HP LASERJET M9040MFP TONER CARTRIDGE - HIGH YIELD

HP LaserJet M9040MFP Review

Overview:

For offices or departments that need a serious all-in-1 multifunction printer that can handle up to 50,000 pages a month, HP has the 2008 HP LaserJet M9040MFP. A true multi-function printer, the M9040 offers the copying, scanning, printing, and optional faxing all in a single package.  With gigabit Ethernet built in, this large-format MFP has 1200 x 1200 dpi printing, with scanning and copy speeds up to 40 pages per minute.  Adding attachments like the Mailbox, Stacker, Stapler, and Multifunction Finisher morphs the multifunction into a small all-in-one publisher.

Pros:

Starting at 317 pounds, the LaserJet M9040 is definitely not something to sit on a desktop. The 47” height does bring this floor model multi-function to a comfortable height for someone standing next to it manually making copies or scanning. The control panel gives a person full control of copy and scanning features without the need to install special HP software on their computer.

Using HP’s instant-on fuser technology, print can start as fast as 8 seconds with print speeds up to 40ppm.  Printing in monochrome, the native 600 x 600 dpi resolution can be digitally enhanced up to 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, to keep text and fine line drawings sharp, and photographs clear. The built-in duplexer saves on paper with two-sided printing.

In addition to the standard USB 2.0 interface, the M9040 has built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networks.  Starting with 384MB of memory that can be expanded to 512MB, the M9040 can easily handle any print job or quantity from a networked workgroup.

This HP has some serious paper capacity. There are two sliding paper trays, each tray able to hold up to a ream of paper, from sizes up to 11” x 17”. A third tray is actually a 2000 sheet drawer, bringing paper capacity up to 3,100.  The three-tray feature is especially nice in a networked office where legal and letter size papers are often used throughout the day. Non-standard sizes from 4” x 7.5” to 12.3” x 18.5”, up to 100 sheets and 58# bond can be placed on the multi-purpose flip-tray on the side of the copier.

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 diverse office. Emulators include HP PCL5e, PCL6, PJL, PML, XHTML-Print, and PostScript3. The M9040 also offers Adobe’s “PDF-Direct” print, which enables PDF files to be sent directly to the LaserJet for printing without opening an Acrobat application. Additionally, the M9040 offers 80 scalable TrueType typefaces.

The M9040 uses an 11.7” x 17” platen to support scanning up to ledger size single documents and books.  The duplexing automatic document feeder (DADF) allows for two-sided scanning of 100 originals, in sizes up to 11” x 17” Ledger.

As a copier, the multifunction has different exposure modes & resolutions up to 600 x 600 dpi. The magnification can be automatically or manually changed from 25% to 400%, and up to 999 B&W copies can be made at 40 pages per minute, 25 two-sided ppm.

While a monochrome copier and printer, the M9040 can scan in color as well as in 220 grayscale. Items can be scanned using the DADF or directly on the 11.7” x 17” glass platen. Items can be saved in the popular PDF, JPEG, and TIFF formats. This multifunction also can store scanned images in its optional hard drive and send it directly as e-mail or through software installed on your computer.

The fax option gives transmission speeds up to 33.6kbs for about a 4-second/page transmission rate.  Using the automatic document feeder, up to 100 pages can be scanned on both sides. Other features include 100 speed-dial numbers, 100-location broadcasting, and auto-redialing.

If you think this printer has it all, there are still more options you can add to the M9040. For small press and reprographic departments, an optional stapler, a 3,000-sheet stacker, 8-bin mailbox, and multi-function finisher are available. All of these can be easily attached to the LaserJet 9040 by the end user with a few simple tools.

Software on the CD is for Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. It’s consists of drivers and a network utility for both and some extra printing preferences for Wintel users. Unless you want all those bells and whistles, it’s faster and more manageable to just install the printer drivers using your operating system’s printer configuration section.

As a network printer, HP has a great web-based administrator utility that allows an administrator to easily monitor and manage all of the printer’s functions and security, using any web browser to access the printer’s IP.

Cons:

Practically silent in idle, the M9040 is quite noisy when printing and copying. At 58dB, the multi-purpose is louder than a room full of people talking.  But since the M9040 will likely be stationed in a copy room and not be plopped down inside someone’s office, the noise should not cause a disturbance with co-workers.