HP CM1312 Toner
LaserJet CM1312 Toner Cartridges

HP CM1312 Printer Review

The HP LaserJet CM1312 color laser printer with multifunction capabilities is designed for the home or small office user. It offers above average color quality, especially on photo paper, and all the functionality a small office will need, but its paper capacity may be too little for multi-user environments, like the HP 1600 toner printer.

The design of the HP CM1312 color laser printer, also referred to as the CM1312nfi or CM1312 MFP, is relatively compact, though it certainly takes up more space than a dedicated laser. It measures 19.1 inches by 19.6 inches by 19.3 inches (HWD), and weighs 54.5 pounds. It looks like a typical laser with a scanner on top, which is essentially what it is. Its aesthetics are a little awkward, but aesthetics are usually not a great concern for most users.

All of the multifunction features work extremely well. The unit can print, copy, scan, and fax, similar to the multifunction HP CM2320 toner printer. Faxing and copying can be done standalone, without the need for a computer. The included ethernet port makes it easy to connect and share it across a network of computers. Scanning is particularly convenient, as the unit offers multiple options for processing scanned documents. Users can scan to memory cards using the front-mounted USB ports, scan to a networked computer, or even scan to email, which opens the computer's email program and creates a new message with the scanned document already attached.

With all this functionality, there is a concern that the machine may be difficult to set up or difficult to use. Setup is very simple, with clear instructions and a software disc walking you through the entire process. Using it is also quite intuitive. Buttons on the control panel are easy to follow, and the installed software takes care of the rest. Print quality is excellent. Text is sharp and defined, and color quality is almost as good as a photo inkjet model.

HP LaserJet CM1312 toner cartridges have a very low capacity. As the unit is designed for a home or small office user, so are the HP CM1312 toner cartridges. At 1,400 pages per color laser toner cartridge and 2,200 per black printer toner cartridge, the HP LaserJet toner cartridges will need to be replaced often if the user has many high-volume jobs. Purchasing high-quality compatible HP toner can significantly reduce your per page costs.

Overall, the LaserJet CM1312 has a lot to offer a small office at an affordable price, and still manages to fit all its functionality into a compact size.