If the Price is Right
Pros:
reliable, won't break
Cons:
clunky, pricey
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
After researching different laser printers online and offline (a la epinions, deja, and word of mouth), I decided on the HP Laserjet 1100. Overall, I am quite impressed by the print quality and the reliability this Hewlett Packard offers.
Specs
-Prints at 8 pages per minute (not bad)
-600 dpi
-2 MB (many printers today have 4 MB, but this HP handles well at only 2 MB. The 1100 is upgradeable to 18 MB.). Heres the place you can buy an additional 4 MB (Onvia.com) - it only costs 40 more bucks: http://www.onvia.com/usa/products/index.cfm?Task=ViewProduct&SearchText=HP%25201100&IdCatalog=196612
- Supports standard PC systems including DOS.
- Software drivers are included on the CD ROM
- One year warranty
-Toner cartridge is good (Theres a starter cartridge thats included. And, theres the HP UltraPrcise toner cartridge that youll have to buy. I hear its a good toner, that lasts a while. Who knew there were differences in toners?)
the Good
-Name brand
Though I had purchased a faulty HP in the past (about seven or eight years ago; the HP 540C a defective color inkjet), I decided on buying one now. Why? Quite simply, HPs have improved their hardware components over the past five years, winning many awards, thus proving that their the best in what they do.
Overall, HP printers are particularly good, in terms of reliability, print quality, and ease-of-use.
On a side note: I was previously using a Brother HL 1040, which had many problems; among other things, I always came out with smeared my documents (even after replacing the toner two times); it would never print on command; the toner would always run out too soon. In terms of price, this thing was a steal at around 200 bucks. I wouldnt opt for it, though.
-Print Quality
At 600 dpi, this HP prints rather well.
Like most printers, there are different settings that can be adjusted to save toner, and reduce quality (Economode). The Brother 1040 that I was using had poor print quality, and killed my toner fast. In case youre wondering, toners are not cheap about 100 dollars for one.
-Simple design
For a printer, this mother is aesthetically pleasing. It matches my banal looking, greyish computer rather well.
The 1100 is square-shaped, with one button (on/off), making the usability quite good. While the paper holder is located in the rear of the printer, the feed is located in the middle of the printer (the printed pages print out to a different tray)
-Quiet.
Prints more quietly than other printers Ive used.
-Easy to install.
The software drivers are included on a CD-ROM and on Win 98. I was also able to configure this printer thru a network (sharing with my buddies) easily and quickly.
-One year warranty
If this thing dies on me, I can always turn to three sources: 1. their website <www.hp.com/support/lj1100); 2. fax (800-333-1917) 3. tech support via phone (208)323 - 2551. Operators are waiting to take your call!
My friends opted for cruddy Lexmarks and NECs, which offered cruddy service without a good warranty/return policy. So, never leave home without good warranty policies.
the Bad
-Pricey.
I bought mine at Onvia for about $390. Not bad for a laser printer. Not good for a laser printer either. There are cheaper ones that do the same thing that sell for half or ¼ the price. I wouldnt go for them, simply because this HP is much more reliable.
There are other versions of the HP 1100 that are offered. A professional version, the 1100 se and aXI (I think thats what its called) offer the same exact hardware, but charges you fifty bucks more for added-software (trust me, the software is not that good)! What a jip.
On a good note, when I went to the Syracuse , NY - Carousel mall after I had purchased this item, they offered the professional version for only $430 with a rebate ($50 or $25 if I remember correctly)
-Clunky.
Sure the 1100 is eye-pleasing, but its rather heavy and takes up a lot of space. Mind you, the 1100 also measures tall, which may be of some concern to you.
the LowDown
A very good quality printer that offers excellent print quality, the HP 1100 is well worth the $400 I paid. I would highly recommend it.
CompuVest
