Very Quick
"I told the gentleman that the toner cartridge TN-450 was not fitting in the drum unit of my BROTHER MFC-7860DW and he told me that there could be some design changes between the US model and the Indian model AND that is the only reason why the US cartridge is not slipping into the drum unit of the Indian printer (left side slips in but not the right side)."
"I did see something odd in the test pages, which you can print by hitting the "Go" button three times in rapid succession: it states that I am printing at 600dpi and am not in Toner Save mode, but when I go to Devices & Printers in Windows and look at Printing Preferences, it shows differently, that I'm printing at 300dpi and am in Toner Save mode."
"So far, I've printed over 1200 additional pages since the first warning and everything is still printing fine, with no lines or other problems that come when the toner actually is low."
"In fact, I suspect that even if TONER LIFE END comes up, you may be able to just reset that gear without refilling the toner, it will still be able to print for a while (providing that you can endure the bugging request from your love ones when they see that toner low thing)."
"But I have now utilized several different cartridges for my current Brother printer, and I find that lack of quality control has created three (3) separate problems: 1."
"Some previous reviewers had complained about getting non-Brother cartridges, but this problem seems to have been fixed."
"There are also some hacks around the internet for printing until there's absolutely nothing left in the thing that I understand will push another couple hundred pages."
Brother TN450 High Yield Black Toner - Retail Packaging (Compare Deals from $47.98)
Quick
"Here's why: Printer: Brother MFC-7860DW; purchased from an authorized Brother dealer in HYDERABAD, India - back in 2012 Placed an order for a Brother TN-450 toner cartridge on AMAZON... Though printers are of the same model, they are not just different in voltage (110v vs 220v) but also some of their accessories like the cartridge, Brother has designed them differently... I told the gentleman that the toner cartridge TN-450 was not fitting in the drum unit of my BROTHER MFC-7860DW and he told me that there could be some design changes between the US model and the Indian model AND that is the only reason why the US cartridge is not slipping into the drum unit of the Indian printer (left side slips in but not the right side)."
"I did see something odd in the test pages, which you can print by hitting the "Go" button three times in rapid succession: it states that I am printing at 600dpi and am not in Toner Save mode, but when I go to Devices & Printers in Windows and look at Printing Preferences, it shows differently, that I'm printing at 300dpi and am in Toner Save mode... As so many others have reported, you'll get warnings that it's almost empty long before it needs to be replaced... Near the end of its life, the printing looked like the ink had run out, but just running the tab on the corona wire back and forth a few times solved the problem."
"I converted to a Brother monochrome laser printer a few months ago after years of frustration with another brand's all-in-one printer that consumed huge amounts of color ink even though I printed everything in black and white... Like others, I started to get a "low toner" warning around 1500 copies and if it weren't for seeing other Amazon reviews for other Brother cartridges, I might have changed the cartridge shortly after getting the first warning... So far, I've printed over 1200 additional pages since the first warning and everything is still printing fine, with no lines or other problems that come when the toner actually is low."
"Like most people, I bought this TN450 when I purchased MFC7860DW as the feedback were consistent that the starter toner TN420 has such a short life. Well, we have been printing+copying from this printer at the rate of ~100/150 page a week (normal full text page)... In fact, I suspect that even if TONER LIFE END comes up, you may be able to just reset that gear without refilling the toner, it will still be able to print for a while (providing that you can endure the bugging request from your love ones when they see that toner low thing)."
"But I have now utilized several different cartridges for my current Brother printer, and I find that lack of quality control has created three (3) separate problems: 1... I had read that "some" laser printers give off dangerous VOC fumes, but I never detected any problem with this... Constant Messages to Buy-A-New-Cartridge & Occasional Interference With Computer Operation A Brother representative advised me that Brother gives a cartridge-low message once the cartridge is 30% from being empty."
"Some previous reviewers had complained about getting non-Brother cartridges, but this problem seems to have been fixed... You then use that box (and its cardboard inserts) with the included pre-paid mailing label to mail them your old ink cartridge for recycling (completely free for you)... The cartridge itself came with very clear instructions on how to do the replacement, so you don't have to sit there and guess how to get the old one out and the new one in."
"There are also some hacks around the internet for printing until there's absolutely nothing left in the thing that I understand will push another couple hundred pages... I should note that buying the TN450 (extra capacity) drums here on Amazon is usually about the same price as buying the standard capacity ones at your favorite office supply store... While you do need to sign up, in a year they've sent me exactly two emails: one that said "thanks for signing up" and another that said "we've sent you a shipping label."
Less Quick
"Here's why: Printer: Brother MFC-7860DW; purchased from an authorized Brother dealer in HYDERABAD, India - back in 2012 Placed an order for a Brother TN-450 toner cartridge on AMAZON... Continued to use the one that came with the printer until it stopped printing any document... com it says its compatible with my printer model - IT DOES NOT especially if your printer is from another country... Though printers are of the same model, they are not just different in voltage (110v vs 220v) but also some of their accessories like the cartridge, Brother has designed them differently... I told the gentleman that the toner cartridge TN-450 was not fitting in the drum unit of my BROTHER MFC-7860DW and he told me that there could be some design changes between the US model and the Indian model AND that is the only reason why the US cartridge is not slipping into the drum unit of the Indian printer (left side slips in but not the right side)... Coz I wanted to shared my success story with others who may have had the similar experience and figuring out how to get this done. While that's the primary intent, I also would like to THANK wholeheartedly for listing a mobile number on the product page so customers like me get instant call support."
