Brother Introduces New 12 PPM Laser Multi-Function Centers For WindowsR and AppleR iMacTM/G3 Environments.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 30, 1999--

Multi-Platform MFC-8300 and MFC-8600 Raise the Stakes

with their Commercial Design and High Speed Performance!

Brother International Corporation, who has been a leader in the laser multi-function market since 1994, today introduced their 4th generation of laser Multi-Function Centers with the new MFC-8300 and MFC-8600.

Both models bear a new stylish, commercial design, an impressive print speed of up to 12 pages per minute and both USB and parallel ports are standard. These models are also the first, laser MFPs in the market that can be used with both Windows(R) and Apple(R) iMac(TM)/G3 environments. The MFC-8300 is a 3-in-1 MFC (fax, printer, & copier) that will sell in the market for $499(a). The MFC-8600 is a 6-in-1 MFC (fax, printer, copier, scanner, PC/Internet Fax & video capture) and will sell in the market for $599(a). Both models will be shipping in September.

"The MFC-8300 and MFC-8600 promise to change the scope of the laser multi-function market in two important areas - performance and design," notes Don Cummins, Brother's Vice President for Marketing of Fax, MFC and Printers, "Many laser multi-function customers want and need more performance than products that are currently in the market. Our new models handle all those needs, but at prices that are occupied by much slower 6PPM or 8PPM models."

"Now with our iMac/G3 compatibility, Brother has expanded its innovative leadership to a whole new group of users, that never had the opportunity to use laser multi-function products", adds Cummins.

MFC-8300.........A Powerful 3-in-1 Solution

For those business users that need just the basics (fax, printer, and copier functions), the new MFC-8300 offers incredible performance and value.

Fax functions for the MFC-8300 include a 14.4Kbps fax/modem, 2MB memory that accommodates up to 90 pages for out of paper reception, a built-in telephone handset, 2 second Quick Scan of originals for memory transmission, Dual Access and Broadcasting up to 182 locations - all designed for greater convenience. It also includes a 30 page automatic document feeder to handle large fax jobs, and a large 250 sheet universal paper cassette that is self contained with the unit itself - for heavier commercial use or those busy periods that even a SOHO user can experience.

As a laser printer, the MFC-8300 could justify its price point as a standalone unit. It delivers crisp, fast, laser output at up to 12 pages per minute and 600 x 600 dpi. The MFC-8300's 2MB memory accommodates full-page printing of even the most complex print jobs, and it comes standard with both USB and parallel printer ports (and a IEEE-1284 parallel printer cable is included in the box as standard). It even works with various printing platforms, Windows 3.1x, 95, 98, NT Workstation 4.0, PCL4 for DOS printing applications, and Apple iMac/G3 - all drivers included as standard.

It is an ideal convenience copier, too. The MFC-8300 can make up to 99 multiple copies at up to 12 copies per minute, and perform advanced functions such as sorting and reduction or enlargement between 50% and 200%. No more running to the copy shop or standing in line at a shared copier, for those small copy needs.

The MFC-8300 has multi-tasking capability to allow the user to perform multiple functions at once, and maximize productivity.

MFC-8600.........The Ultimate 6-in-1 Laser Solution

For those users that need more than the basic functions, the MFC-8600 is a feature-packed Fax, Printer, Copier, Scanner, PC/Internet Fax and Video Capture device all rolled into one. It is a tremendous value with unparalleled performance at its price point.

The MFC-8600 offers all the basic features found on the MFC-8300, and much more. It provides a robust 4MB memory for up to 270 pages of out of paper reception, and in addition to its standard 250 sheet paper cassette, a 2nd optional 250 sheet lower cassette can also be added.

As a scanner, the MFC-8600 provides great convenience B/W scanning capability with up to 1200 x 1200 dpi interpolated resolution (300x600 optical) for use with both Windows and Apple iMac/G3 platforms. For Windows users, the MFC-8600 includes ScanSoft Paperport (formally Visioneer) and ScanSoft TextBridge OCR, while a TWAIN driver is available for Apple users.

PC Faxing and PC Internet Faxing (for Windows users only) is also possible using the MFC-8600, with bundled PC faxing software developed by Smith Micro and PC internet faxing software from Netcentric.

In addition, Brother maintains its lead in supporting the growth of video devices and digital cameras with the MFC-8600. Its exclusive Video Capture function allows for direct connection to most digital cameras, VCRs, and camcorders via a standard RCA jack (NTSC) which allows the printing of a video frame directly to paper in black and white or capturing and storing the frame in color into your PC and printing it in color on any color printer.

Consumables

Two toner cartridges are offered with either a 3000 (standard -- HL-430) or 6000 (hi-yield - HL-460) capacity - allowing for a cost per page of as little as 1.4 cents per page. The drum is rated at up to 20,000 pages allowing for a very low cost per printed page including drum cost of about 2.3 cents.

ABOUT BROTHER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Bridgewater, New Jersey is the corporate headquarters for Brother in the Americas, from Canada to South America. It has fully integrated sales, marketing services, manufacturing, research and development capabilities located in the U.S. In addition to its headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Brother has branches in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas as well as subsidiaries in Ohio, Canada, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. Additional information may be obtained from the Brother fax-back system toll-free at [phone] or by visiting their web site at www.brother.com.

(a) Estimated street price

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EDITOR' NOTE: Photography available upon request