HP LASERJET 1012 LASER PRINTER REVIEW

Hewlett-Packard's most affordable laser printer, the $199.99 monochrome Laserjet 1012, is reliable and easy to use, turning out crisp text and graphics. This printer picks up the pace, too, printing at almost 13 pages per minute (ppm) in CNET's tests (HP rates the Laserjet 1012's print speed at a snappy 15ppm). And HP packs plenty of useful features for SOHO users, such as double-sided printing and watermarks, into this small and lightweight package. But beware: background applications can interfere with the Laserjet 1012's software installation, and you'll need to buy your own USB cable and pay above-average per-page costs for printing. With its small-capacity paper tray and limited RAM, this printer won't survive as an office workhorse, but it is a quality choice for students and families.