Same device, 130 euros discount: deal? Not really, one hook seals your fate forever.

A look at the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdwe ($314 excl. VAT) reveals a traditional black-and-white laser printer with a small footprint that fits in almost any office. The device can print double-sided and there is a top-feed scanner for digitizing or copying documents. Everything seems correct, but the type number carries an important commitment that applies for the lifetime of the printer.

Any HP printer with the letter e On the back is an HP+ printer. In this specific case, the package is made even more interesting by a direct discount of 90 euros on the standard non-HP+ device.

Genuine HP toner only

Additional discount for the same device sounds tempting, but HP+ means a lot more than you think. The main restriction is that you can only use genuine HP toner. The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdwe also needs to be constantly connected to the internet or the printer will fail. Finally, you need an HP+ account to install the printer.

If you buy this printer directly from HP, you will receive a clear message that the three requirements above are attached to HP+ and the printer cannot be used without them. In principle, it cannot be overlooked when there is a banner like this next to the printer:

HP’s online shop displays this transparently, but other web shops do not. Coolblue requires you to click “Show More” to view the warning, which is a very dirty tactic. Other webshops write it in lowercase somewhere in the general text. To our regret, no one reports clearly on this. HP has to create conditions for this, otherwise you risk many dissatisfied customers who only have to be confronted with HP+ after the purchase.

What is HP+?

Before we start the printer review, a word about HP+ to get everything straight. The HP+ value comes in five components: an extra year of warranty, better security, a smart app, flexible printing, and a green initiative that offsets your printing behavior. The first is the easiest to explain: register your printer with HP+ and get an extra year of manufacturer’s warranty. HP isn’t reinventing hot water with this, many manufacturers are pursuing this strategy with a one-year additional warranty after registering the device, but it’s still a useful extra.

The rest of the smart features can be found in the HP Smart app, which offers additional options under HP+. This also includes the security part, where the printer is connected directly to the HP cloud and regularly checks whether your device is still configured securely. In the event of connection problems via WLAN, the printer automatically searches for the best solution to remain available. HP+ goes one step further with the ability to print outdoors.

Another part of HP+ is related and unrelated to printing: Forest First Printing. This balances every page you print by preserving existing forests and planting new ones, no matter what type of paper you use. The principle is not new; In the Managed Print Services business, HP has been working with a Forest First strategy for some time, which is linked to the use of specific HP paper.

Solid hardware

Enough of HP+, if you don’t feel like it, you can also buy the traditional model (HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdw, 405 euros excl. VAT). Both models are identical in hardware and perform the same.

HP attaches great importance to keeping the overall size of the black and white laser printer within limits. With a footprint of 418 x 398 x 313 mm, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdwe fits into almost any office. The scanner fits an A4 sheet of paper and has a glass plate, the edge of which doubles as the edge of the cover to keep everything compact.

The paper tray has space for 250 sheets, the feeder for scanning documents supports up to 50 sheets. The paper holder, into which the sheets roll after printing, is very pleasant to use. You can easily print hundreds of sheets or more at once and still take them out of the printer neatly afterwards.

The small touchscreen responds quickly and clearly, just like your smartphone. The resolution could have been a bit higher, but in the end it remains a printer. Everything looks clear in the picture, HP uses pleasant colors to clearly show the different options.

Special installation thanks to HP+

Installing the printer is something very special. First, connect to a wireless (or wired) network. Only then can you carry out the remaining steps. This has to do with HP+: a conventional printer does not need this mandatory step.

Once linked, you’ll see a code and web address on the small screen that you need to browse to. Create your HP+ account there and go through all the steps. We’re almost forced to use HP Instant Ink for free for six months. There’s a little way somewhere not to take that. Clicking on this will give you another big warning that this promotion will expire within 14 days of activation.

A subscription to HP Instant Ink can be interesting in some cases. Six months of free printables are included, but don’t forget to unsubscribe afterwards if you don’t like it. Read our comprehensive HP Instant Ink review here.

After everything HP+ is done, you can install the HP Smart app on Windows 10 and Windows 11 via the Microsoft Store to get the most out of the printer.

Excellent print quality and print speed

About the print quality we can say quite clearly: excellent. Up to a font size of five points the text is error-free, up to three points the text is legible if you look closely. Since this is a black and white laser printer, we shouldn’t overly judge the photo quality. Black and white photos look remarkably good with many shades of gray. Here and there we see a fine, slightly lighter line, but the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdwe performs very well for PowerPoint handouts, for example.

There are no comments on the speed either. The laser printer is ready to use in a flash and only needs a little over seven seconds from sleep mode. As soon as the printer is warm, the first sheet unrolls after just five seconds. Printing ten single-sided sheets takes 20 seconds, a manual (17 pages) with some screenshots takes 33 seconds. In theory, the printer can process 33 pages per minute, which seems plausible to us.

Copying is just as fast: nine seconds, regardless of whether you place the document on the scan plate or via the feeder. Printing on the back takes ten seconds per sheet. These are all excellent numbers for an office printer: nobody likes to wait for a print job and that will rarely be the case with the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdwe.

More expensive toner, subscription is cheaper

Since you can only install genuine HP toner in this printer, you have no choice but to settle for the printing costs listed below.

In all honesty, we find both toners a bit pricey, especially given the high purchase price of the device. Here it seems obvious that HP wants to push the user to the Instant Ink subscription. This allows you to print much more cheaply without accidentally running out of ink. Check out the prices of the different formulas below.

Diploma

Overall we understand why HP is offering this printer in an HP+ model that gives you an extra discount. When combined with an HP Instant Ink subscription, you can use it to print for less than buying traditional toner. Everything about this package is correct, but that doesn’t mean HP is allowed to block private label toners. We understand HP’s business model, but it’s not really likeable. In the long term, as a manufacturer, you can create a false perception here.

Other than that, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3102fdwe is an excellent black and white office printer. We have nothing to complain about, except that the higher purchase price does not translate into cheaper toner costs. You stay high, which forces you to HP Instant Ink. It’s an easy-to-use option, but those who prefer to be in control of their prints and print cheaply should take a closer look at the HP Smart Tank 7005 All-in-One Inkjet Printer, which prints up to three times cheaper.

Standard warranty: Three years of Collect & Return support in the Benelux, one year more than usual thanks to HP+.