Fast and versatile, Hewlett-Packard's new LaserJet 2100 delivers flawless (1200x1200 dot-per-inch) text and gray-scale output. This printer is packed with convenient features-including an infrared port, optional third paper tray and wide range of supported paper sizes, from 3 by 5 inches to 8.5 by 14 inches-at an extremely competitive price. It's faster and less expensive than the HP LaserJet 4000 TN, and competes with the NEC SuperScript 1260N. The LaserJet 2100's economical, high-capacity black toner cartridge delivers prints for less than 2 cents per page.
The LaserJet 2100 ships in three configurations: a basic PC model (the 2100se), one with HP PostScript Level II emulation (the 2100M) and a network-enabled model with PostScript emulation and PCL6 support (the 2100TN). The LaserJet 2100TN I tested included a built-in 10/100BaseT 600N JetDirect card and bundled JetAdmin software. I set up the unit on a Windows 98/95 TCP/IP network in less than 15 minutes.
In our tests, the HP LaserJet 2100TN was equally fast through 10BaseT and local enhanced capability ports (ECPs), and delivered our 20-page text-only document at 9.5 pages per minute at either 600dpi or 1200dpi. Our three-page mixed text and graphics document printed at 5.45ppm at 600dpi and at 4.75ppm at 1200dpi. The printer produced smooth, crisp text and well-defined gray-scale shading. Solid areas were truly solid, displaying no stripes, while Excel bar charts displayed no hint whatsoever of jaggies.
The LaserJet 2100 also includes an infrared port for wireless printing with IrDA-enabled devices.The HP LaserJet 2100 is an affordable workhorse. Its versatile features and high-quality output make it well suited for use as either a personal or workgroup printer. It easily joins our WinList; model TN replaces both the HP LaserJet 4000TN and the NEC SuperScript 1260N.