Summary
In addition to being a monochrome laser printer, the new all-in-one LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw from HP now has the capacity to fax. With its “pro” designation, it gives the impression that it is a printer that is intended to handle business in a dependable and speedy manner.
We put it through its paces to see whether or not the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw is hiding any weaknesses and whether or not it has the potential to be one of the top printers currently on the market.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw review: Crafting
If you are looking for a laser printer that is both quick and competent, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw is an all-in-one that is both stylish and small. The white body of the device stands in stark contrast to the dark gray output bin, and the automated document feeder (ADF) keeps this pattern going by placing a stripe of white and gray on the top of the device. As a result of its rounded vertical edges, the look is more kind.
The LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw has a footprint that is 16.5 inches by 15.7 inches and a height that is a little more than 12 inches. During operation, the paper guides increase the height to 12.5 inches and expand the dimensions to 16.8 inches by 16.8 inches. Even though it weighs a modest 23.1 pounds, the printer has a solid feel about it.
In the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw, the output bin that can hold 150 pages is conveniently located above the paper tray that can hold 250 sheets and is located at the bottom of the device. On the center control panel, there is a color touchscreen measuring 2.7 inches, and there is also a USB-A socket suitable for a thumb drive that is conveniently accessible. On top, the flatbed scanner and the 50-page automatic document feeder round out the set.
Immediately after turning on a new printer, the first thing I do is make adjustments to the display so that it is more easily readable. The display adjustment of the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw was limited to a narrow range of 25 degrees by HP. I am able to use a printer without any difficulty since I am standing while doing so. However, if you were to sit down, it would be impossible to see what was on the screen.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw review: The performance of printing
Speed is a primary focus in the design of HP’s LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw. The first page may be printed in as little as 6.6 seconds, and lengthy documents can be printed at a rate of up to 35 pages per minute (ppm). After a print job has been sent, there is no need to wait any longer. When I arrived at the location where the printer was located, my document was already waiting for me, unless I was standing in front of it.
The print quality is outstanding, and there is no loss of detail despite the rapid performance of the application. In most cases, a monochrome laser printer is not linked with high-quality photographs; nevertheless, the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw is capable of handling black-and-white photographs expertly and will produce reports that appear fantastic, despite the absence of color information.
When it comes to color printing that is both quick and of good quality, the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301dw from HP is an excellent option.
In most cases, duplex printing is a quick and dependable method of printing; however, the HP Smart app on my iPhone made that choice grayed out. Instead, I used AirPrint as a workaround, and I discovered that the double-sided option worked just as I had anticipated it would.
It takes around seven seconds for the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw to raise the paper size screen on the printer. This indicates that the printer is a touch sluggish when it comes to handling paper changes. It is only because everything else is moving so quickly that this jumps out.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw review: Unique characteristics
This all-in-one printer provides just about everything a home office could possibly need, including the ability to print, scan, copy, and fax. I was able to utilize the ADF to scan single-sided documents and print double-sided copies, despite the fact that duplex scanning is not supported.
The ADF and flatbed scanners are both high-speed. Up to 20 pages per minute (ppm) of black-and-white documents may be scanned via the ADF, while color documents can be scanned at 9 ppm. Take advantage of the flatbed scanner, which is capable of producing up to 1,200 dots per inch, for the highest possible picture quality. There is a maximum resolution of 300 dots per inch at the ADF.
Brother’s DCPL2550DW can scan at 600 dpi from the automatic document feeder (ADF), which is comparable to the 1,200 dpi that HP can get with the flatbed scanner.
There is a USB-A connection for thumb drives that is concealed behind a push panel in the upper left corner of the device, making walk-up printing more easy. When a thumb drive is plugged into the printer, the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw is able to identify it and ask the user to either print or scan anything.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw review: Programming and compatibility issues
One of the top printer brands is HP, so it should come as no surprise that the setup process was fast and simple. Using the touchscreen on the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw, I was able to go through the procedure by following the quick-start tutorial and using the touchscreen. As a result of the fact that HP sends this printer with a toner cartridge already installed, the process of unwrapping it and getting it ready to use took just approximately five minutes.
The establishment of the Wi-Fi network was quick, and HP’s dual-band support was just as dependable as it had always been. There are additional connections on the rear that let you connect to a computer via either Ethernet or USB-B, in case you would rather have a connected connection.
Computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux are all supported by HP. It is possible to use the HP Smart app on both iOS and Android devices. Because there is no mention of ChromeOS, users of Chromebooks should hunt for a printer that is compatible with their laptop and is known to function with it.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw review: A reasonable cost
It is possible to get the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw at a price of $259, despite the fact that its retail price is $309. This is a great value for a monochrome laser printer that is both quick and dependable, and it also has the ability to scan, copy, and fax documents.
In general, black toner is inexpensive, and HP’s high-yield 138X LaserJet toner assists in maintaining low print costs, with an average of three cents per page. Before requiring a new cartridge, it can print around 4,000 pages at a price of approximately $125. Considering that the cost per page of the standard-yield HP 138 has increased to 4.5 cents, purchasing a 138X cartridge is an investment that is well worth it.
The standard yield cartridge is included in the shipment of the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw; thus, you will need to change it after about 1,500 pages.
If you are looking for the most cost-effective printing solution, inkjet tank printers are hard to surpass. The Smart Tank 7602 from HP is substantially slower than the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw; however, it comes with two years’ worth of printer ink, and a monochrome page only requires three-tenths of a cent’s worth of ink.
Are you the one who needs this printer?
The LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw from HP is a printer that is remarkable in terms of its speed and quality. It is possible that it would be an excellent investment for a home office or even a small company entity. There is no doubt that the pricing is appealing.
Printers that use laser technology are designed to endure for a long time, and HP claims that the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw can handle up to 50,000 pages each month. With a monthly average volume of up to 2,500 pages, the suggested maximum is used. Those are the kinds of figures that are acceptable for even a bustling workplace.
It is important to be aware of a few restrictions. You will want more toner in a short amount of time if you print often or in a large volume since it comes with a toner cartridge that is full yet has a regular capacity. The quality of the ADF is sufficient for the majority of documents; however, it may have difficulty reading small type, and it is unable to scan papers that are printed on both sides. Because of these particulars, the attraction may be diminished for some companies.
In the event that you want full duplex, the Canon imageCLASS MF275dw is capable of scanning, copying, and printing on both sides without fail.
You are going to have a lot of fun with the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw, which is a laser printer that is really speedy and comes with a flatbed scanner that is quick and of good quality. Those sporadic needs for business documents may be satisfied by the ADF and the fax.
