With cost effectiveness and size prioritized over speed and performance, the HP LaserJet 1020 stands as a middle of the road personal laser printer that is the right size and scope for a home business, or small office. With average features across the board, the LaserJet 1020 is a great example of a consumer level device with the power and quality of laser technology.
While a surprising amount of printers on the market today advertise only their maximum print speed at low quality resolution, the HP LaserJet 1020 shows its true colors and lets its 15 page per minute in best quality mode print speed shine. This speed stands even when utilizing HP’s REt resolution enhancement/ HP Fastres 1200 mode which turns 600 x 600 dot per inch standard resolution into what is effectively 1200 dots per inch.
The HP LaserJet 1020’s maximum monthly duty cycle tops out at a very minimal 5,000 imprinted pages per month; a number which is reduced even further when noting that HP’s recommended usage level is only 250 to 2,000 pages per month for optimal performance. With duty cycles this low, it is clear that the device was never intended for super high output or constant use. That being said, HP does back its product with their one year limited warranty that includes not only a year of web and telephone based tech support, but a limited replacement policy as well.
Standing at dimensions of 14.6 x 9.5 x 8.2 in. (W x D x H) when folded up, and 14.6 x 14.2 x 8.2 in. when fully extended, the HP LaserJet 1020 certainly qualifies as a personal, desktop device. With such a small footprint, this laser printer could easily squeeze onto most desks or shelves. Its weight of only 11 pounds also ensures optimal mobility for this non-network ready device.
With 2 MBs of standard memory that is not upgradable, the HP LaserJet 1020 should handle large or complicated printing tasks without incident, along with the help of a powerful 234 MHz processor. First page out time clocks in at under ten seconds, meaning downtime is reduced to a minimum thanks to HP’s no wait technology.
An input capacity composed of a 150 sheet standard tray, plus a single sheet priority slot, means that not only will refill cycles be long, but special media types can be utilized as well with the HP LaserJet 1020 thanks to the hand feeding option. Transparencies, greeting cards, and custom letter head are just a few of the custom options compatible with the printer.
The device can also manage up to 15 envelopes at a time, and holds up to 100 sheets in its output tray. There is not built in duplexor, but the HP LaserJet 1020 does offer a manual duplex mode for double sided printing purposes which can not only cut down paper costs significantly, but add a professional feel to work loads as well. An Energy Star certification and a comprehensive HP software package confirm the HP LaserJet 1020’s standing as a smart buy for the individual user.
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