HP LaserJet
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Printing technology |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Hewlett-Packard |
| Products | Laser printers, multifunction printers |
| Parent | HP Inc. |
LaserJet represents a series of laser printers marketed by HP Inc. (formerly known as Hewlett-Packard) since 1984. It holds the distinction of being the first laser printer to achieve widespread commercial success. Canon provides the core mechanisms and toner cartridges for the majority of HP’s laser printers, while certain larger A3-sized models incorporate print engines from Samsung.
Over four decades up to 2025, these printers—including subsequent multifunction devices equipped with scanning and faxing capabilities—have been widely utilized in both office environments and home settings.
In 2013, Advertising Age highlighted that HP’s lineup comprised "78 different printers across 6 distinct model families."
Technology
The bulk of HP LaserJet devices utilize xerographic laser marking engines manufactured by Canon. To accelerate development on the original LaserJet, HP integrated Canon’s pre-existing CX engine controller. By 1989, The New York Times acknowledged HP’s dominant position in the PC laser printer sector.
Both the initial LaserJet and Apple’s first LaserWriter employed Canon’s CX engine. HP implemented its proprietary Printer Command Language (PCL), whereas Apple adopted Adobe’s PostScript. The simpler nature of PCL allowed HP to release the LaserJet approximately one year earlier and at a price point about $1000 lower. This sharing of Canon print engines continued with models like the LaserJet II/III and Apple LaserWriter II, all utilizing the Canon LBP-CX print mechanism.
1980s
HP introduced the first laser printer compatible with IBM PC compatible personal computers in May 1984 at COMDEX. This model offered 300-dpi resolution and printed at 8 pages per minute, initially priced at $3,495 before dropping to $2,995 by September 1985. It was powered by an 8 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU and operated via PCL3, featuring 128 KB memory with a portion allocated for controller functions.
The LaserJet delivered crisp text and graphics output, operated quietly, and supported various font styles stored in permanent ROM. It effectively replaced loud impact printers and was compatible with multiuser systems through its PCL support.
In September 1985, the LaserJet Plus was launched at $3,995, introducing "soft fonts" such as bold and italic styles, a parallel interface, and increased memory capacity (512 KB) for improved graphic detail.
- March 1986 saw the release of the LaserJet D+, priced at $4,495, featuring two paper trays. The growth of desktop publishing on IBM PCs boosted demand for HP’s LaserJet printers alongside software like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Windows.
- The mainstream LaserJet II debuted in March 1987 at $2,695, incorporating PCL4 support and enhanced functionalities.
- Also in March 1987, HP unveiled the premium LaserJet 2000 with a $19,995 price tag, offering network connectivity and a monthly duty cycle rated at 70,000 pages. That same month marked the introduction of HP’s first image scanner—the ScanJet—which complemented its desktop publishing solutions and achieved commercial success.
The fall of 1988 brought the LaserJet IID, notable as the first desktop laser printer equipped with duplex printing capabilities and featuring an HP-designed formatter.
September 1989 introduced the LaserJet IIP—the inaugural "personal" LaserJet—priced at $1,495. This model was half the size and cost compared to the LaserJet II, delivered 300-dpi quality at 4 ppm, and incorporated PCL4 enhancements such as compressed bitmapped fonts and raster image support. Importantly, it featured a no ozone print engine. Retailers expected street prices to fall below $1,000, making it the first laser printer available under that threshold. The IIP and its successor IIIP earned a strong reputation for dependability.
Replacement scanner assemblies for these models remain available on the aftermarket even today.
1990s
In March 1990, HP introduced the LaserJet III at a price of $2,395, incorporating Resolution Enhancement technology (REt) to enhance print clarity and integrating HP PCL 5, which allowed versatile text scaling that influenced the word processing industry.
Later that year, the LaserJet IIID was released for $4,995, featuring dual paper trays and duplex printing capabilities. In March 1991, HP launched the LaserJet IIISi, the first widely available Ethernet network printer, priced at $5,495. It offered a 17 ppm print engine, 5MB of memory, 300 dpi resolution with Image REt, job stacking functionality, optional duplexing, and built-in Adobe PostScript emulation.
October 1992 marked the debut of the LaserJet 4 equipped with a Canon EX engine delivering native 600 dpi output and utilizing Microfine toner, priced at $2,199. This model introduced TrueType fonts to ensure accurate font representation both on-screen and in print. Competitors such as Apple and Digital Equipment Corporation also adopted the Canon EX engine. Additionally, HP's JetDirect print server cards provided network connectivity options for LaserJet 4 and 4M models.
