Main trade-off
Brother MFC-T980DW
50-sheet output and 20-sheet single-sided feeder.
Head-to-head
Brother T980DW vs HP 7603: Second paper tray or more finished sheets?
The short answer
Choose T980DW when plain paper and another supported medium alternate frequently. Its 150-sheet main tray and 80-sheet multipurpose tray provide separate sources. Choose Smart Tank 7603 for longer ordinary batches and larger one-sided original stacks: HP holds 100 output sheets and 35 originals, against Brother’s 50 and 20. Both feeders are single-sided, and both front USB direct-print routes are limited to JPEG.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The school-project printer and the long-report printer can be different choices
Brother’s second source lets a supported project medium remain separate from plain work paper. HP’s single tray needs a stock change for that switch, but its 100-sheet output can collect more finished plain sheets than Brother’s 50. A family that alternates short jobs on different papers may value Brother more. A household that prints a long report on one paper may value HP more. The paper source and the place finished pages land are separate constraints, and both need correct media settings.
What this is based on
Short mixed-media family jobs versus long one-paper work batches crossed with separate input paths and different output capacity. No arbitrary overall capacity score is used.
Main trade-off
HP Smart Tank 7603
One main paper source, single-sided scanning and a monochrome touch display.
Brother MFC-T980DW
- Choose it for
- Keep two supported paper types in separate sources instead of reloading a single main tray.
- Use Ethernet and fax without giving up automatic duplex printing.
- Main trade-off
- 50-sheet output and 20-sheet single-sided feeder.
HP Smart Tank 7603
- Choose it for
- Fit a longer plain-paper result within the 100-sheet output rating.
- Load up to 35 supported one-sided originals rather than 20.
- Main trade-off
- One main paper source, single-sided scanning and a monochrome touch display.
About this comparison
Brother T980DW vs HP Smart Tank 7603 for mixed family projects and office batches. Compare paper changes, output collection and the shared USB limit.
Both tank all-in-ones target a shared home office with Ethernet, fax, automatic duplex and a document feeder. Their capacities point in different directions: Brother separates paper inputs, while HP accepts more finished plain sheets and a larger one-sided original stack.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Frequent switching between two supported papers
Brother offers separate paper sources.
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Better fit
- HP Smart Tank 7603
- Caution
An 80-sheet plain-paper result before collection
HP’s output rating covers the total.
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Caution
- HP Smart Tank 7603
- Better fit
30 supported one-sided originals
HP fits the stack within one feeder load.
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Good
- HP Smart Tank 7603
- Better fit
Direct printing of a PDF from USB
Both direct-print routes specify JPEG.
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Caution
- HP Smart Tank 7603
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The school-project printer and the long-report printer can be different choices
Brother’s second source lets a supported project medium remain separate from plain work paper. HP’s single tray needs a stock change for that switch, but its 100-sheet output can collect more finished plain sheets than Brother’s 50. A family that alternates short jobs on different papers may value Brother more. A household that prints a long report on one paper may value HP more. The paper source and the place finished pages land are separate constraints, and both need correct media settings.
How we reached this conclusion
Short mixed-media family jobs versus long one-paper work batches crossed with separate input paths and different output capacity. No arbitrary overall capacity score is used.
A 30-sheet form packet favors HP only if one-sided handling is the actual job
Thirty suitable one-sided originals fit within HP’s 35-sheet feeder rating. Brother’s 20-sheet feeder needs two loads. If the packet has content on the back, both need manual handling for a second pass, so the larger stack does not turn either into automatic both-side archiving. Check the paper-size and weight restrictions as well. A household that mostly scans two-sided records may be better served by a duplex-scanning alternative than by choosing the larger number in this pair.
How we reached this conclusion
Recurring administrative packets plus interrupted home-office scanning crossed with original count and shared single-sided scanning. Thirty originals give one versus two loads under supported one-sided assumptions.
Both USB ports leave the same gap for documents arriving from another person
A parent, colleague or visitor can hand over a memory stick containing a PDF, yet neither printer’s direct USB printing specification covers that format. Both specify JPEG. A computer, phone or other supported route may still be needed, and a managed work device may have its own restrictions. This is worth checking before choosing either model as the household’s standalone document station. The presence of a port and a PDF scan format cannot establish the reverse printing operation.
How we reached this conclusion
Removable-file handoff plus restricted or unavailable household devices crossed with explicit JPEG-only direct-print support on both. No unsupported app or PDF conversion workflow is promised.
Choice A
Brother, MFCT980DW
Brother MFC-T980DW
Keep two supported paper types in separate sources instead of reloading a single main tray.
- Best matched use
- Keep two supported paper types in separate sources instead of reloading a single main tray.
Checked facts
- Separate paper sources: 150-sheet main and 80-sheet multipurpose trays.
- Finished plain sheets: 50-sheet output.
- One-sided originals: 20-sheet feeder.
- Direct file handoff: USB direct printing is JPEG only.
Choice B
HP, 9B5D1A#B1H
HP Smart Tank 7603
Fit a longer plain-paper result within the 100-sheet output rating.
- Best matched use
- Fit a longer plain-paper result within the 100-sheet output rating.
Checked facts
- Separate paper sources: One 250-sheet main tray.
- Finished plain sheets: 100-sheet output.
- One-sided originals: 35-sheet feeder.
- Direct file handoff: USB direct printing is JPEG only.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Brother MFC-T980DW | HP Smart Tank 7603 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separate paper sources | 150-sheet main and 80-sheet multipurpose trays. | One 250-sheet main tray. | Brother separates media, while HP holds more plain paper in one place. |
| Finished plain sheets | 50-sheet output. | 100-sheet output. | HP doubles the listed collection capacity, without guaranteeing unattended operation. |
| One-sided originals | 20-sheet feeder. | 35-sheet feeder. | A 30-sheet supported one-sided packet fits in one HP load but requires two Brother loads. |
| Direct file handoff | USB direct printing is JPEG only. | USB direct printing is JPEG only. | Neither port establishes direct PDF printing from a stick. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Brother MFC-T980DW
- A larger combined input does not prevent collection visits when finished sheets reach the smaller output rating.
If you choose HP Smart Tank 7603
- Switching the single paper source can leave the next user needing to restore stock and settings. The larger feeder still needs a turn for the backs.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Changing the paper type is the repeated interruption
Choose Brother MFC-T980DW. The second source changes that routine.
Collecting long batches or splitting one-sided original stacks is the interruption
Choose HP Smart Tank 7603. HP provides more output and feeder capacity.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
One household needs fewer paper changes, while another needs fewer returns to collect finished work.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Capacity examples do not establish measured speed or unattended reliability.
- Neither provides automatic both-side scanning.
- No permanent price, ink-cost or photo-quality winner.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current ink-tank printers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-T980DW |
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| HP Smart Tank 7603 |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Brother MFC-T980DW
Keep two supported paper types in separate sources instead of reloading a single main tray.
Use Ethernet and fax without giving up automatic duplex printing.
See price & reviews on AmazonHP Smart Tank 7603
Fit a longer plain-paper result within the 100-sheet output rating.
Load up to 35 supported one-sided originals rather than 20.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.