EggXpert

Let me preface this by saying that I am not at all knowledgeable when it comes to technology and know very little about laser printers. So I am coming to guys seeking help, please be nice ;-)

I am a graduate student and just ordered my first laser printer, a Brother Black and White Multifunction Laser printer/ Copier/ Scanner. It is the DCP-7040 and Item # N82E16828113304  here on newegg. However, I did not buy from newegg - I found it 60 dollars cheaper on sale at Best Buy. Anyway, the printer will be used for personal and school use.

I noticed that in addition to toner, people bought a Brother DR360 Drum Unit. I have no idea what that is. Newegg's site doesn't explain anything and from other websites I looked at, I was able to conclude that it has something to do with the toner.

My questions are: Do I need to order this drum unit?? Do I need it right now? Is this a replacement type part or is this something I need today in order to start printing?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks

The printer will come with a drum already. How ever its nice to order one as a extra before that little light comes on and tell you to replace the drum. The average drum can yield up to 12,000 pages so I do not know how much printing that you are going to do. Also the drum is equal to a print head on an inkjet printer. There are some Laser printers out there where the cartridge is both the drum and the toner in one, but Brother does not do this.

http://www.brother-usa.com/FAQs/faq.aspx?Model=1298&ProductGroup=1&Keyword=Drum&ProductID=DCP7040

http://www.brother-usa.com/FAQs/faq.aspx?Model=1298&ProductGroup=1&ProductID=DCP7040

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