Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact vs Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color

Design and build quality

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is engineered with a compact footprint designed to fit into small business environments where space may be limited but productivity is key. Its construction focuses on combining a laser printer, scanner, and copier into a single unit. In contrast, the Brother Work Smart 1360 is positioned for home and home office use, emphasizing a compact design suitable for personal workspaces. While both units are multifunction devices, the DCP-L2640DW is built to handle higher volumes associated with business workflows, whereas the Work Smart 1360 prioritizes accessibility for individual users. The physical interface on the Work Smart 1360 includes a 1.8-inch color display, providing visual feedback for navigation, whereas the display specifications for the DCP-L2640DW are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Print technology and output

A fundamental difference between these two models lies in their print technology. The Brother DCP-L2640DW utilizes laser printing technology, which is typically associated with sharp text quality and efficiency for high-volume black and white documents. It is strictly a monochrome device, meaning it produces black and white prints only. The Brother Work Smart 1360, however, is an inkjet printer capable of producing color prints. This makes the Work Smart 1360 more versatile for users who need to print photos or color graphics, while the DCP-L2640DW is optimized for text-heavy document processing. The choice between laser and inkjet often depends on whether the user prioritizes speed and text sharpness or color versatility.

Performance and speed

When evaluating raw performance, the Brother DCP-L2640DW demonstrates a significant advantage in print speed. It is capable of producing documents at speeds up to 36 pages per minute (ppm). This is more than double the speed of the Brother Work Smart 1360, which prints at up to 16 ppm in black and up to 9 ppm in color. For environments where time is critical, such as small businesses processing large batches of documents, the higher ppm rating of the DCP-L2640DW reduces wait times. The Work Smart 1360 offers adequate speed for home tasks but is not engineered for the same level of throughput. The automatic duplex printing feature on the Work Smart 1360 aids in productivity by handling two-sided printing automatically, though the specific duplex capabilities of the DCP-L2640DW are not detailed beyond its general productivity focus.

Scanning and copying features

Both devices function as all-in-one units capable of printing, copying, and scanning. The Brother DCP-L2640DW includes a 50-page auto document feeder (ADF), which allows for convenient, time-saving multi-page scanning and copying without manual page turning. Its scan speeds are rated up to 23.6 ipm for black and 7.9 ipm for color. The Brother Work Smart 1360 includes a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder. While this facilitates multi-page tasks, the capacity is less than half that of the DCP-L2640DW. Users who regularly scan multi-page contracts or reports will find the 50-page capacity of the DCP-L2640DW reduces the frequency of reloading paper. The scanning resolution and specific copy speeds for the Work Smart 1360 are not provided in the data, making direct comparison on those specific metrics difficult.

Connectivity and mobile access

Connectivity options vary between the two models to suit their target audiences. The Brother DCP-L2640DW offers flexible connection options including built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Ethernet. The inclusion of Ethernet allows for a stable wired network connection, which is often preferred in office settings for reliability. It also supports USB interface for local connection. The Brother Work Smart 1360 supports wireless network connections and USB interface but does not list Ethernet connectivity. Both printers support the Brother Mobile Connect app, enabling users to print, scan, and manage the device from a mobile device. The Work Smart 1360 explicitly highlights connections to popular Cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox via its display, facilitating direct cloud printing.

Software and ecosystem

Both printers integrate with the Brother Mobile Connect app, which allows users to print, scan, and manage their wireless printer from almost anywhere. This software ecosystem enables users to order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete work on the go. The Brother Work Smart 1360 emphasizes easy onscreen menu navigation through its app and printer display. The DCP-L2640DW focuses on secure multi-device connectivity to navigate changing business demands. Both systems support standard mobile printing protocols, ensuring compatibility with smartphones and tablets. The ability to track supplies through the app is a shared feature that helps maintain uptime by alerting users when toner or ink levels are low, though the specific supply types differ due to the laser versus inkjet technology.

Price and value

The Brother Work Smart 1360 is priced at $109.98, making it significantly more affordable than the Brother DCP-L2640DW, which is listed at $209.99. This price difference reflects the difference in technology and performance capabilities. The Work Smart 1360 offers color printing and a lower entry cost, representing strong value for home users who do not require high-speed monochrome output. The DCP-L2640DW commands a higher price but delivers higher print speeds, a larger document feeder, and wired network connectivity. For small businesses, the higher upfront cost may be justified by the time saved through faster processing and the durability associated with laser printing. Value is subjective here; it depends on whether the user prioritizes initial cost savings or long-term productivity features.

Which one should you buy?

Choosing between these two printers depends largely on your specific workflow requirements. If you operate a small business that handles high volumes of black and white documents, the Brother DCP-L2640DW is the superior choice due to its 36 ppm print speed, 50-page ADF, and Ethernet connectivity. It is built for extraordinary productivity in a compact footprint. However, if you are a home user who needs color printing for occasional projects and wants to keep costs low, the Brother Work Smart 1360 is the appropriate selection. It provides essential multifunction capabilities, cloud app integration, and color output at a lower price point. Ultimately, the DCP-L2640DW wins on performance metrics, while the Work Smart 1360 wins on affordability and color versatility.