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You’ve done your research, read the reviews, and you’re pretty sure the Brother MCP-L2800DW is the monochrome laser all-in-one for you. But right before you click “buy,” that nagging question pops up: What’s really in the box?
Printer manufacturers are famous for their “what’s in the box” lists that can sometimes be… optimistic. Are the cables included? Is there any starter toner, or am I buying that separately immediately?
We bought one and unboxed it right here to give you the no-fluff, honest answer. Let’s dive in.
First Impressions: The Box
The box is compact and surprisingly light, which is a hallmark of modern, efficient laser printers. Brother uses clear, minimal packaging with handy carry cut-outs. The graphics clearly indicate it’s a Monochrome Laser 3-in-1 (Print, Copy, Scan) with Wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity.
Unboxing: The Moment of Truth
Let’s lay everything out on the table. Here is a complete inventory of what you will find inside the Brother MCP-L2800DW box.
What’s INCLUDED:
The Brother MCP-L2800DW Printer: The main event! It’s wrapped in protective plastic film and secured with foam inserts.
The Toner Cartridge: This is a key point! Brother DOES include a starter toner cartridge (model TN-2510) in the box. This is a relief, as some brands have stopped this practice. Brother states it’s good for about 1,000 pages (at 5% coverage).
The Power Cord: A standard, non-proprietary power cable is included. No need to buy one separately.
The Setup Guide & Documentation: You’ll find a quick install guide, a more detailed user manual, and your warranty information. The setup process is very well documented.
What’s NOT Included (The Fine Print):
This is just as important. Here’s what you need to have on hand or purchase separately.
USB Cable: Unlike some of its competitors, Brother does NOT include a USB cable. If you plan to set up via a direct USB connection to your computer, you will need to provide a standard USB-B to USB-A cable.
Paper: A small pack of paper is not included. You’ll need to load your own standard letter-size or A4 paper to get started.
First Look & Hands-On Setup
Getting the printer ready was straightforward.
Remove the Packaging Tape: The printer is secured with bright blue tapes. Peel those off.
Install the Toner: Open the front cover, remove the new toner from its sealed bag, gently shake it, and slide it in until it clicks. It’s intuitive and foolproof.
Plug In & Power On: Connect the power cord and turn on the printer.
Wireless Setup: We opted for the wireless setup. Using the printer’s small but functional monochrome display, we navigated the menus to connect to our Wi-Fi network. The process took about 5 minutes.
Our “What’s Included” Verdict:
Brother gets it mostly right. Including the starter toner cartridge (TN-2510) is a huge win and allows you to get up and running immediately. The lack of a USB cable is a minor cost-cutting measure, but for a printer heavily marketed for its wireless capabilities, it’s a understandable omission. Just be aware of it if you’re not using Wi-Fi.
Final Thoughts: Is It a Good Buy?
Based on this unboxing and first look, the Brother MCP-L2800DW feels like a complete, ready-to-work package right out of the box. You aren’t left stranded without a way to print.
The Bottom Line: You get the printer, a starter toner (TN-2510) that should last a good while for most home or small office users, and the essential power cord. As long as you have paper and a Wi-Fi network (or a spare USB cable), you can be printing within 15 minutes of unboxing.
Ready to set up yours? Head over to the Brother Support Website for the latest drivers and full manuals.
We hope this real-world unboxing helped! Did you find anything different in your box? Let us know in the comments below!
