Using macOS 11.6.8 on my iMac.
Would like to buy a friend's used Brother Intellifax 2840 laser printer. My Epson died and the Brother is available and cheap. All I need is a printer/scanner; won't be faxing.
But the newest driver available is for macOS 10.15.x https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=fax2840_us_as .
Can I even install that driver on my newer OS? And if yes, will it run the printer? Thanks.
Hi,
Earlier, it has been reported that a macOS 10.15 Catalina printer driver may work with some Brother printers even under macOS Big Sur. However, a test with the 1.5.0 printer driver (and perhaps Image Capture for scanning) would be needed in this case. It would be an experiment. It may or may not work with this printer (fax) model.
Before testing anything, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files. Software conflicts cannot be ruled out.
You may also have to reset the printing system.
Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)
Hi,
Earlier, it has been reported that a macOS 10.15 Catalina printer driver may work with some Brother printers even under macOS Big Sur. However, a test with the 1.5.0 printer driver (and perhaps Image Capture for scanning) would be needed in this case. It would be an experiment. It may or may not work with this printer (fax) model.
Before testing anything, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files. Software conflicts cannot be ruled out.
You may also have to reset the printing system.
Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)
Got this machine home, it powered up, so I downloaded the latest driver and connected via USB cord (oldie). It works! It was not intended to be used as a printer/scanner, so it only prints BW, and scanning seems to be complex (what's a DVD? lol) and not worth the trouble. But now I have a $40 BW printer, so I'm good. Thanks very much for your advice.
You're welcome! Thank you for the report. Glad to hear that printing works.
If Apple's Image Capture for some reason cannot be used, and if scanning really is needed, you could perhaps have a look at a paid third-party product called VueScan (https://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/brother_fax_2840.html#technical-information).
Very helpful, thank you. I'll see if a test can be arranged. I do have backups, always, but thanks for the reminder.
You're welcome. Good luck with the test!
Will this used Brother printer work with OS 11.6.8?
