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The Brother DCP-365CN is classified as a multifunction device that combines copy, scan and print capabilities within a single box that is network-enabled and connects via a USB link-up for standalone use.  As with all the Brother inkjet units I have looked at, the USB port for the DCP-365CN is located inside the unit where there is less chance that it will be accidentally dislodged.  The Ethernet port is similarly located inside the unit.

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Weighing 7.1 kg with dimensions of 390 x 365 x 150mm, the DCP-365CN is not too demanding with regarding required work space although the left-sided mounted power plug does jut out somewhat.  Decked out in two-tone grey and cream, the top of the unit drops away to a slight curve at the front.  This curved appearance, in combination with a grey panel, helps highlight the various controls used by the unit. 

Here you will find a one-line, 16-character LCD display that sits along the top of buttons marked Copy Options, Enlarge/Reduce, Copy Quality and Number of Copies.  Buttons for Menu, Up, Down and OK are positioned to the right of the display.  Further to the right is a row of buttons for Photo Capture, Scan, Ink Management and On/Off.  Completing the available buttons are those for Colour, Mono and Stop/Exit.  A USB 2.0 port and a slot for various memory cards are located on the front of the unit.  The DCP-365CN supports SD, SDHC, xD and Memory Stick formats.

The unit's front mounted paper tray has a capacity of up to 100 A4 sheets.  This tray also doubles as the platform for the paper output helped by a pull-out extension.  The capacity of the output is limited to 50 sheets.

Continuing its policy of making cartridge insertion as easy as possible, Brother has positioned the ink compartment on the front of the box.  You simple open a flap to gain access to the cartridge compartment.  Four ink cartridges, for black, cyan, magenta and yellow, are required.

Before attaching the DCP-365CN to your system you will need to start the software installation process.  Separate CDs are supplied for Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows.  At the appropriate point during the installation you will be advised when to make the necessary connection.  A system restart will be required to complete the process.

According to Brother this model has been rated at 33ppm monochrome and 27ppm for colour.  It is possible to achieve these figures when using the Fast setting (sometimes referred to as Draft mode).  However the print quality for this mode would only be suitable for internal checking use.  Even the next quality level up of Fast Normal is unlikely to satisfy many users while dropping the speed to 11ppm monochrome and 9ppm with colour.  Print quality does improve considerable, making it suitable for communicating with others, with Normal and Fine modes.  The print speeds, however, might not be so appealing with Normal producing 7 and 5ppm and Fine delivering 4 and 2ppm for monochrome and colour.

Due to the limitation imposed by the size of the LCD display, the selection of images from memory cards and USB flash sticks has to be carried out from the computer.  Printing a 10 x 15cm photo took 16 seconds in Normal mode and 39 seconds in the superior Fine mode.  A full colour A4 print required 5 minutes 20 seconds in Fine mode and 10 minutes 4 seconds in the Highest mode (you are informed that this mode could be time consuming).  The print quality for the various pictures was good.  However I struggled to identify differences between the various prints to justify the almost doubling in the printing time.

Positioned on top of the inkjet printer unit is an A4 flatbed scanner.  The scanner is capable of a resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi optical, increasing to 19200 x 19200 dpi interpolated.  Scanning and printing an A4 colour page took 39 seconds.

More suitable for home rather than small office use, the Brother DCP-365CN has a £79.99 price tag.  Replacement cartridges are priced at £22.36 for Black (450 pages) and £11.15 for each colour (325 pages).  A rainbow pack containing cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges is available at £29.36 while a full set of cartridges comes bundled at £48.16.

http://www.brother.co.uk/g3.cfm/s_page/215760/s_level/36230/s_product/DCP365CNZU1