By the 1990s, LaserJet printers had become essential in offices worldwide. The flagship LaserJet 4 SiMX (released May 1993) supported various network interfaces including Ethernet, Appletalk, and TokenRing. The LaserJet 4L (spring 1993) introduced instant-on fusing technology with an affordable engine priced at $1,229.
Significant milestones during this decade included:
- April 1994: HP reached shipment of its 10-millionth LaserJet.
- September 1994: The Color LaserJet was launched at $7,295, delivering color printing at 2 ppm and black printing at 10 ppm with a cost per page below ten cents; it featured enhanced PCL 5 with color capabilities.
- March 1995: The LaserJet 5 series debuted PCL 6 for accelerated processing of complex documents, REt-enhanced 600 dpi resolution, and a 12 ppm print engine starting at $1,629; updated versions followed in 1996.
- March 1996: Color LaserJet models 5 and 5M offered improved resolution up to 1200 dpi.
- October 1996: The LaserJet 6P and 6MP models introduced infrared wireless printing.
In November 1996, the network-enabled LaserJet 5Si was introduced featuring the Canon WX engine capable of producing up to 24 ppm at 600 dpi with duplex printing and automatic switching between PCL and PostScript. Although early versions faced paper-handling challenges that were later resolved, these printers proved reliable; the HP 5Si Mopier optimized multiple originals copying with a monthly duty cycle of up to 100,000 copies.
The LaserJet 4000 series arrived in 1997 with enhancements derived from the LaserJet 5 line and offered higher resolution of up to 1200 dpi aimed at office environments. The LaserJet 4050 (released in 1999) improved formatter speed and provided easier access for paper registration adjustments. These models utilized partially external duplexing units.
April 1998 saw the launch of the LaserJet 4101 MFP—the first mass-market all-in-one laser device combining printing, faxing, copying, and scanning functionalities. By July of that year, HP had shipped its milestone 30-millionth LaserJet printer.
In February 1999, HP unveiled the LaserJet 2100 series—the initial personal laser printers in their category to offer high-quality output at a resolution of 1200x1200 dpi without compromising performance.
Within network laser printer segments, the LaserJet series following the 5Si included models such as the 8000, 8100, and 8150. These continued to use Canon WX engines delivering resolutions up to 1200x1200 dpi with simplex speeds reaching up to 32 ppm; duplex printing speeds remained at approximately 24 ppm. These models focused on robustness and ease of maintenance.
2000s
In December 2000, HP reached a milestone by delivering its 50-millionth LaserJet printer.
September 2001 marked HP's introduction to the low-cost laser printer segment with the LaserJet 1000, which was the first LaserJet priced below $250 and the most affordable monochrome model at that time. This printer provided print speeds of 10 pages per minute, a native resolution of 600 dpi enhanced to 1200 dpi through HP REt technology, an operating cost of 2.5 cents per page, and supported a monthly duty cycle of up to 7,000 pages.
The year 2002 saw the discontinuation of the 8150 model, which was succeeded by the 9000 series featuring speeds up to 50 ppm and built-in duplex printing. The 4100 series was replaced by the 4200 (later upgraded to the 4250) and the 4300 (later updated to the 4350), with maximum speeds reaching 55 ppm. By 2003, HP had shipped its 75-millionth LaserJet unit.
In November 2003, HP expanded into the $24-billion copier industry with the launch of the LaserJet 9055/9065/9085 multifunction printers, which were high-volume devices based on copier technology.
By 2006, cumulative sales of LaserJet printers had surpassed the 100 million mark.
As of 2007, HP's product lineup included a broad range of monochrome and color printers as well as multifunction devices, offering print speeds between 20 and 55 ppm and prices ranging from $149 to several thousand dollars.
Evolution of control panel
The introduction of the LaserJet 4L in 1992 represented a move toward more user-friendly control interfaces. Unlike its predecessor, the IIIP—which had numerous buttons and a cryptic numeric LCD—the 4L simplified operation by utilizing four LEDs and a single multifunction pushbutton designed to guide users through common tasks with ease. Although this made it more accessible for casual users, it offered less direct control compared to earlier models equipped with alphanumeric displays.
The LaserJet 4/4 Plus series retained and improved upon alphanumeric displays by incorporating a 16-character vacuum fluorescent display that provided detailed status information favored in professional-grade printers.
Earlier control panels featured buttons such as Online, Menu, Shift, Continue, Reset, +/-, and Form Feed. While functional, these could be confusing for users unfamiliar with printer status distinctions like "ready but offline."
With the integration of Windows PCs in the late 1990s, many manual controls—such as Form Feed—became less critical because print spoolers handled these functions more intuitively through software.
