The HP LaserJet 2600 color laser printer is one of HP’s most popular models, and is also one of the most affordable entries into the laser printing arena.  While it does not have the print quality of more expensive models, it makes a great choice for small offices or those on a budget who need the occasional color print.

The unit comes in three models.  The 2600 is the base model, the 2600N adds networking, and the 2600DN adds both networking and automatic duplexing.  Both options are very valuable to an office network, and buyers should factor the benefits of both features when considering the higher price of these models.  If sharing the printer across a network is a requirement, the ethernet networking support will be a must, as it makes connecting the printer to a network dead simple.  Cnet praised the networking in the 2600N model, and compared it to many competing units which do not have networking included at a similar price.  Automatic duplexing may not seem like a necessary feature for many office users, but when enabled as the default printing mode, it can reduce paper costs by nearly half.  This savings can really add up in a busy office, though duplex prints are not always practical for all situations.

HP 2600 toner cartridges have a capacity of 2,000 pages for each color cartridge, and 2,500 for each black cartridge.  Hardwarecentral.com praised HP for including full-size HP toner cartridges, rather than the “starter” cartridges of many competitors.  Cnet found its toner cartridges expensive to replace, but using third-party compatible cartridges will alleviate some of this cost for users.  For example, using compatible cartridges will cost around $152 for all four cartridges, compared to $332 for the OEM branded cartridges, a savings of around $180 each time the cartridges are replaced.

  Reviews of the LaserJet 2600 are generally mixed.  Cnet praised its low price and excellent black printing quality, but thought its speeds are slow and its toner is expensive.  Hardwarecentral.com highly recommended the HP 2600 over similar under-$800 color laser printers, but didn’t like its slow printing speeds and lackluster photo quality.  PC Magazine gave it an Editor’s Choice award, and praised the inclusion of a network connection in the N models, which most competing units do not include for the price.

Overall, the HP 2600 has a lot to offer for a home or small office environment.  Its excellent text quality and decent color quality come in a compact and affordable package.  Using compatible toner cartridges makes it a very affordable printer.  Automatic duplexing can save on paper costs, but costs a bit more upfront.