HP Officejet Pro 8100

Bottom Line

The HP Officejet Pro 8100 is a top-quality, efficient and affordable printer that doesn't waste ink. It produces good-quality text documents, graphics and photos at high speed.

Performance

Nice prints at high speeds. The HP Officejet Pro 8100 prints quickly: up to 20 pages per minute according to the manufacturer, which is even faster than some laser printers. Most reviewers are pleased with the print quality. PCMag.com says graphics are suitable for businesses and photos are on par with drugstore prints. However, PC World says that while output is "generally very good," the blacks are tinted charcoal and color photos tend to be oversaturated in its tests.

A typical user comment is that the 8100's ink cartridges last longer than expected, an unusual compliment given that ink usage is often a sore spot. "Print speed and ink cartridge life are paramount. This printer delivers," one Amazon.com reviewer notes. As always, the best economy can be realized by using the available high-capacity cartridges.

PC World complains that the drivers on the included disc -- specifically the Apple drivers -- are out of date, but that was remedied with OS X's add a printer function.

Features and Design

Great connectivity, duplex printing. The HP Officejet Pro 8100 isn't flush with features -- it lacks PictBridge support and a memory card reader, for example -- but it has a few extras worth mentioning. Connectivity options are exceptional: In addition to the usual USB hookup, you can connect via Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet network. Apple users can use AirPrint for printing from an iPhone, iPad or similar device via Wi-Fi. The printer also supports HP's ePrint service, with which users can email documents from any device like their smartphones directly to the 8100 for through-the-cloud printing.

A monochrome LCD screen shows operational information such as ink levels, Wi-Fi status and paper usage. The input tray holds an impressive 250 sheets, and the output tray holds 150 printed pages. Printing on both front and back, aka auto duplexing, is a nice convenience that can save time in busy offices, as is the inclusion of a USB cable in the box. One negative, especially for home users, is that the Officejet Pro 8100 isn't exactly petite; it measures about 19.5 by 18 by 8 inches, so plan your desk space appropriately.

The 8100 ships with starter cartridges that include enough ink to get you through the printer setup process and still print as many pages as a standard inkwell. That, and slightly lower ink consumption in tests, give it a small leg up on the well-regarded and very similar Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4020 (*Est. $100) . In truth, both are excellent options.

Durability

Built well. While reviewers don't post many comments on long-term usage, they're impressed with the build quality of the HP Officejet Pro 8100. PC World says, "The Officejet Pro 8100 seems sturdily built, and it's more than likely to outlast its one-year warranty." HP also offers a two-year extended warranty for a relatively modest cost. PC World notes that it takes the place of the standard warranty, but can be bought "any time within the first year -- so the longer you wait, the longer the total warranty."