Professional LaserJets continued to offer PCL menus for configuring options like copy count and font styles; these menus were primarily utilized when emulating line printers rather than during graphical printing.
The LaserJet 4000 series introduced in 1997 featured a redesigned control panel that removed confusing buttons like Shift. It included Menu navigation supported by Item and Value (+/-) buttons, along with Select, a prominent green Go button, and a smaller orange Cancel Job button. A blue-backlit two-line LCD enhanced user interaction for configuration purposes.
More recent models such as those in the LaserJet 600 series provide full-color LCD screens with simplified navigation via directional arrows and an Ok button. Numeric keypads and dedicated buttons facilitate job storage, copying, and fax operations on multifunction variants.
Key innovations
- Spring 1984 – Launch of first HP LaserJet
- Summer 1994 – Introduction of first HP Color LaserJet
- Spring 1997 – Debut of first printer-based multifunction device
- Spring 2006 – Release of world's most compact LaserJet footprint
- Summer 2011 – Introduction of HP Extraordinary Colors
- Spring 2015 – Rollout of JetIntelligence technology
Pioneering Innovations
- Spring 1984 – Introduction of personal laser printing
- March 1991 – Launch of Ethernet-enabled network printing
- April 1993 – Debut of Web Jetadmin management software
- November 2005 – Release of the Universal Print Driver
Product Lines
Model numbers do not always indicate the sequence of product development or the specific print engine technology employed. For instance, the LaserJet 1018 utilizes more recent, compact, and energy-saving components compared to the LaserJet 4000 and offers USB connectivity, a feature absent in the earlier model.
Monochrome
- HP LaserJet Original Printer series
- HP LaserJet Printer (March 1984)
- HP LaserJet Plus Printer (November 1985)
- HP LaserJet 500 Plus Printer (March 1986)
- HP LaserJet II Printer series (March 1987)
- HP LaserJet Series II Printer
- HP LaserJet IID Printer (1988)
- HP LaserJet IIp Printer (1989)
- HP LaserJet IIp Plus Printer (1989)
- HP LaserJet III Printer series (1990–1991)
- Models include HP LaserJet III, IIID, IIIp, IIISi Printers
- HP LaserJet 4 Printer series (1992–1994)
- Encompasses models such as 4, 4M, 4 Plus, 4L/mL, 4p/mp, 4Si, and 4v/mv
- HP LaserJet 5 Printer series (1996)
- Features models like 5/m/n, 5L, 5p/mp, and 5Si
- HP LaserJet 6 Printer series
- Comprises models including 6L, 6L Pro, and 6P/MP
- HP LaserJet 1000 Printer series (from 2001 onward)
- Covers models from the 1000 through to the 1320 range
- HP LaserJet 2000 Printer series (starting March 1987)
- Includes the 2000, followed by the 2100 (1999), 2200 (2001), and later the 2300 and 2400 series
- HP LaserJet 4000 Printer series (since 1997)
- Contains models such as the 4000, 4050 (1999), 4100 (2001), extending to the 4350 series
- HP LaserJet 5000 Printer series (2001–2006)
- Incorporates models up to the 5200 series
- HP LaserJet 8000 Printer series (from 1998)
- Encompasses the 8000, 8100, and the later 8150 (2004) models
- HP LaserJet 9000 Printer series (starting in 2002)
- Includes up to the 9050 model range
- Additional notable lines:
- P1005 and P1505n Printers
- P2015 and P3000 Enterprise Printers (mid-2000s onward)
- P4010 and P4500 Printers including P2035 (2013 release)
- M201dw/M203dw Printers (2015–2016 period)
- M400 and M500 Enterprise Printers with variants from M401 through M507
- M600 Enterprise Printers spanning models M601 to M612
- M130 Printer series
- Latest offerings include the LaserJet models: 3001, 4001, and the multifunctional unit 4101 (2022)
Color
- HP Color LaserJet Original Printer series
- Initial release: HP Color LaserJet (September 1994)
- HP Color LaserJet CP4000 Printer lineup
- Includes CP4005 model range
- HP Color LaserJet 5 Printer series
- Encompasses Color LaserJet 5/5m models
- HP Color LaserJet 1000 Printer range
- Includes sub-series such as the Color LaserJet1500 and Color LaserJet1600 printers
- HP Color LaserJet 2000 Printer family
- Features models like Color LaserJet2500, Color LaserJet2550, Color LaserJet2600n, Color LaserJet2605, and Color LaserJet2700 printer lines
- HP Color LaserJet3000 Printer collection
- Contains Color LaserJet3500, Color LaserJet3550, Color LaserJet3600 (introduced in 2004), Color LaserJet3700, and Color LaserJet3800 printers
- HP Color LaserJet4000 Printer lineup
- Covers models such as Color LaserJet4500 (released in 1998), Color LaserJet4550, Color LaserJet4600, Color LaserJet4610n, Color LaserJet4650, and Color LaserJet4700 printers
- HP Color LaserJet5000 Series
- Includes the Color LaserJet5500 and Color LaserJet5550 printers
- HP Color LaserJet8000 Series
- Comprises the Color LaserJet8500 and Color LaserJet8550 printers
- HP Color LaserJet9000 Series
- Features the Color LaserJet9500 printer line
- Other prominent color printer lines:
- HP LaserJet M252 printer family
- HP LaserJet M452 printer family
- HP LaserJet M454 printer family
- HP Color LaserJet M177 printer family
- HP Color LaserJet M277 printer family
- HP Color LaserJet M477 printer family
Model suffixes
Suffixes appended to model names denote factory-fitted options that distinguish variations within a printer lineup:
- D – Duplex unit enabling automatic two-sided printing.
