Brother Introduces New 15 PPM Multi-Platform Personal Laser Printers Starting at $299.

Business and Technology Editors and Writers

PC EXPO 2001

Booth #3262

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2001

Newest Laser Line-up Meets and Surpasses the "Tough Act to

Follow" Challenge of Brother's Previous Printer Models

Brother International Corporation today introduces the successors to its outstanding line of award-winning monochrome personal laser printers.

The Brother HL-1440, HL-1450 and HL-1470N will replace the existing HL-1200 series printers(1). The new units deliver improved performance and features including faster print speeds, higher resolution, expandable memory and both interactive and online user support. The three printers have estimated street prices of $299, $349 and $499 respectively. First customer shipments are slated for July 2001.

"Replacing a line of printers that has been so incredibly successful - and continues to do well - is almost unthinkable," says Don Cummins, Vice President of Marketing for Printers, Fax, and Multifunction Devices. "However, the new HL-1400 series printers deliver improved performance and functionality, while continuing with the same feature set as our earlier award-winning models including a sleek, office style form factor, outstanding print quality, and low total cost of ownership."

Enhanced Features and Performance

All of the new units offer a faster print speed of 15 pages per minute - 3 pages per minute faster than the models they replace and among the fastest print speeds in their class. In addition, the units boast a fast first-page out speed of less than 15 seconds. Along with the faster print speeds, all three printers now offer output quality of up to 1200 x 600 dpi print resolution for sharp, crisp and clear printing of both text and graphics.

Beyond the improvements on print speeds and output resolution, the new line also offers expandable memory for all of its units, including the entry-level HL-1440.(2) This model comes standard with a 2MB memory that can be expanded up to 34MB. The HL-1450 comes standard with an 8MB memory - twice that of the unit it replaces - and can be expanded up to 36MB. The network-ready HL-1470N also comes with an 8MB memory that is upgradeable to 36MB.

Another key improvement for Brother's new line-up is the interactive and on-line support for end users. Together, these features help users with step-by-step instructions on everything from setup to troubleshooting and problem solving. The interactive help is comprised of system resident Shockwave-based animation files that provide visual cues for solving common user problems.

Like the interactive assistance that is available at the desktop, users can also find help online with the Brother Solutions Center (http://solutions.brother.com). This web-based resource, accessed via one button click from within the printer driver itself, or the interactive help system is particularly helpful in assisting users with obtaining the most up-to-date drivers, support materials and information to help them get the most out of their Brother printer.

"A lot of thought went into the development of the new HL-1400 series to ensure that we improved upon the qualities that made our earlier line so successful," said Jeff Sandler, Brother's Senior Product Manager for Printers. "At the same time we were determined to deliver on improved features and performance in ways that are most useful for our customers. I think we found a perfect balance in this new line."

A Legacy of Compatibility, Performance & Value

As with the previous generation, all of the new printers come with drivers for Windows(R) 2000, ME, 98, 95, NT 4.0, and Apple(R) iMac(TM), iBook(TM), G4 drivers. PCL4 is standard for the HL-1440 while PCL6 and Postscript Language Level 2 emulation is now also standard for both the HL-1450 and HL-1470N.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Parallel interfaces come standard, along with all of the necessary drivers for each model.(3) An optional network adapter is also available for the HL-1440 and HL-1450. For the HL-1470N, a 10/100 BaseT Ethernet network card comes as standard.

The HL-1440 ... Unbelievable speed and performance value

Besides its fast up to 15 PPM speed and up to 1200 x 600 dpi output, the HL-1440 comes with a robust 2MB of standard memory expandable to 34MB. Its 250-sheet universal paper cassette ensures an ample supply of paper for personal printing. The HL-1440 sticks with the same commercial design of the HL-1200 series, making it easier to place in any desktop environment.

Other feature legacies include a large toner capacity and multi-platform capability. Two toner cartridges are offered with either a 3,000 page (standard -- TN-430) or 6,000 page (hi-yield - TN-460) capacity toner cartridges (both with toner page life ratings at 5% coverage). The drum is rated at up to 20,000 pages, allowing for a very low total cost per page of about 2.3 cents.

