HP offers multiple laser printer solutions designed for small to medium-sized business teams that look for professional performance and efficiency. The HP 3203dw is the latest offering from HP for business teams. With features like high-speed automatic two-sided colour printing, security options, and energy-efficient technology, the printer has a lot going for it. Here’s a closer look at what this laser printer offers:
Design and build quality
One of the first things you’ll notice about the HP 3203dw is its compact design. It’s clear that HP aimed to minimise its footprint, making it an excellent fit for crowded office spaces or small desks. A lot of the printers found in offices are rather big — depending on their use case. While it doesn’t have the premium, flashy design of higher-end models, the matte finish and clean lines give it a professional, no-nonsense appearance.
The printer feels sturdy and well-built, with components like the 250-sheet input tray and 1-sheet multipurpose tray designed for durability. However, some users may find the control panel —a hybrid setup with buttons and a small screen — a little dated compared to touchscreens found on modern printers. The guided setup and Timesaving Shortcuts, though, make it functional and straightforward to operate.
How it performs
The 3203dw offers ample connectivity options, making it easy to integrate into various work environments. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and high-speed USB ports. The dual-band Wi-Fi ensures a stable connection, even in crowded networks, and the auto-reconnect feature prevents downtime due to connectivity issues.
For mobile and remote printing, the printer is compatible with popular platforms like Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and the HP Smart app. Setting up and managing the printer through the HP Smart app is particularly seamless, offering functionalities like monitoring toner levels, configuring shortcuts, and initiating print jobs.
The HP 3203dw boasts a print speed of up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) for A4 and 26 ppm for Letter-sized paper, which is more than sufficient for most office needs. Whether printing reports, or basic office documents, the printer handles workloads efficiently without noticeable lag.
The inclusion of automatic two-sided printing (duplexing) is a significant plus, particularly for businesses aiming to save paper and time. The duplexing speed matches the single-sided output, ensuring smooth and fast performance even with bulk tasks.
HP’s TerraJet Toner technology deserves mention for its vibrant, true-to-life color output. It does a fine job of producing sharp text and vivid graphics, making it suitable for professional presentations or materials requiring a pop of colour. However, while the colour reproduction is impressive for a laser printer, it doesn’t quite match the depth and richness of a high-end inkjet printer when printing photos or highly detailed images.
The printer comes with Wolf Pro Security, which includes proactive, preconfigured settings to safeguard sensitive data and prevent unauthorised access. Features like tamper-resistant toner and embedded security mechanisms further enhance its reliability for office use.
What we think
The HP 3203dw is priced at Rs 50,990. While the HP 3203dw is a solid performer, it’s not without its drawbacks. The hybrid control panel, while functional, feels outdated compared to modern touchscreens. It may take some time for users to adjust to its interface, especially if they’re accustomed to more intuitive setups.
Another limitation is its lack of advanced paper handling options. While the 250-sheet input tray is adequate for most office needs, businesses with higher print demands might find the absence of additional trays or expanded capacity limiting.
Additionally, while the colour output is excellent for documents and graphics, it isn’t ideal for photo printing or projects requiring exceptional detail and tonal range. This is expected, as laser printers generally focus on speed and text sharpness over photo quality.
The HP 3203dw is a reliable, compact laser printer that caters well to the needs of small and medium-sized business teams.What works in its favour are its speed, consistent performance, vibrant colour output, and robust security features.
The HP 3203dw is a practical choice for business teams seeking a balance between performance and security.
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