Turning the Page

Of all the devices in a traditional office setting, the printer is perhaps the most temperamental. On some days, it works without fail, printing documents quickly and easily. But then there are the days when the printer is a major thorn in the collective side of the employees, with paper jams, ink spills, and a litany of errors. Not only do these problems slow down the workflow, they also have a negative impact on the environment.

Realizing that saving both ink and paper can help to eliminate errors could significantly increase workplace productivity, HP announced the release of several new office printers designed to optimize paper and ink usage. While this can provide businesses with cost savings in the long run, the benefits of these new releases go beyond the financial aspects.

"We're reinventing printing for every business – large or small," Enrique Lopes, president of Imaging and Printing for HP Inc. said in a statement. 

"Traditionally, vendors have spoken about 'Good, Better, Best' where most customers have to compromise," Lopes continued. "But today, we are promising 'Best, Best, Best,' allowing our customers to determine the right print solutions for the business, not their budges."

The releases include new additions to HP’s existing line of business-focused printers, which include the LaserJet and OfficeJet Pro series, along with the creation of the PageWide series. Furthermore, with the Internet of Things growing in popularity, HP introduced Secure Managed Print Services to combat the efforts of hackers attempting to gain access to sensitive corporate data through printers.

A growing family

The newest members of the LaserJet family include the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 377dw and the LaserJet Pro M501 Series. With print speeds of up to 25 pages per minute for both colour and black-and-white documents, the MFP 377dw can scan files directly to email, network folders, the cloud and USB thumb drives. One of the smallest devices in its class, it uses HP Original High Yield Color Toner cartridges with JetIntelligence to help users to get the best value for their money. Available as of June, the MFP 377dw retails for $489.

The LaserJet Pro M501 speeds up waiting time by printing documents in 7.3 seconds, on average. Equipped with a 250-sheet output tray and maximum capacity of 1,200 sheets, the M501 can print up to 65 ppm. Additionally, it helps to conserve energy with its design and use of toner technology. Slated for an April release, the M501 retails for $549.

On the OfficeJet side, the new 8210 OfficeJet Pro and 6900 and 8700 series all-in-one printers are designed exclusively for use by small and micro-sized business operations. With a monthly output of up to 800 pages for the 6900s, and 2,000 pages for the 8210 and 8700 series, these devices not only save on office space, but also offer cost savings of 50 per cent or more as compared to laser printers. Retailing for $129.99, the 8700 series will hit the shelves in April, while the 8210 will be available in September for $149.99. The 6900 series will be released in June at a cost of $149.99.

Paging PageWide

New on the scene are HP’s PageWide 300, 400 and 500-series printers. Designed exclusively for small business use, these printers offer larger sheet capacities and increased printing speeds for larger overall outputs. The 300 series, which consists of the PageWide 352dw and 377dw multi-function printer, are intended for small businesses that print up to 3,500 pages per month. These devices can print up to 45 ppm, and will be available for purchase in June.

The PageWide 400 series includes the 452dw and 477dw MFP, which have a monthly output that tops out at 4,500 total pages. With print speeds of 55 ppm, these printers are targeted for an April release, and will retail for $499.

Rounding out the PageWide family are the 500 series devices, which include the 552dw, 577dw MFP and their PageWide colour equivalents, the 556 and 586 MFP. The 552dw and 577dw have print speeds of up to 70 ppm, and can handle a monthly workload of 6,000 pages. Retailing at $699, these devices will hit the market in April. 

The 556 and 586 PageWide Color printers have the highest capacity of the entire series, with the ability to print up to 15,000 pages per month at an average speed of 75ppm. Both will be available as of May, and retail for $749 for the 556, and $1,999 for the 586.