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Brother MFC-490CW

Brother MFC-490CW
Brother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CWBrother MFC-490CW
alaScore 85

507 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 507 reviews of Brother MFC-490CW. The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Opinions about the size and design are on the whole positive. The price and performance also get good reviews. Some have doubts about the ink consumption and durability.

usability, performance, price, design, size

paper handling, durability, ink consumption

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Brother MFC-490CW is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 507 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (44% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (37% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (76%)Show negative (24%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (72%)Show negative (28%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (61%)Show negative (39%)(Show all)
paper handling
  Show positive (19%)Show negative (81%)(Show all)
noise
  Show positive (59%)Show negative (41%)(Show all)
print quality
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
multifunction
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (42%)Show negative (58%)(Show all)
connectivity
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
control panel
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
ink consumption
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 261 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 49 of 261 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (245)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Brother MFC-490CW

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 35 user reviews of Brother MFC-490CW from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the design and performance. The multifunction and price also get good feedback. Some have doubts about the size, and there are some mixed reviews about the reliability.

usability, price, multifunction, performance, design

size

91% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Brother MFC-490CW

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 4 user reviews of Brother MFC-490CW from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 2.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.8/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the price.

price

50% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Justin Yu (cnet.com)

Brother MFC-490CW review: Brother MFC-490CW

 

Brother MFC-490CW

Triple-interface connectivity includes USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet LAN; inexpensive; small and stylish.

Taxing print head produces slow-moving prints; suffers the same mechanical errors affecting other Brother printers; photo quality can use improvement.

The Brother MFC-490CW is an improvement over the more expensive MFC-5890CN, but that still doesn't excuse its drudging print speeds and mechanical issues under the hood. Instead of dealing with these headaches, we recommend you look toward the Canon...

Jul, 2009
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Expert review by : James Hutchinson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Brother MFC-490CW

 

The Brother MFC-490CW inkjet multifunction offers both wired and wireless networking for a reasonable price.

Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, good colour accuracy

No automatic duplex, poor print speeds, photo paper tray isn't motorised

The Brother MFC-490CW offers good colour accuracy, but it delivers poor print speeds and has issues with text clarity.

Feb, 2009
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Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Brother MFC-490CW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet

 

This all-in-one bundles plenty of features into an attractive and affordable package.

Feb, 2011
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Expert review by : Justin Yu (cnet.com.au)

Brother MFC-490CW review: Brother MFC-490CW

 

Brother MFC-490CW

Triple-interface connectivity includes USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet LAN; inexpensive; small and stylish.

Taxing print head produces slow-moving prints; suffers the same mechanical errors affecting other Brother printers; photo quality can use improvement.

The Brother MFC-490CW is an improvement over the more expensive MFC-5890CN, but that still doesn't excuse its drudging print speeds and mechanical issues under the hood. Instead of dealing with these headaches, we recommend you look toward the Canon...

Jul, 2009
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Expert review by : Jayesh Limaye (techtree.com)

Brother MFC-490CW

 

This WiFi enabled photo MFD is suitable for home as well as for office

Good print quality in normal mode, fast print speeds in fast mode, decent scanner, wide color swivel LCD, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, decent looks, good bundled software

Skewed text prints in the fast mode, reddish hue in photo prints, no FAX, no Wi-Fi on/off button/indicator, a bit expensive

Feb, 2010
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Expert review by : Simon Williams (macuser.co.uk)

Brother MFC-490CW

 

It can be quite hard to tell the difference between Brother's all-in-one devices. So many of them have similar designs, with curved tops that get steeper towards the front, where the control panel is located. The grey-and-black MFC-490CW looks a little...

The Brother MFC-490CW has the virtue of packing a lot into a comparatively small footprint device. You've got an automatic document feeder, memory card slots, wireless connection, fax and a convenient widescreen LCD display. What you don't get is fast...

May, 2009
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Consumer review (cnet.com)

"Dont buy this piece of crap!"

 

Bought this used from ebay. Seller said it was checked and printed. $50...ok. Sooo, I get the printer, cannot print b/c 2 ink cart. are out. Go buy Brother's ink...another $22 Replaced ink, printer wont print, cleaned carts. aligned, will only print a...

wireless EZ setup

Everything else!

Apr, 2012
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Consumer review (cnet.com)

Use minimal, paper-jam maximal.

 

Too may working parts which jammed repeatedly; this machine lasted for approximately 20 or so prints (A4 pages) and then seemingly gave up the ghost, which would have been fine, if I'd been typing creepy stories!

Whilst working, scanner worked well and the black ink print was fine

Mechanically flawed.

Feb, 2012
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Consumer review (cnet.com)

"Use minimal, paper-jam maximal."

 

Too may working parts which jammed repeatedly; this machine lasted for approximately 20 or so prints (A4 pages) and then seemingly gave up the ghost, which would have been fine, if I'd been typing creepy stories!

Whilst working, scanner worked well and the black ink print was fine

Mechanically flawed.

Feb, 2012
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Consumer review (newegg.com)

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE INK!

 

My REAL complaint is Brothers attempt to hold your printing queue hostage until you buy more ink. My black cartridge is "empty" so it will not print ANYTHING. Not even faded prints. I removed the cartridge and inspected it, what a surprise, there IS...

Smaller than most All In One Multifunction units, nice design, cool LCD, easy set-up

Will not print once ONE ink cartridge is low, paper tray is weak, hard to adjust and shabby feeling, could hold more paper

Jan, 2010
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Price comparison for Brother MFC-490CW

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