though not quite as high as the Samsung ML-2010. Still, it's noisy enough to wake a roommate if you decide to print in the middle of the night in your dorm.The only major gripe I have about this printer is unintuitive way the paper is printed. It seems the page is turned twice before printing. This may be difficult if you frequently print on both sides or recycle paper by printing on the other side of old documents.With no network capability and unupgradable 8 MB memory, this printer will serve well anyone seeking fast, occassional printing of small to medium jobs.Recommended for: students, small officeNot recommened for: those who print a lot of envelopes or legal sized paper (must manual feed), those who frequently print graphics, medium to large officesUPDATE: There is a slight paper-curling problem with this printer; however, leaving the paper to cool for a few seconds will normally resolve this.ALSO, THIS PRINTER TENDS TO DRAW MORE WATTAGE WHILE WARMING UP. BROTHER'S WEBSITE ATTRIBUTES THIS TO THE FAST WAKE-UP PROCESS. BECAUSE OF THIS, LIGHTS TEND TO FLICKER. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED YOU PLUG THIS PRINTER ON THE SAME CIRCUIT AS OTHER DEVICES THAT DRAW A LOT OF POWER AND LEAVE THIS DEVICE OFF WHEN NOT IN USE.As a consequence, I will lower my rating from 5 stars to 3 stars.

  • Reviewed by: RonShepherd

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Great printing at a great price. Small footprint and quiet operation. Center single sheet feed.

    Weaknesses: The only weakness I find is that the single sheet feed is a little difficult to use. It is not easy to align the sheets with the quides with no positive indication the sheet is gripped properly.

    Overall Evaluation: This little printer is a great bargain. It prints really clear and crisp on regular paper. It is fast and quiet. I needed a printer with a single sheet feed and this one has that. I print envelopes through there and wallet sized checks. When they line up properly it prints beautifully. I read several complaints that it curls the paper too much. I do not find this to be a problem. I highly recommend this printer.

What You Should Know about the HL-2040

Installed Memory is Ideal for Five or Fewer Users

This printer's installed memory is sufficient for small offices or workgroups that print typical business documents, such as memos, spreadsheets, or simple Web pages. If you have more than six people using the printer or the printer handles heavy traffic, you will want more memory than this printer provides.

Read More »

Similar Printers

Latest Printers Playing in PCW Video

More Latest Printers Playing in PCW Video »

Latest Printers News, Reviews, How-To's

  • Internet-connected Printers While printers are important hardware devices, they really aren't all that exciting, and it's getting more difficult to figure out what makes each printer stand...
  • Get Better Prints No matter how much you enjoy taking digital photos and sharing them electronically, there's something special about photos that you hold in your hand. These...
  • Solve Inkjet Printer Problems Blurry details. Strange color. Unsightly blotches. Getting the best prints from your inkjet printer can be tricky. Most printers will warn you when ink levels...
  • HP Printer Connects Directly to the Web HP's Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web All-in-One Printer can print news stories and directions directly from Web sites, but the execution could use more polish.
  • Printing 35mm Slide Scans When you scan and reprint photographs, chances are you'll retain their original size or only make modest adjustments. But when you scan, or order high resolution...

Best Prices on Ink & Toner

See all Ink & Toner

Best Prices on Paper

See all Paper