- T – Extra paper tray for handling multiple paper types or continuous feed; some D variants come with two trays even without the T designation.
- S – Paper stacker designed to boost output capacity.
- N – Integrated network interface card (MIO or EIO JetDirect) often paired with PostScript support.
- W – Wireless network card embedded within the device.
- F – Fax functionality included in multifunction models.
- H – High-capacity or heavy-duty variant, occasionally equipped with a secure hard drive.
- L – Lightweight edition featuring only a single paper tray.
- P – Intended for personal or small group use.
- ph+ or S/SL – Paper handling accessories such as stapler-stacker units.
- M – Macintosh-compatible configuration with PostScript module and additional memory.
- V – Supports wider media paths, accommodating sizes like 11"x17".
- X – Combines duplexing, networking, and an extra tray; this replaced the former DTN suffix.
For instance, a LaserJet 4000X model includes a duplexer, built-in JetDirect network card, and an additional paper tray.
- E – Currently identifies HP+ enabled models that require internet connectivity and the HP Smart app; previously used to indicate ePrint capability.
Memory upgrades for legacy models
Several older HP printers—such as the LaserJet 4+, 5 series, 6 series, DesignJet 330/350C/700/750C, DeskJet 1600 series, and PaintJet XL300—utilized proprietary 72-pin HP SIMM modules for memory expansion. These are standard 72-bit SIMMs but feature unconventional Presence Detect (PD) pin configurations. Standard 72-pin SIMMs can often be modified for HP PD compatibility by soldering wires to specific pads. HP recommends RAM not exceeding 70ns speed due to PD decoding constraints; however, faster modules may function if PD signaling indicates 70ns or slower. All these printers support FPM (Fast Page Mode) memory, with many also compatible with EDO (Extended Data Out) memory types.
Earlier models like the LaserJet II, IIP, IID, III, IIID, and 4/4M employed proprietary memory expansion boards. For example, the II and IID used square boards populated with DIP DRAM chips and standard pin headers. The LaserJet 4/4M required parity RAM and offered modules in sizes of 4, 8, 16, and 32 MB.
Security vulnerabilities
In November 2011, researchers at Columbia University uncovered significant security flaws in HP LaserJet printers that permitted remote attackers to upload malicious firmware. These vulnerabilities exploited weaknesses in the printers’ web-based administration interfaces, enabling unauthorized access to cached print jobs and sensitive data shortly before or after printing. Such information could be intercepted or redirected for harmful purposes.
Malicious firmware had the potential to exfiltrate print data across networks, launch attacks on linked computers, or cause printer hardware failures such as overheating. HP strongly recommended applying security patches promptly to reduce these risks. Despite these warnings, millions of HP LaserJet devices remained exposed to such threats as of late 2011.
In response, HP introduced advanced security measures in September 2015 under the branding "World's Most Secure Printers," aiming to address these vulnerabilities and strengthen printer cybersecurity defenses.
Repairs
HP offers a standard warranty covering all LaserJet printers for one year, with repair services accessible through HP or its Authorized Service Providers. Customers have the option to purchase extended warranty coverage once the initial period expires.
Manufacturers are not obligated to supply new replacement parts beyond seven years after a product has been discontinued. Although HP has generally continued manufacturing parts past this timeframe, since 2017, certain models no longer receive new components directly from HP. This applies to several monochrome and color LaserJet lines, including the Mono 1100 series and Color 1500 series. While some third-party service providers may have limited parts available from inventory or salvaged machines, they typically recommend transitioning to newer printer models.