HP Deskjet 300 Ink Cartridges

HP 300 Printer Review

The HP Deskjet 300 is an entry-level multifunction printer that can handle the simple day-to-day print, scan and copy needs of home offices. The 300 is designated as a light-duty device because it has moderately slow output speeds of around 20 pages per minute for monochrome documents and 14 pages per minute for color. While there are certainly benefits to owning this device such as its inexpensive Deskjet 300 printer ink and high-quality output, it sacrifices standard office-centric features like versatile connectivity and an automatic document feeder.

This 3-in-1 inkjet printer has a compact size of 7x16x10 inches and a light weight of 10 pounds, which will enable it to share a desktop with a user's computer or be easily stored when not in use. Part of what allows the 300 to be so slim is its limited media input, which includes a single paper tray that can hold up to 100 pages of plain paper or 20 pages of specialty photo paper. This small input, as well as its maximum monthly duty cycle of 700 pages and memory of 32 MB make the machine suitable for low-volume needs.

One of the biggest drawbacks to the 300 is its lack of built-in tools, leaving out a color LCD for on-board access to popular functions, as well as a document feeder for continuous scanning and ample connectivity. Instead, the machine provides users with a basic USB port for PC connections and a control panel with a single-line monochrome LCD for quick job status updates. Users with computers that run Mac or Windows operating systems will be able to install the provided software package and drivers to access more advanced control tools.

The feature that will most attract buyers to the 300 is its output quality, printing standard text documents with readable, sharp characters and a maximum resolution of 1200x1200 dpi using black HP 300 ink. Graphics and photos also have a satisfactory output compared to other models in its price range, printing with accurate detail and a resolution of 4800x1200 dpi using color Deskjet 300 printer ink.

The device uses one tricolor HP 300 ink cartridge and one black supply, which will be inexpensive to replace if users opt to purchase remanufactured supplies over pricey OEM options. With yields of around 600 pages for each black and tricolor HP 300 ink cartridge, users should stick to light-duty printing and copying to avoid running up costs.

Although it is very basic, the 300 is a reliable inkjet printer, copier and scanner that can achieve professional-quality output and support low-volume home offices. Buyers that need a more versatile machine with quicker speeds and office-centric features, however, have plenty of other options among the more expensive models in its class.