Product Features
2,400 x 600 dpi maximum print resolution
Up to 21 ppm print speed; manual duplexing
133 MHz processor, 16 MB RAM, expandable to 144 MB
Parallel and USB 2.0 interfaces, optional Ethernet and wireless
PC, Mac, and Linux compatible

Until a few years ago when I was talking about inkjet printers, I had no doubt that HP was the brand to which I referred at once, thanks to the quality, compatibility and inexpensiveness of its products. In recent years, however, the field of inkjet printers are so many products on the market that offer good performance and affordable, to the point now that if I were to choose an ink jet printer I have some difficulty deciding on the brand and the model to purchase.
Not so however for laser printers. In fact ever since I started working in the computer field, for me Brother laser printer for excellence! I've personally have never purchased a (usually laser I've always had in the office), but every time I have been offered to change printer I've always made sure that this was Brother which I believe is synonymous with quality and reliability .
The Brother HL-5140 printer, laser, is that right now is very impressive on my desk. And after more than a year of use are clearly satisfied.
Let us see in detail ..

:: BEAUTY ::
Maybe the aesthetic point of view is the only negative factor in part of this hardware, even if in fact it is very subjective. I do not mind for the office, but much also depends on the context in which it is inserted. In fact, the printer looks quite simple in its line, a characteristic quite common at this sub-products, one that perhaps can be annoying is the size as the footprint is large (a square of about 38x38 cm high and 25). But all things considered, you watch and you do not have too many problems in this problem area will be marginal.

::INDEPENDENCE::
Strong point of the Brother HL-5140, as well as other similar models of the same line (HL-5 ***), is the substantial autonomy of the toner and drum, which, although expensive, can be used for a large number of pages . Plus you can optimize the cost depending on the number of pages that are presumed to print, are in fact available toner for 3500 pages or 6700. If you print a lot agrees to buy the toner 6700 pages (about 120 Euro), otherwise it is better to stay on that by 3500 (about 75 Euro) since if not using the toner tends to solidify due to moisture and there is risk of having to throw early.
The drum (or drum), however, according to the manufacturer guarantees autonomy for about 20000 pages (at a cost of about $ 150) and I must say that this figure is very close to the actual wear.

:: INTERFACES ::
The printer has both parallel and USB interface. In itself seems a bit 'useless, since now the use of USB is widely distributed and present on almost all computers. But the presence of the parallel, as well as for connecting to older computers, may be useful to connect two PCs to the printer without using switches or have them online (to make the sharing of the printer itself). In the office we have done so and is very convenient for us because, although the network clients, you must turn them on.

:: QUALITY OF PRINTING ::
In terms of print quality is excellent and remains excellent until the toner is not quite empty. I often used in critical condition (lamp lit by the toner days) and has always given me beautiful prints black to the end.
The resolution is good for the type of use to which the printer is designed: 2400x600 dpi.

:: OTHER COMMENTS ::
Overall, the Brother HL-5140 is an excellent printer, but superseded by later models of the 52xx series (but is still on the market). It 'a bit' noisy when starting the press, but perfectly silent when in standby mode. The speed is excellent in relation to the price range which it belongs, we speak of more than 20 pages per minute that is a very respectable performance.
Paper jam occurs rarely, usually happens when I use recycled paper that has already been printed on one side and left there for maybe days. It 'important, in fact, that the paper does not take moisture to prevent the sheets are "sticking" together with the risk that the roll shots into multiple worksheets simultaneously.
The loading system is the classic paper drawer (where you can easily load about 200 sheets), but there is a small door in front of it is to make nutrition handbook.
The printer, like Brother has accustomed us, is compatible with most operating systems. We've found an incompatibility problem with some computers, but on the website of Brother are always present the latest drivers and patches with which we have solved the problem.
Maintenance, finally, is very simple and intuitive. The replacement of toner and the drum is easy and well explained in the manual of the printer on the packaging of spare parts.

:: END ::
Although not so popular on the market, the printer in question is excellent and I recommend it if you find. But I think I can say, without too many scruples, that even greater (52xx series) of the same group should remain undisturbed qualities that distinguish the Brother printers.
Brother HL-5140 is a printer built to last and who does a lot of prints. Perhaps a little 'retro' in terms of aesthetics, a little 'bulky (38x38x25 cm and weighing 10kg), but excellent from the point of view function. Suited to the office, less for the house.
Strongly recommended!