HP Multifunction Color Laser Printer: HP MFP-M177fw
Today I take a look at a sun $300 color laser printer that is also a scanner, fax, copier, built in apps, and more. The HP MFP M177fw is a multifunction color laser for the small to medium business. I took this printer through its paces.
HP ePrinter Apps
The M177fw comes with an app store. An MSNBC app prints out daily news and coupons. Not bad, but a tablet could do the same thing. Other apps allow you to print crossword puzzles, comics, planner information, coupons, and games for the kids to play. Out of all, the greeting card app seems to be the one to use most. Everything else can be done on tablet.
Get the HP MFP M177fw at Amazon
The Good: HP MFP M177fw
The quad-toner color laser printer sends high-quality prints from your computer, tablet or smarphone. With the adjoining HP ePrint app, you can easily setup your photos to print at home or while you are out taking pictures so your prints are ready when you get home.
The M177fw attaches to Ethernet landline or through Wifi. Setup is easy through the interface on the front. The 3 inch touchscreen display also directs you through scanning, or printing via USB.
The front tray holds 150 pages, and the output tray can hold 50 pages. The scanner contains a 35 page document feeder which does a good job bringing the pages in.
The Bad: HP M177fw Color Laser
The copy feature isn’t as robust as needed. While a more washed copy was expected, it took a little more color out than prefered.
Although the printer is under $300, the toner replacement can get to $200 per 500 pages. That brings the M177fw to 4.2 cents per black and white, with a 40 cent color page rate.
There is also no duplex feature. If you are doing any double-sided scanning you will have to either get creative or just go single sided.
Overall: HP M177fw Color Laser
The sub-$300 printer can become pretty costly if you are making lots of color copies. If you need to make quick copies and need a laser solution, the M177fw is a good start in the small to medium business.
Keep in mind the color toner will last longer if printing pages with smaller color footprints. Out of all the apps, making greeting cards looks to be the best idea. Cards still seems to be a paper-prefered practice. After all, you can’t hang a tablet on your cubical for everyone to read.
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