[X4U] Brother 1440 versus Brother 2040 - Reasons?

[Randy B.Singer]

Rod Duncan said:

>And why is the original 1440 so superior to the more recent 2050. 
>Sorry if you have already answered this but I didn't see anywhere the 
>specifics of one versus the other.

The HL-2040 is a toy compared to the HL-1440, even though they both sell 
new for about the same price.

The HL-2040 comes with 8MB of memory, which isn't upgradeable.  If you 
print complex PDF's, large graphics, etc., this printer may not have 
enough memory, or it may take a long time to print. 

The HL-1440 comes with 2MB of memory that you can upgrade to 34MB for as 
little as $9 (US).  With it's memory maxed out, I've yet to throw a print 
job at my 1440 that it couldn't or didn't spit out in seconds.

The 2040 is a GDI printer.  Typically a printer based on GDI (sometimes 
also known as a "WinPrinter") is slow compared to printers using other 
printer languages, and sometimes GDI printers choke on sophisticated 
documents.  (The 1440 is a PCL printer.)  See:
http://www.prepressure.com/ps/whatis/PSalternatives.htm

When I spoke with the Brother rep at Macworld Expo she was almost 
apologetic about the HL-2040 replacing the HL-1440.  The 2040 is a 
printer meant for unsophisticated home users and it has been designed to 
meet a price point.  If your printing needs are very moderate, it might 
be fine.  But the HL-1440 is a far better value.

<http://www.brother-usa.com/printer/printer_detail_AREA=PRINTER_1&PRODUCTID
=HL2040.aspx>

<http://www.brother-usa.com/printer/printer_detail.aspx?AREA=PRINTER_2&PROD
UCTID=HL1440>

If you can only get a good deal on a current Brother printer model, you 
might instead have a look at the HL-5140, which is a dynamite printer, 
but it is in a different price range than the 2040 and 1440. 

<http://www.brother-usa.com/printer/printer_detail_AREA=PRINTER_1&PRODUCTID
=HL5140.aspx>

You can get one that is refurbished for $140 (US):
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=808&item=P25664

Or brand new for $165 (US):
<http://www.provantage.com/buy-7brtl01a-hl-5140-black-white-laser-printer-b
rother-printers-shopping.htm>



Randy B. Singer
Co-Author of: The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th and 6th editions)

Routine OS X Maintenance and Generic Troubleshooting
http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html