"I did see something odd in the test pages, which you can print by hitting the "Go" button three times in rapid succession: it states that I am printing at 600dpi and am not in Toner Save mode, but when I go to Devices & Printers in Windows and look at Printing Preferences, it shows differently, that I'm printing at 300dpi and am in Toner Save mode... This led me to wait too long to order a replacement - by coincidence the toner ran out the first time I tried to print after ordering a replacement!... I do have two complaints, and am knocking off one star for them: 1) The inconsistency in reporting the DPI at which I'm printing and about whether or not I'm printing in Toner Save mode... I just wish I could see the toner level and pages printed without using up three pages and that much ink... Just like the first time, it's the genuine Brother cartridge, including the return label for recycling the old one... As so many others have reported, you'll get warnings that it's almost empty long before it needs to be replaced... Near the end of its life, the printing looked like the ink had run out, but just running the tab on the corona wire back and forth a few times solved the problem."
"I converted to a Brother monochrome laser printer a few months ago after years of frustration with another brand's all-in-one printer that consumed huge amounts of color ink even though I printed everything in black and white. The toner cartridge that came with the Brother laser unit ran out quickly, as I was warned, and it took a while to figure out how to replace the cartridge the first time around but now it's easy... Like others, I started to get a "low toner" warning around 1500 copies and if it weren't for seeing other Amazon reviews for other Brother cartridges, I might have changed the cartridge shortly after getting the first warning. Having read the other reviews, however, I removed the existing cartridge, shook it a bit to assure the remaining toner was well distributed, ran the "carona wire" back and forth a couple of times and returned the printer to regular use. So far, I've printed over 1200 additional pages since the first warning and everything is still printing fine, with no lines or other problems that come when the toner actually is low. I'm watching to see how much longer the old cartridge will work, but wow, the other reviewers definitely helped by warning of this problem... By the way, I didn't put tape over the holes as others have suggested since I don't want any complications from that, although may do so the next time around."
"Like most people, I bought this TN450 when I purchased MFC7860DW as the feedback were consistent that the starter toner TN420 has such a short life. Well, we have been printing+copying from this printer at the rate of ~100/150 page a week (normal full text page)... So far, this simple plastic gear is THE ONLY thing that trigger toner low or toner life end message regardless of the actual amount of toner remain in it. As a test, I opened TN420 (after TONER LOW for 3 weeks) and pour out the remaining ink... When you get TONER LOW message, I suggest you order your refill kit to be ready when needed... In fact, I suspect that even if TONER LIFE END comes up, you may be able to just reset that gear without refilling the toner, it will still be able to print for a while (providing that you can endure the bugging request from your love ones when they see that toner low thing). This uneasy situation (induced by a poor design from Brother) is the only reason I take one star out."
"I have owned various Brother printers for more than 20 years, and I have liked them... But I have now utilized several different cartridges for my current Brother printer, and I find that lack of quality control has created three (3) separate problems: 1. Burning the Edge of Paper With An Accompanying Smell of Burning: My second cartridge caused the printer to burn the edge of the paper and to leave burn marks all the way down the page... I had read that "some" laser printers give off dangerous VOC fumes, but I never detected any problem with this... Constant Messages to Buy-A-New-Cartridge & Occasional Interference With Computer Operation A Brother representative advised me that Brother gives a cartridge-low message once the cartridge is 30% from being empty... This was annoying to say the least, and the representative reported that there's no way to turn this feature off... At times, once the message popped up, I couldn't get an internet connection since I did not click on the "buy" button."
"Some previous reviewers had complained about getting non-Brother cartridges, but this problem seems to have been fixed... You then use that box (and its cardboard inserts) with the included pre-paid mailing label to mail them your old ink cartridge for recycling (completely free for you). I really appreciate the efforts they've taken to make this product and its packaging more environmentally friendly than others. The cartridge itself came with very clear instructions on how to do the replacement, so you don't have to sit there and guess how to get the old one out and the new one in... The machine accepted it perfectly and immediately started printing from it. I have not used this cartridge long enough to judge on yield yet, so I will leave that part out of the review for now... For these, you shake them horizontally and "clean" them using the green slider at the back, making sure the slider is returned to its original position before installation."
"I am on my third TN450 refill in two years, and typically get 8-9 entire reams of printing done per cartridge... There are also some hacks around the internet for printing until there's absolutely nothing left in the thing that I understand will push another couple hundred pages. I know at least one person who has done this successfully, but I have not tried. I should note that buying the TN450 (extra capacity) drums here on Amazon is usually about the same price as buying the standard capacity ones at your favorite office supply store... You can then pack up the old one, tape it up, and send it on its merry way. If Brother has forgotten to give you a recycling label, you can request one at their website. While you do need to sign up, in a year they've sent me exactly two emails: one that said "thanks for signing up" and another that said "we've sent you a shipping label."
