Brother MFC-6490CW

The Brother MFC-6490CW is a business-class inkjet-based all-in-one machine with scan, copy, print, and fax capabilities.  The biggest feature is the ledger-sized (11x17") flatbed platen, for versatile scanning, copying, and faxing.  Wireless networking is supported, at the 802.11b/g standard.  Large capacity is another big feature here, with dual print trays capable of holding a combined 400 letter-sized pages, as well as a 50-page automatic document feeder.  Print speeds are fast, ranging up to 35 pages per minute, with a maximum colour print resolution of 6000x1200 dpi.  Direct photo printing is supported, using PictBridge-compatible USB devices and flash-memory card slots, and a wide-screen 3.3" LCD colour viewscreen is included for on-machine editing.  Printing uses a four-cartridge ink system, with one black cartridge and individual ink cartridges.  High-yield cartridges are also available.

Where to Buy

Brother MFC-6490CW 1
MSRP$299.99
Release date June, 2008
BrandBrother
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Pros & Cons11
Reviews5
Details
Buy It6
Competitors1
Comments3
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
5 reviews
52
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
1 mixed
2 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
The only low-cost MFC printer capable of doing tabloid printing and scanning.
+4agreedisagree

wonderful value and lots of options
+3agreedisagree

Have numerous fixes for photo print quality and speed and ink problems. Suspect most of the 'cons' published so far result from a relatively cursory use and exploration of the device. Have found that the quality issues are solveable, and new ink technologies can solve virtually all of the reported problems.
+1agreedisagree

Further good stuff about the 6490: using Linux and wireless networking printer works perfectly without needing to load any drivers.
+1agreedisagree

Also the CISS ink system solves the cost problem, as does alternative brand glossy papers when using the programmed print settings.
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
Menu system needs to be fully explored with some test printing done to see all possible results.
+2agreedisagree

speed depends on job, high quality images take (& need) a long time.
+1agreedisagree

Poor paper handling; auto tray selection does not allow use of alternate size paper
+1agreedisagree

slow!
0agreedisagree

dull-colored prints
0agreedisagree

print quality "not good enough for a résumé"
0agreedisagree


4 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!

Details

 

Features

  • Print Speeds:  35ppm black, 28ppm colour
  • Colour Print Resolution:  6000x1200 dpi
  • Wireless 802.11b/g Networking
  • Ledger-Sized Platen
  • Dual Print-Trays (400 page capacity)
  • 50-Page Automatic Document Feeder
  • Connectivity:  USB 2.0, PictBridge USB, Flash Memory Card Slots
  • 3.3" LCD Viewscreen
  • 33.6 Kbps Faxmodem
  • 480-page Fax Memory
  • Replacement Cartridges:  LC61BK Black (450pgs), LC61C Cyan (325pgs), LC61M Magenta (325pgs), LC61Y Yellow (325pgs), LC65BK High-Yield Black (900pgs), LC65C High-Yield Cyan (700pgs), LC65M High-Yield Magenta (700pgs), LC65Y High-Yield Yellow (700pgs)
  • Warranty:  Two Year Limited Exchang


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This report was started August 11, 2008 at 7:11 pm by TrevorZaple
with the last edit occurring February 23, 2010 at 7:41 pm by gandcross
This page has been viewed 5965 times, with 46 edits by 9 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Brother MFC-6490CW

• Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Color Inkjet Wireless All-in-One Printer

• MFC-6490cw All-In-One Printer

UPC: 012502620549

EAN: 012502620549

MPN: MFC-6490cw

Competitors

Brother MFC-6490CW is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Printers »

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Comments

1.  avatar mikelwee said:

Inexpensive, reliable, all-round, really satisfied with tabloid scanning, printing and faxing - mike wee
Apr 04, 2009 2:04pm
2.  avatar gandcross said:

Manufacturer support is very very slow and unsatisfactory. After 4 hours on the phone, with numerous times being put on hold so they could get further information about my problem, I was finally at 4:58 pm told they were passing me on up the line to another level of tech support, and oh yeah, that department closed at 5:00 pm. I'm rethinking their claim that this is a multifunction machine.
Feb 23, 2010 7:42pm
3.  avatar cland said:

Manufacture support sucks. I called at 8:45 pm EDT and reached a recording that they closed at 9:00 pm - what gives. I went to their web page - where it says "contact us" you cannot - you just get an undending list of irrelevant FAQs.
Feb 23, 2010 7:42pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

mikelwee

avatar
April 4, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
25
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
3 cons
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Comments

"Inexpensive, reliable, all-round, really satisfied with tabloid scanning, printing and faxing - mike wee"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

photops

avatar
August 25, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
71
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
2 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • The only low-cost MFC printer capable of doing tabloid printing and scanning.
  • wonderful value and lots of options
  • Have numerous fixes for photo print quality and speed and ink problems. Suspect most of the 'cons' published so far result from a relatively cursory use and exploration of the device. Have found that the quality issues are solveable, and new ink technologies can solve virtually all of the reported problems.
  • Further good stuff about the 6490: using Linux and wireless networking printer works perfectly without needing to load any drivers.
  • Also the CISS ink system solves the cost problem, as does alternative brand glossy papers when using the programmed print settings.

Cons

  • Menu system needs to be fully explored with some test printing done to see all possible results.
  • speed depends on job, high quality images take (& need) a long time.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

MaxBuck

avatar
August 24, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • The only low-cost MFC printer capable of doing tabloid printing and scanning.
  • wonderful value and lots of options

Cons

  • Menu system needs to be fully explored with some test printing done to see all possible results.
  • Poor paper handling; auto tray selection does not allow use of alternate size paper

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

scriptures4life

avatar
December 28, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
25
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
3 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • The only low-cost MFC printer capable of doing tabloid printing and scanning.

Cons

  • slow!
  • dull-colored prints
  • print quality "not good enough for a r?sum?"

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

cland

avatar
September 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • The only low-cost MFC printer capable of doing tabloid printing and scanning.
  • wonderful value and lots of options

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Comments

"Manufacture support sucks. I called at 8:45 pm EDT and reached a recording that they closed at 9:00 pm - what gives. I went to their web page - where it says "contact us" you cannot - you just get an undending list of irrelevant FAQs."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

MFC, 6490, CW, MFC6490, 6490CW, MFC6490CW