HP Laser Jet 3050 All in One Printer/Copy/Scanner (White/Black)

List Price: $382.00 Discount Price: $229.00

Features:

• Multifunction system performs black-and-white printing, copying, faxing, and black-and-white and color scanning
• Built-in support for all popular print languages; control panel has intuitive, two-line, 16-character backlit display
• Includes 64 MB RAM and durable, long-lasting engine; prints up to 19ppm and has a monthly volume of up to 7,000 pages
• Dimensions: 16.9 x 18.1 x 17.3 inches (WxHxD); weighs 22 pounds
• All-in-one system comes with a one-year limited warranty

Accessories:

GGI Universal USB Printer Starter and Maintenence Kit - Prk-01

Customer Reviews:

Nice printing, never jams, poor Mac support, expensive per copy [Posted on 2008-02-15]
I've had this printer for nearly a year. Very good quality output, pretty speedy, scan and fax work fine. Super reliable, and out of tens of thousands of copies, I think I've had one jam. That's the good news.

The bad news comes in two types:

1. Mac support is essentially non-existent for Leopard users. Cannot scan without weird work-arounds that you don't want to try. Manual duplex causes every other page to print upside down. The drivers have not been updated for Leopard.

2. The cost of toner is high. You get 2,000 sheets from a cartridge, which costs about $60 (Costco) or more. To make this worse, the printer never gives you warning when toner is low. If you are, for example, printing 50 copies, the toner could run out after copy 2, giving you 48 misprinted sheets that are destined for the recycle bin. Since the sheets exit face down, you cannot see this happening until it is too late.

I've been trying to find a highly-rated equivalent printer (laser all in one) that works well on the Mac, and when I do, this 3050 will be gone.

A good Multi Function option from HP under $1000 [Posted on 2008-03-01]
I am a network administrator and have purchased dozens of HP printers. In the past 4 years, MFC HP (with a flat bed scanner) priced below $1000 have proven poor quality and are likely to fail after the 2nd year. This fact proved the same for low cost Brother MFC devices as well. This experience is with my full time job. The HP 33xx series is OK for very lite use, but is not a good choice for normal or heavy use. HP devices such as 3027 and 3545 devices have proven to be good quality and reliable.

I purchased the HP 3050 for personal business. 4 years ago, I helped a family member setup a HP 3015 for her business and it is still working fine. The HP 3015 is a reliable and dependable device. The 4 year old 3015 gets heavy use for all functions. Model 3050 replaced the 3015. In my opinion, the design/engineering of this printer is excellent and the reason it is dependable. Skip the flat bed if you don't need it! I have an excellent Epson scanner that was on sale for $35. Keep your flat bed separate if you don't have the budget for an HP 3027 or 3545.

The HP software makes the printer easy to use. The scan to pdf feature can replace a fax (outgoing). It is great. I find the HP software easier to use and operate when compared to Brother software.

The above is personal opinion from actual experience.

Ryan

Shame on HP - only printer works with Vista!! [Posted on 2008-03-04]
HP has evidently become lazy - just because most of the home computing world that buys a laptop today is forced to endure Vista (oh, I loved XP!) why on earth should HP be bothered to provide drivers that work for the scanning or faxing features of this all-in-one? BEWARE - it will print and copy but it is useless if you have Vista. Oh yes, and despite numerous calls, emails, postings on their forums...they don't respond, don't care - s*cks to be you if you bought this!

Skip this one... [Posted on 2008-03-05]
After less than a year in service, we have a solid line down the page on every print/copy job. Replacing the toner unit didn't work, cleaning the scan glass didn't work. HP says it must be a toner unit problem, but replacing them repeatedly is expensive - and not working. The unit is going to the garbage dump today. Poor servicability.

HP 3050 solid choice for small office [Posted on 2008-04-02]
Have owned for 2 months and working great, well worth $200. Also purchased 2 year extended warranty. As long as you don't need the flatbed scanner portion on the 3055 for an additional $100, this is a great fax/printer/copier. I use in a small office where we get 50 faxes per day. I do not have it hooked up to a PC as it is not network friendly. 12A Toner is inexpensive at $60 and quick and easy to change. Says good for 2000 copies. Only negative is you cannot add to a network, wired or wireless. The 3050 costs about the same as the old brother toner & drum replacements. The Brother is now in the trashcan and lovin the HP 3050.

Click here for more details and discount information...