HP printers can't stop, won't stop

HP is poised and ready to send a barrage of printers to our office, and to that we say, "Bring it on!" This won't be the first time we've been deluged with printers from HP, and we're eager to get back in the ring. Need proof? Just last August, we became a storage shed for HP's massive photo printer rollout. This time around, it's the small and medium business side that gets a product boost with 11 new inkjet and laserjet printers that HP claims will increase flexibility and grab attention at a lower price point. Some of the printers will be released March 1 with the rest following suit in the coming months. Let's size up the beast:

Officejets:

HP Officejet J3680 All-in-One

(Credit: HP)

Officejet J3600 All-in-One: This compact Jack of all trades not only prints up to 20 black and white pages per minute, but also features a scanner capable of producing up to 1200dpi, 48-bit color.

Officejet J4580 All-in-One: Although the J4580 takes up a little more desk space, it more than makes up for it with its workhorse print speeds, up to 28 black and 22 color pages per minute. HP also conveniently includes several free templates to create personalized marketing materials.

Officejet J6480 All-in-One: This model includes a triumvirate of connectivity options including a USB port, an Ethernet port, and a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g port to appease even the cord-phobic printing crowd. The J6480 also blazes through black and white prints as a blinding 31 pages per minute. We're anxious to speed-test this baby.

Officejet L7590 All-in-One: Boasting a 50-sheet automatic document feeder and auto duplexing, the L7590 is made for the hardest of the hardcore. Ethernet? Check. High scan resolution? Check. Green-friendly paper saving? Check. Combination hookah and coffee maker? Maybe next time.

Laserjets:

USPS sticker not included

(Credit: HP)

Color LaserJet CM1312/CM1312nfi: The CM1312 is HP's lowest priced color laserjet printer. It also incorporates the "Print Cost Estimator," which HP claims will allow you to compare the cost of printing in-house versus using a print shop. We're a little curious as to why HP wouldn't just guarantee a lower cartridge price point or higher ink capacity to market the CM1312, but features are features and we'll be sure to get this one in to test its usefulness. The CM1312 is essentially the same device but throws a fax into the mix

Color LaserJet CP1215: Price is the main selling point of the CP1215--those of you on a budget will appreciate this one: it's HP's lowest priced color laser printer EVER. HP lives up to its promise of quality and price without compromise, but it does so by sacrificing significant style points. If you're looking for a svelte, sexy case, well...this ain't it.

Color LaserJet CP1515n: We can overlook the fact that this thing looks like a mailbox in disguise by focusing on its comprehensive features. This printer incorporates HP's ImageREt, capable of automatically enhancing your prints using "intelligent calibration, Image Mode, HP Smart printing supplies with new HP ColorSphere toner, and automatic media-type sensing."

Color LaserJet CP1518ni: Optimized for the SMB crowd, the CP1518ni promises to increase flexibility by incorporating a photo memory card slot into the body, effectively allowing the user to save time by eliminating the need for a computer. Alternatively, if you have a PictBridge-enabled device such as the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III or the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300, you can plug it directly into the built-in USB port.

LaserJet M1319f: Multitasking is made easy with this LaserJet's four-in-one functionality. In addition to a printer, fax, copier, and scanner, the M1319 boosts productivity by drawing its power and memory from the host computer, which lets the printer focus on more complex jobs. One of the more practical features is the "Instant-on" technology that delivers the first copy from power off to finished product in seconds.

LaserJet M1522: Work groups and IT departments will want to check out the LaserJet 1522 for its simple setup design and ease of use. The all in one print cartridge is a spherically shaped toner that seamlessly installs into the device. Multiple users can connect to the machine via a 10/100 wired Ethernet port, and its 450 MHz processor is up to the challenge of even the most graphic-intensive jobs.

HP's newest line of SMB printers are simple and to the point. They aim to provide the most utility and include a comprehensive set of features, while maintaining an affordable price for home and small offices on a budget. Though most of these printers won't win any beauty pageants, we're excited to put them through their paces.