Hp Pagewide Pro 477dw Color All In One Business Printer
In today's fast-paced business environment, efficiency is paramount. Offices require technology that can keep up with demanding workloads without sacrificing quality or cost-effectiveness. The HP PageWide Pro 477dw aims to address these needs, but does it truly deliver on its promises of speed, affordability, and professional-grade output?
This comprehensive review delves into the HP PageWide Pro 477dw, a color all-in-one business printer designed for small to medium-sized businesses. We’ll examine its key features, performance metrics, cost analysis, and overall suitability for various office environments. Our goal is to provide a balanced assessment, drawing upon official specifications, user reviews, and independent testing data to help businesses make informed purchasing decisions.
Key Features and Specifications
The HP PageWide Pro 477dw boasts impressive specifications on paper. It leverages HP's PageWide technology, a stationary printhead system designed for faster printing speeds compared to traditional laser or inkjet printers.
According to HP's official data, the 477dw can achieve print speeds of up to 55 pages per minute (ppm) in black and white and color in draft mode. In professional quality mode, speeds are quoted around 30-40 ppm, still highly competitive.
The printer offers a variety of connectivity options, including wired Ethernet, wireless networking, and USB. It also supports mobile printing via HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print, catering to the modern mobile workforce.
Print Quality and Performance
Independent testing confirms the PageWide Pro 477dw's speed advantages, particularly for text-based documents. However, achieving the maximum quoted speeds often requires specific document settings and may not be realistic for everyday use.
Print quality is generally very good, producing sharp text and vibrant colors suitable for professional documents and marketing materials. Photo printing, while decent, is not its strongest suit, as some users have noted slight banding or color inaccuracies.
Duplex printing (automatic two-sided printing) is a standard feature, contributing to paper savings and environmental responsibility. The input tray can hold up to 500 sheets of paper, reducing the frequency of refills.
Cost Analysis and Consumables
The upfront cost of the HP PageWide Pro 477dw is relatively competitive within its class. However, the true cost of ownership lies in the price and yield of replacement ink cartridges.
HP offers high-yield ink cartridges for the 477dw, which can help reduce the cost per page. Third-party ink cartridges are also available, but using them may void the printer's warranty or compromise print quality.
Compared to laser printers, the PageWide Pro 477dw typically offers a lower cost per page for color printing, making it an attractive option for businesses that print frequently in color. Power consumption is also relatively low, further contributing to cost savings.
User Experience and Reliability
The HP PageWide Pro 477dw features a user-friendly touchscreen interface that simplifies operation and maintenance. Setting up the printer is straightforward, and the intuitive menu system makes it easy to access various features and settings.
User reviews generally praise the printer's speed and reliability. However, some users have reported occasional paper jams or issues with printhead alignment.
Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the printhead, is essential to maintain optimal performance and prevent print quality problems. HP provides clear instructions and tools for performing these tasks.
Conclusion: Is the HP PageWide Pro 477dw Right for Your Business?
The HP PageWide Pro 477dw is a compelling option for small to medium-sized businesses that require a fast, reliable, and cost-effective color all-in-one printer. Its speed and efficiency are particularly well-suited for offices with high-volume printing needs.
While photo printing may not be its forte, the 477dw excels at producing professional-quality documents and marketing materials. The relatively low cost per page, especially for color printing, makes it an attractive alternative to laser printers.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to purchase the HP PageWide Pro 477dw depends on the specific needs and priorities of your business. Weighing the printer's strengths and weaknesses against your budget and printing requirements will help you make an informed choice. Future models may address the minor drawbacks identified, further solidifying HP's PageWide technology as a leader in business printing solutions.
