HP LASERJET 3052 TONER CARTRIDGE

HP LaserJet 3052 Review

Overview:

When HP introduced the LaserJet 3052 in 2005, they added just about everything any small business will ever need in a 3-in-1. A combination monochrome laser printer, scanner, and copier, the 3052 has large memory capacity, high printing resolution, and PostScript support. 64MB of memory and built-in networking make this multi-function machine ready for long-term use.

Pros:

Unlike the LaserJet 3050, which uses a top-load paper feed, the 27-pound 3052 opts for the more traditional flat glass platen for scanning and copying. The platen design also allows for copying and scanning of items such as books or magazines, something that cannot be done with top-loaders without tearing the pages out.

Although a USB or computer network connection is required to run the printer, the control panel allows for the LaserJet 3052 to also function as a walk-up standalone machine for the other features. Scanning and copying controls to be performed without the need for a computer interface.

The LaserJet 3052 can hold up to 250 sheets of letter-sized or legal-size paper up to 20 pounds paper weight. Above the 250-sheet paper tray is what HP calls a “priority input slot” for envelopes and transparencies up to 80 pound paper weight. It called “priority” because any media placed in the slot will immediately be used for the next print job, eliminating the “manual start print control” normally required when using multipurpose trays.

As a printer, the 3052 connects to your Mac or PC through USB 2.0, or via its built-in Ethernet. Having a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi, the LaserJet prints excellent high-resolution monochrome text and graphics at speeds up to 19 pages per minute. Understanding the printing needs of today’s businesses and the software applications and suites they often use, HP has installed PCL 5e, PCL 6, and PostScript 3 emulators.

While prints and copies are in B & W, the 3052 can scan in straight black-and-white, 256 grayscale or in 24-bit color. The optical resolution is 1200 dpi, and the included software can enhance it to a much higher resolutions. The scanning feature has software support for TWAIN, STI, and Microsoft’s WIA protocols.

The top-loading automatic document feeder allows for 30 single-sided originals up to 8.5” x 12”. The LaserJet 3052 can make up to 99 copies at the rate of 19 monochrome pages per minute. Copy magnification ranges from 25% to 400%. Copy quality can be set either manually, automatic adjustment of contrast, text or photo modes.

HP equipped the 3052 with a surprising 64MB of memory. There is no expansion for additional memory but 64MB can handle just about any single print job or network printing requests.

Cons:

60 decibels is the level of talking in a room. Now imagine that sound level in your office in the form of a printer. While practically silent in Standby, the LaserJet produces 63dB during power, wakeup, and printing. Fortunately the built-in Ethernet of the 3052 allows the all-in-one to be located anywhere in an office.

The only item that would have made this the perfect 3-in-one would have been if the automatic document feeder could scan 2-sided originals and duplex printing.