Much like its sister unit, the HP Color LaserJet 1600, the HP Color LaserJet 2600n operates at painfully slow print speeds. Unlike the 1600 though, the 2600n comes equipped with more than one worthwhile feature, including networking capabilities and full color printing. While the unit itself sports some much needed upgrades over its sibling, HP has, for some reason, neglected the fact that, for a laser printer, 8 pages per minute in black and white is unacceptable.

Color print times also run at 8 pages per minute, which is actually acceptable. Monochrome printing, however, is completely offensive and therefore the HP Color LaserJet 2600n should be considered for purchase exclusively for the purpose of adding a color capable laser printer to an office network. Using the 2600n as a standard black and white laser is preposterous.

A maximum monthly duty cycle of 35,000 printed sheets almost seems completely unnecessary, as the HP Color LaserJet 2600n is obviously designed as a light duty printer. On top of the high speed USB 2.0 port, a built in Ethernet port is also available for wired networking so, even at sluggish speeds, with an entire office sharing the device it’s possible that some use could come out of it.

Weighing in at just over 40 pounds, the HP Color LaserJet 2600n is just about average in weight for a color laser printer, and it’s footprint of 16 x 17.8 inches is also fairly standard. The unit’s height of 14.6 inches is smaller than many, but will increase if an additional paper storage tray is incorporated. The second tray comes with a 250 sheet capacity to match the unit’s standard 250 sheets, and brings the HP Color LaserJet 2600n’s total potential paper storage to a respectable 500 pages. Special media types rely exclusively on a single sheet priority slot, as no multi purpose tray is included with the hardware.

A 125 sheet output bin should help to store printed pages in ample supply, and a very powerful 264 MHz processor helps to, if nothing else, keep print speed at its full, limited potential, along with 16 MBs of standard print memory that is not upgradable. An easy to read two line LCD control panel does assist in keeping users updated on printer and supply information, but offers only a limited selection of fine tuning options.

HP has at least taken the liberty to ship this now discontinued device with a full 2,500 page HP Color LaserJet Black Print Cartridge and full 2,000-page HP Color LaserJet cyan, magenta, and yellow print cartridges, allowing the user to get projects started on the HP Color LaserJet 2600n right out of the box. HP also includes with the package a full year limited hardware warranty which includes phone and web support, as well as a return to authorized service center exchange policy.

The only reason to buy an HP Color LaserJet 2600n would be to save money on an older unit, sacrificing the benefits of current color laser technology. Considering the minimal price difference, investing in a newer model would definitely be worth the extra cash.

For more information:

http://printdocs.org/2010/02/26/hp-color-laserjet-2600n-laser-printing-at-8-ppm/