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Add OnsHP LaserJet 5100 Review
Editor's Review
by Mel Meyers 08/27/2010
HP LaserJet 5100 by Mel Meyers 08/27/2010
OVERVIEW:
When it comes to ledger-sized paper printing, the numbers of machines available are limited. If you also need it in a compact desktop design, look to the 2002 Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 5100. With a smaller footprint than most ledger or tabloid-size printers, the LaserJet still delivers true 1200 x 1200 dpi resolutions at speeds up to 22 ppm, with options to triple its existing paper capacity and print workloads.
Editor's Pros & Cons
PROS:
CONS:
PROS:
Like most LaserJets, the 5100 comes in three different models: The basic 5100 with 16MB of memory; the 5100tn with a network card, 32MB memory and an additional 500-sheet tray; the 5100dtn is the duplex version of the “tn” model. The network, memory, and extra paper trays are available as optional accessories and can be easily added to any printer with nothing more than a screwdriver.
The 5100 comes with some serious paper capacity. A 250-sheet cassette tray that can support paperweights from 16# to 28#, and sizes ranging from 7-1/3” x 10.5” up to 11” x 17”. The 5100’s multi-purpose flip-tray can support up to 100 sheets of papers and cardstock up to 53#, envelopes, and transparencies. Additional paper trays can be stacked to give the LaserJet 5100 a maximum capacity of 1,100 ledger-size sheets.
Image quality is not sacrificed with the LaserJet 5100. Having print speeds up to 22 pages per minute, the LaserJet offers up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi printing resolutions. At 1200 dpi, the 5100 keeps text sharp--even at 6-point font sizes--and does a decent job with printing graphics in B&W. With an instant-on fuser system, there are no more long wake-up times when the printer is in power save mode. While other printers can take as long as 30 seconds, the LaserJet 5100 starts printing in under 13 seconds. Like all LaserJets, the 5100 comes with a toner save mode to conserve on ink.
The base LaserJet 5100 comes with 16MB of memory and requires direct connection to a computer via its parallel port. The 5100 comes with three DIMM memory slots for adding more memory up to 192MB. And if you need a network printer, a JetDirect network card can be added in on for the two available I/O slots just for that purpose. A good rule of thumb for an office or department network printer is to have at least 64BM of memory.
The alphanumeric 2-line LCD display, LEDs and 6-button controls are relatively intuitive, taking up little space on the printer’s surface. Through the panel, a user can make adjustments from default paper sizes all the way to fuser power adjustments.
Understanding the printing needs of today’s businesses in providing support for the major software applications, HP has installed a full set for print emulators that should satisfy the most offices. Emulators include PostScript3, PCL5e, and PCL6.
CONS:
This is one loud printer. It’s interesting that HP downplays the noise factor by listing the specs in bels, instead of the normal decibels. In HP’s documentation the 5100 generates “6.6 bels” of sound. This translates to 66 decibels. To give you an idea what that means: 65dB is the level of loud conversations and 70 dB is the volume level of vacuum cleaners. You don’t want to have this printer next to someone’s cubicle, much less inside the cubicle!
INK/TONER NEEDS:
The LaserJet 5100 toner and drum are integrated in a single cartridge, making it easy to maintain. It comes with the standard 10,000-sheet yield toner cartridge. (None of that partially-full, “starter toner” nonsense.). If your business intends to use this printer in payroll for check printing--and here’s where you probably want the 5100 directly cabled to a single computer--a 10,000-page Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) ink cartridge can be purchased.
