Brother HL-2230 Toner Cartridges

Brother HL-2230 Printer Review

The Brother HL-2230 is a personal laser printer that offers a compact, entry-level design for simplicity, and its speeds of up to 24 pages per minute for monochrome projects are quick enough to support moderate home use. While it doesn't add anything new to its class of monochrome printers, the HL-2230 uses affordable toners and is a reliable unit to have around the house for basic printing needs.

This space-saving printer has a compact size of 14x14x7 inches that will sit on a majority of desktops without getting in the way. One of the tradeoffs of its small size is limited media handling, which includes a single 250-sheet input tray and a single-slot bypass feed. A minimal paper capacity and recommended monthly duty cycle of 2,000 pages make it a nice fit for small volume use.

The device's basic design feels nearly archaic with its lack of an LCD or front panel for control features. The software provides most of the functionality instead. Users can conserve Brother HL-2230 printer toner by utilizing the toner save mode. The unit has a single USB port that can connect to a user's PC with a cable. The printer driver is compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems.

The machine comes with a starter, 700-sheet Brother HL-2230 toner cartridge that can print at a maximum resolution of 2400x600 dpi. The standard replacement supply can yield a maximum of 1,200 pages, but users can also purchase a high-capacity Brother HL-2230 toner cartridge that can last for up to 2,600 pages. To keep printing costs low, users can find compatible supplies that are more affordable than OEM replacements.

Even given its affordable price tag, the HL-2230's design falls a little short of expectations. The device does benefit from a compact design and solid speeds, but its bare-bones package of features will have many buyers seeking out other models.