The HL-1440 printer will be available by late June 2001 and is estimated to sell for around $299(a). It will be available through office superstores, national distributors, computer resellers and regional retailers.

The HL-1450 ... Enhanced resolution, memory and emulations

Along with its up to 15 PPM speed, the HL-1450 boasts up to 1200 x 600 dpi graphics quality, 8MB of memory standard that is expandable to 36MB via industry standard SIMMs, and PCL6 emulation. It too has a 250-sheet paper capacity, but it also has the option to add a second 250-sheet paper cassette, that easily fits directly beneath the HL-1450.

As a multi-platform unit, the HL-1450 supports Windows(R) 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT 4.0, iMac(TM), iBook(TM), G3, G4 and PCL6. The HL-1450 is expected to sell for around $349(a) and will also be available in July 2001.

The HL-1470N... High Performance and Wide Compatibility

The HL-1470N has 8MB memory standard - expandable to up to 36MB. In addition to its fast, up to 15 PPM print speed, it has a first-page print speed of less than 15 seconds. As with the HL-1450, this printer comes standard with a universal 250-sheet paper cassette and will also accommodate an optional second 250-sheet lower cassette.

It too is a multi-platform unit which supports Windows(R) 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT 4.0, iMac(TM), iBook(TM), G3, G4 and PCL6. The HL-1470N is expected to sell for around $499(a) and will also be available in July 2001.

HL-1440 Specs At a Glance

-- Up to 15 PPM

-- Up to 1200 x 600 dpi resolution

-- 2 MB memory (34 MB max.)

-- Parallel and USB ports

-- Cross-platform compatible

-- PCL4 emulation

-- Universal 250-sheet paper cassette

-- Interactive, animated help files

-- On-line, web-based support

-- Manual duplexing

-- Energy Star compliant

-- Optional network adapter

-- Estimated street price, $299

HL-1450 Specs At a Glance

-- Up to 15 PPM

-- Up to 1200 x 600 dpi resolution

-- 8 MB memory (36 MB max.)

-- Parallel and USB ports

-- Cross platform compatible

-- PCL6 and PS/2 (BR-Script 2)

-- Optional 2nd 250-sheet paper cassette

-- Interactive, animated help files

-- On-line, web-based support

-- Manual duplexing

-- Energy Star compliant

-- Optional network adapter

-- Estimated street price, $349

HL-1470N Specs At a Glance

-- Up to 15 PPM

-- Up to 1200 x 600 dpi resolution

-- Internal 10/100 BaseT Ethernet

-- 8 MB memory (36 MB max.)

-- Parallel and USB ports

-- Cross platform compatible

-- PCL6 and PS/2 (BR-Script 2)

-- Optional 2nd 250-sheet paper cassette

-- Interactive, animated help files

-- On-line, web-based support

-- Manual duplexing

-- Energy Star compliant

-- Estimated street price, $499

Warranty and Reliability

The HL-1440 series includes a one-year express exchange warranty. In and out of warranty service is available on a walk-in, send-in or on-site basis through a nationwide network of Brother Authorized Service Depots.

Information may be obtained by calling customer service at [phone], accessing the Brother fax-back system toll-free at [phone], or visiting Brother's web site at http://www.brother.com.

About Brother

Bridgewater, New Jersey is the corporate headquarters for Brother in the Americas, from Canada to South America and has fully integrated sales, marketing, services, manufacturing, research and development capabilities, located here in the U.S. In addition to its headquarters, Brother has branches in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas as well as subsidiaries in Ohio, Canada, Brazil, Chile and Mexico.

NOTE: All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. EDITOR'S NOTE: Photography available upon request.

(a) Estimated Street Price

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(1) The HL-1200 series includes Brother's HL-1240, HL-1250 and

HL-1270N

(2) The HL-1200 series did not offer expandable memory on its

entry-level model, the HL-1240.

(3) USB cable not included with purchase