Question 1

Is it wireless and can it be connected to my I pad tablet and laptop?

Accepted Answer

In my home, all our computers are hard wired network.  This allows MUCH faster data transfer compared to wireless network. This MFC-870DW printer is UTP CAT 5e networked to all our computers and works very well thus far.

Our primary use is simply Black print. Having printed a dozen pages or so, (not fully printed pages), we have a low Black ink warning. Until it no longer prints black, we'll then add a new Black cartridge. I suspect, it will be black ink printing for some time before Black Ink total Failure.

We have two laptops, again hard wired as needed, with fast service. We haven't tried any tablets as yet nor the scanner function. Sorry I couldn't offer more input. We're happy with the use/functions thus far, even as limited as it is. Print quality is excellent.

Question 2

How tall is the printer with the top lid opened?

Accepted Answer

SLIGHTLY UNDER 17" WITH LID OPEN

Question 3

Is this printer compatable with windows 8.1 ??

Accepted Answer

Very likely..... I have the printer connected via USB to a Dell Windows XP desktop, however, we also have 2 new Toshiba laptops using Windows 8.1 that can print to the Brother printer over the home network. I believe the Windows 8.1 laptops had to load the Brother driver to do that, so my best guess is it will work fine.

Question 4

Does the printer come automatically with ink?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the included ink cartridges have less ink than the ones you will buy as replacements.  I think I got at least 50 pages of mixed (text, text + graphics, photos) before the black cartridge needed replacing.  The color cartridge has lasted longer (but I'm not printing many photos).

Question 5

Is this printer compatible with windows vista ?

Accepted Answer

The MFC-J870dw is sold as compatible with Vista. I installed mine via USB with Windows 7 and had a problem. I called Brother support and they were great, had me unplug and replug the printer, and that did it. The printer works beautifully, and I'm about to buy another to retire my 10-year-old Brother MFC, which works but is much slower to scan.

Question 6

can do 2 sided print?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this printer is able to do two sided prints. You have to set it up in the settings using a computer or the print's panel.

Question 7

What is the size in inches of this product?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's me Clayton.  Thanks so much for your answer; much appreciated.

Clayton C

Question 8

does it have a SD slot? And des it auto-feed?

Accepted Answer

It has a card slot and a USB port. I don't have a SD slot, so I can't say for sure, but the card slot looks to be a little less than an inch across. I expect it's SD, can't see why Brother would use another format.

I'm not sure what you mean by autofeed.  You can put a stack of paper on top for scanning and of course the printer will pull paper from the stack of blank paper until there's no paper left.

Question 9

What kind of cable do I need to connect this printer to my computer?

Accepted Answer

You can connect with a USB 2.0 or 3.0 cable or with a network cable or via wireless. We were unable to use either networking option, since we get our signal via wireless from a nearby T-3 and have no modem or router to connect it to. We had a bit of trouble getting it to connect with USB, but a phone call to Brother fixed it up. Part of the problem was we were using a too-long and possibly substandard USB cable.

I have a similar Brother B&W laser printer and the network cable connected automatically and works just fine.

I don't remember if cables were supplied with the MFC-J870dw.

Question 10

Is this printer compatible with Mac OS X 10.9.1?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I am using Mac OS X 10.9.1 to answer this question. The link below is the link to download the install/driver package. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Mac OX X 10+....hope this helps. Since I am not allowed to include links, go to the brother solutions page and you can navigate to the downloadable software for this model and OS.

Questions & Answers