Brother HL-2035 Mono Laser Printer Review

As a front loading mono laser printer the HL-2035 provides slick paper handling and job processing. The paper tray has a 240 sheet capacity and is fully covered, thus minimizing mis-feeds and paper jams. Paper handling via the enclosed feeder tray also makes the printer more attractive, with no protruding parts, and as a result makes it a flexible unit to position and maneuver for use. This is a nice touch for such a low cost printer. The toner unit slot is again front loaded, and easy to operate, with simple ‘drop and click in place’ installation.

As simple and effective a mono laser printer as I have seen in a long time, the HL-2035 delivers immaculate copy (with capability up to 2400 x 600 dpi), making it perfect for simple document management and office based print job requirements, especially where there is a dependency on quick fire text based printing. It flawlessly reproduces during large print jobs, taking around 8 seconds to process the first page in a series/job queue, and in my experience I have yet to see a unit fail due to paper jam or mis-feed. The software and printer setup allow you to print off a quick draft copy at low dpi, and produce exceptional printing when options are set for the highest quality.

The HL-2035 delivers quality mixed content prints at approximately 17 ppm, and 20 ppm of heavy text content, making it a best in class entry for speed at its price. For a printer in the budget range (which tends to be a range synonymous with exorbitant consumable/running costs) the HL-2035 costs only 2.3 cents per sheet, which again is excellent.

Other than its rather bland and somewhat dated ‘blocky’ look, I only have a couple of minor gripes with the Brother HL-2035, and neither can really be justified, such is its excellent unit price.

First, the printer does not have an integrated LCD display, which will put off some potential buyers, but this is more personal taste than a generic hindrance, as the HL-2035 isn’t a network printer, nor advanced in specification, thus making an LCD a moot point in my opinion. While it does lack an LCD, the HL-2035 has four LEDs which communicate job processing and troubleshoot when attention is required. Second, be aware that the printer itself has a life of around 12,000 pages of output, at which point the manufacturer recommends changing the drum, and for such a budget level printer this is not really cost effective- as a drum alone will cost as much as a new HL-2035 printer.

The HL-2035 comes with a one year on site warranty from the manufacturer.

In all, for anyone with mono laser printing requirements, the HL-2035 is an outstanding new printer model. Print quality, speed and reliability are most impressive. It certainly will not leave you hanging around waiting for jobs to process and at a price of around $100.00, the Brother HL-2035 is excellent value for money. For price to performance, this is one of the best budget mono laser printers on the market today.