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Sleek and functional design
With a boxy yet curvy new design that drew admiring comments from CNET editors, the LaserJet 1200 looks completely different from the LaserJet 1100xi. Most of the changes are for the better. On the good side, the toner cartridge slides out for easy removal when you open the front panel--no more digging into the printer's interior. But when you do need to get into the guts of the machine, to connect an interface cable or to upgrade the RAM, for instance, you must first open the front toner panel and then pop off the left side panel. While this design puts everything at your fingertips and keeps the cables neatly in check, we found the process unnecessarily complicated.
Not expandable, but networkable
The LaserJet 1200 also handles paper much differently than did its predecessor. The LaserJet 1200 can take 250 sheets of input and 125 output, compared to the LaserJet 1100xi's 125/100. The input tray's clear plastic cover pulls double duty as the manual input for heavy paper and envelopes; a straight-through output path exits at the back of the printer. However, while the LaserJet 1200 takes more paper than its predecessor, we were still a little disappointed that it couldn't expand further to accommodate small but busy workgroups. Users who suspect their paper-handling needs will increase might be better served by the NEC SuperScript 1400 or the Xerox DocuPrint P1210, both of which offer maximum input capacities of more than 800 sheets.
Although its limited paper capacity makes it suitable only for small workgroups at the most, the LaserJet 1200 is in fact networkable. You can attach an HP JetDirect 175X for $199. Network-ready and copy/scan-ready versions of the LaserJet 1200 are available for $599 and $529, respectively.
Free phone support for life
The LaserJet 1200's one-year parts and labor warranty is shorter than we'd like. You can extend it by an additional year for $89. HP's phone support lasts beyond the warranty term and costs nothing, but the call itself is on your dime. Support hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. MT Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The HP Web site offers the usual support options, including current drivers, FAQs, manuals, and troubleshooting tips.
SOHO users and small workgroups who can live with the HP LaserJet 1200's paper-handling limitations will probably be thrilled with everything else about it. Based on its speed and output quality, the LaserJet 1200 is an excellent choice, and its sleek design and optional copy/scan attachment make it even harder to resist.
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Where to buy
HP LaserJet 1200:
$139.99 - $184.35
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$184.35 | Yes |
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Cheap HP Printers
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$169.00 | No |
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