HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw
MSRP $569.00
“HP’s Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is one of those rare printers that’s an absolute joy to use.”
Pros
- Lightning-fast print speeds
- Good print quality
- Two paper trays
- Easy setup and use
- Reliable operation
Cons
- Fixed-angle, monochrome display
- Color cost per page is just OK
Printers aren’t exactly known for innovation. But every once and a while, one comes along that catches your attention. The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw did exactly that.
The printer builds on the company’s long legacy of quality laser printers with its new eco-friendly and energy-efficient TerraJet toner and its unique dial-based user interface.
Design
The Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw’s main paper tray holds 250 sheets, and the media tray holds 50 sheets. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is an attractive printer with a bold marine-blue front panel on a white body. It has a sturdy design but isn’t too bulky, with a footprint of 16.6 by 16.8 inches and standing 11.3 inches high. The weight is 36 pounds, so it’s not too heavy to move around when you need to.
The user interface of the Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is unique. To keep costs down, printer manufacturers often include buttons and a standard screen instead of a touchscreen. However, HP opted for a 4-line monochrome display and a dial, a clever choice.
HP gave the Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw a unique dial interface. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends
Printing performance
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw has very good print quality, even for photos. Digital Trends
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is built for speed without sacrificing quality. The first page shoots out in as little as nine seconds. For longer documents, pages roll out at 35 pages per minute (ppm). Color prints just as quickly as monochrome. Duplex speeds slow slightly to 31 ppm and save paper by using both sides.
HP’s TerraJet toner melts at lower temperatures, using 27% less energy and providing more consistent colors. In my tests, the Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw handled photos nearly as well as an inkjet printer and much more quickly.
Special features
The front-top USB port is handy for walk-up printing. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends
Software and compatibility
The Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw works with all my devices and prints well on a variety of media. Alan Truly / Digital Trends
The printer supports mobile printing and Google Cloud Print. The HP Smart app for iOS and Android allows users to check toner levels, monitor usage, and manage settings.
Is this the printer for you?
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is a great color laser printer that’s a joy to use. I like the retro dial interface. The print quality is exceptional, and the speed is impressive.
For small businesses, there’s plenty of capacity as your office grows. The recommended duty-cycle is 4,000 pages per month, but the printer can handle up to 50,000 pages to accommodate big projects. An optional 550-sheet paper tray means you don’t have to reload as often.
While the Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is an ideal choice for small businesses, it also works well for a home office. It’s affordable, not too large or heavy, and can handle anything you need from a printer.
Price: $569
Toner cost: 2 to 5 cents per page for monochrome printing, 12 to 20 cents per page for color printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the printer wireless?
A: Yes, the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw supports dual-band, self-healing Wi-Fi.
Q: How fast does it print?
A: The printer prints up to 35 pages per minute for monochrome documents and color prints, with duplex speeds slowing slightly to 31 ppm.
Q: What type of paper can it handle?
A: The printer can handle standard paper, cardstock, labels, envelopes, and other media types.
Q: Can it copy and scan?
A: No, the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is primarily a printer and can only print.
Q: How many pages can it handle?
A: The printer can handle up to 50,000 pages per month, making it ideal for small businesses with high print demands.