Overview
HP’s October 26 press release outlines eight printer models that suit different household printing routines, comparing colour printing, scanning, copying, wireless connectivity, paper handling and print speed based on manufacturer specifications. The guide stresses that recommendations are specifications‑based, not derived from hands‑on testing, and advises readers to verify current Indian product listings for price, availability and included supplies.
Printer Recommendations
1. HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2878 – Ink‑jet using replaceable cartridges, manual duplex, suitable for occasional homework and forms. ISO speeds: up to 7.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm colour. Recommended monthly volume: 50‑100 pages. Two cartridges (black and tri‑colour) are required.
2. HP Smart Tank 580 – Refillable ink‑tank system, manual duplex, aimed at regular colour schoolwork. ISO speeds: up to 12 ppm black, 5 ppm colour. Recommended monthly volume: 400‑800 pages. HP India listing includes ink for up to 8,000 black or 6,000 colour pages (test‑based yield).
3. HP Smart Tank 585/589 – Similar to the 580 with refillable tanks and manual duplex. ISO speeds: 12 ppm black, 5 ppm colour. Intended for shared everyday colour printing; buyers should compare exact product codes, supplied ink bottles, warranty and price bundles.
4. HP Smart Tank 720 – Adds automatic duplex (turns sheets inside printer). ISO speeds: up to 15 ppm black, 9 ppm colour. 250‑sheet input capacity. Supports borderless A4 printing. Scanner remains flatbed. Recommended for longer study packs and shared work.
5. HP Laser MFP 1188w – Monochrome laser, manual duplex, suited for text‑heavy families. Black‑and‑white speed up to 22 ppm. Recommended monthly volume: 100‑2,000 pages. Uses toner powder, eliminating ink‑drying concerns.
6. Epson EcoTank L3252 – Refillable colour tanks, manual duplex, supports borderless 4R (≈4 × 6 in) photo printing. ISO speeds: up to 10 ipm black, 5 ipm colour. Wi‑Fi and Wi‑Fi Direct enabled.
7. Canon PIXMA G3770 – Refillable colour tanks, manual duplex, small LCD. ISO speeds: up to 11 ipm monochrome, 6 ipm colour. Borderless printing for photos and crafts. Recommended monthly volume: 150‑1,500 pages. Paper‑type compatibility must be checked for craft media.
8. Brother DCP‑L2541DW – Monochrome laser with automatic duplex and 35‑sheet automatic document feeder (ADF). Speed up to 30 ppm black. 250‑sheet tray. Weighs about 11.2 kg, requiring a stable surface.
Running‑Cost Considerations
The release highlights that purchase price excludes ongoing expenses such as replacement ink or toner, paper and maintenance. It suggests calculating per‑page cost by dividing supply price by stated yield (e.g., a ₹1,000 bottle yielding 1,000 pages equals ₹1 per page, excluding paper). Ink‑tank printers have higher upfront cost but lower per‑page cost when volume is high; cartridge models may be cheaper initially but cost more per page at low volumes.
Setup and Usage Tips
- Place the printer within reliable Wi‑Fi coverage and ensure sufficient space for trays and scanner lid.
- Verify driver and app compatibility with household devices and operating systems.
- Perform a test print from each device after setup.
- Use print preview to avoid blank pages or scaling errors.
- Keep receipts and warranty details for future service.
Final Recommendation
HP advises starting with the Smart Tank 580 for families that need regular colour printing, moving to the Smart Tank 720 if automatic duplex saves time, or opting for the DeskJet 2878 for light use. Text‑focused households may consider the Laser MFP 1188w or Brother DCP‑L2541DW. Buyers should match the model to their monthly page volume, document types and available space.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a monochrome laser scan colour documents? Yes; monochrome refers only to printed output, not scanner capability.
- Does black‑only printing use only black ink? Not always; some ink‑jet models may use colour ink for maintenance or certain settings.
- Can children operate a family printer independently? Older children can learn basic printing with supervision; adults should handle setup, ink refilling and jam removal.
- Should a family buy a separate photo printer? Generally unnecessary unless frequent, specialised photo printing is required; check colour printer borderless capabilities first.
Disclaimer: The press release is provided under an arrangement with PNN; PTI assumes no editorial responsibility.