Windows 8 built-in Brother printer driver caps resolution

I've installed a Brother HL-1240 laser printer on a new Windows 8 computer. Brother says that Windows has built in the driver for this printer. Sure enough, the printer appears on my device list. However, the printer preferences says that the maximum resolution is 300 dpi. The specs for the printer clearly state a max resolution of 600 dpi.

When I used the printer on an XP computer I got 600 dpi.

Has anyone else run into the problem of the Windows 8 printer drive not allowing the maximum printer resolution?

Any solution? I chatted with Brother support and they said that since Windows created the drive that there was nothing Brother could do.

BTW - The printer functions in Windows 8, it just can't supply the max resolution so many of my pdf prints look pixelated.

ChrisVan said:

I chatted with Brother support and they said that since Windows created the drive that there was nothing Brother could do.

Click to expand...

Just my two cents but I seriously doubt that the Win 8 developers are in the driver development business for all 3rd party hardware. Just because it is inherently available via Windows 8 installation methods does not mean that it was created by the Windows 8 developers. With that said, I would be going back to Brother support and tell them that "they" made a mistake when they submitted that Win 8 driver for inclusion in the Win 8 operating system. Specifically, they forgot (or knowingly) did not include the 600 DPI option. And, while you are at it, ask them if there might be an alternative driver (w/600 DPI) available that might work for your specific printer. Good luck.