LaserJet CP1025nw Color
Company: HP
$179.00 US
HP LaserJet CP1025nw Color is the most affordable SOHO (small office, home office) color laser printer HP has ever produced, and the best printer in this category we have reviewed at MyMac. Unpacking takes a couple of minutes. Weight and bulk are minimal. Wireless software installation and setup take a few more minutes, without any glitches whatsoever. Color laser toner ships pre-installed, requiring no annoying and possibly messy acquaintance with the printer’s internal components. In a word, hallelujah.
The printer communicates with computers via USB, Ethernet cable, or WiFi. The latter is being used to test HP LaserJet CP1025nw Color because wireless printing is the SOHO trend. HP claims this model is the “world’s smallest color laser printer,” and it certainly has a tiny footprint and physical presence, plus attractive design.
A Macintosh sends its document info to the printer almost instantly, and completed prints emerge seconds later. When I click PRINT on my MacBook Pro, which is in my house, the printer completes basic print jobs before I can dash out to my studio office, thirty feet away, as fast as I can run.
HP provided three different paper types for this review. Below are the results:
LASERJET PAPER = excellent print quality for all color and black documents, and very high quality for standard paper stock
GLOSSY BROCHURE PAPER = substantial weight and feel, but color prints are slightly darker than on LaserJet Paper above
MATTE BROCHURE PAPER = medium weight and feel, with a slightly subdued and less saturated color presence.
Laser printers continue to be primarily for high quality documents, when compared to the stellar photo prints possible from ink jet printers. Color photos look accurate printed from HP LaserJet CP1025nw Color when the original images are bright and clear. Be prepared for a slight darkening of all colors and shadow detail. Unless you have specific needs for heavier paper stock, HP’s LaserJet Paper is a great first choice. Our test printer gave imperfect results with the Glossy Brochure Paper, including some toner streaking, so we can not recommend this paper stock.
Spend a few minutes reading Internet customer reviews of this new printer. Most users love it, but some people have specific issues. Be aware of them before you buy this very affordable color laser printer.
MyMac will test HP’s claims of wireless ePrint and “wireless direct” mobile device printing in a follow up article on this new technology. As soon as the toner cartridge(s) need to be replaced, MyMac plans to describe this process.
Here is HP’s Internet addresses for this printer and its supplies.
MyMac Review Rating: 8 out of 10