For those looking for an affordable, entry-level colour laser printer, the HP Colour LaserJet 2600n is a solid choice with great usability and textual print quality.
Design
The LaserJet 2600n is a laser printer for those who are looking for an affordable model and don't need all the bells and whistles of higher-end models. True to this mission, the printer includes support for wired networking but leaves out support for the more modern (and increasingly common) wireless networking features supported by its peers.
While this affordable laser printer produces stunning pages of black text, with sharp typography and deep, rich blacks, it can take a while for it to finally finish the job. The LaserJet 2600n produces about 7 pages per minute, no matter if those pages are black text, full colour images, or something in between. Many competing models can do the same job in half the time - or even a third the amount of time it takes this model.
Advantages
You won't find a complex array of functions and buttons on the outside of the HP 2600n, and that's because the printer is just that - a printer. It does not fax, scan, or copy documents on its own. While this loss of functionality might disappoint some business users, it makes the printer a perfect fit for less demanding home or home office users, and it ends up making this laser printer particularly easy to use. HP has designed the printer so that installing a replacement HP 2600n toner is easy.
Disadvantages
Though its price point is comparatively low, there are a few catches that apply to the HP 2600n's accessible price: it ships without a USB cable, so it will require the user to purchase a separate cable in order to be connected to a desktop or wired router. HP 2600n toner for also tends to be more expensive than for comparable models from other manufacturers, which can be a drawback for those who will use the printer heavily.
The bottom line, however, is that this colour laser printer is a great entry-level model for home users. Its low price tag may finally encourage some consumers to ditch their tired inkjet printer once and for all. With clear text printing and vibrant image quality, the speed at which it prints pages can be easily overlooked. As long as potential buyers consider the expense of a USB cable as well as toner refills before purchasing, there's no reason to bypass this model in stores.
