The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 is presented as a powerful and expandable A4 office printer capable of serving teams of up to ten coworkers. It comes equipped with a reasonable amount of TerraJet toner and features HP’s strongest security measures to date.
Its specifications are robust, including more memory and processor speed than typical print-only devices, achieving a top speed of 35 pages per minute (ppm). The source review noted that it printed effectively, even on relatively thick cardstock.
However, this US$730 (£590) device lacks a touchscreen, and the source reviewer found the user interface to be frustrating, suggesting a thorough review before purchase.
Aesthetic Improvements
The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4000/X400 Series, including this model, replaces the older 400 Series. With its distinct blue livery and crisp design, it represents a notable aesthetic improvement over its predecessors.
The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701dw is the most compact base model in this Letter/A4-size range. Weighing 36 pounds, it is reassuringly heavy yet designed to be space-efficient for an office environment. The 'dw' suffix indicates automatic duplex printing and built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
Enterprise Features and Upgradability
While visually similar to the more affordable HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201 and offering comparable print quality, the enterprise-level 4701 boasts a higher specification. It includes a faster processor, more memory, and enhanced security features suitable for larger businesses. Its design also allows for greater expandability, supporting up to two optional paper trays, unlike the Pro model which supports only one. The awkward rotary dial interface found on some models is replaced with a standard keypad.
The main paper drawer holds 250 sheets, which can be expanded by adding up to two 550-sheet paper cassettes, each costing approximately US$370. This future-proofing capability is a significant advantage over cheaper alternatives. Additionally, a 50-sheet front-loading multi-media tray is available for envelopes or specialized paper.
Core Specifications and Duty Cycle
As an Enterprise model, the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 features a higher specification tailored for heavier use compared to Pro models. It is equipped with a faster dual-core 1.4GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, four times that of its counterparts. While this does not increase its print speed, which remains 35ppm, it supports a higher recommended duty cycle of up to 4,200 pages per month.
Advanced Security and Connectivity
The printer incorporates stronger Wolf Pro Enterprise security, including HP’s new post-quantum cryptography (PQC) protection, designed to safeguard against potential quantum computer attacks. It is also more easily managed as part of a fleet of devices. A USB Host port is included, offering convenience for printing directly without requiring an intermediary device.
The rotary dial control found on some Pro models has been replaced with a standard push-button keypad for this Enterprise model, though the source reviewer noted that neither interface is particularly user-friendly.
Initial Setup Experience
While many HP printers are known for easy setup, often leveraging Bluetooth for smartphone connectivity, the source review indicates this was not the case for the Enterprise 4701. The reviewer spent a considerable amount of time navigating the on-printer prompts using the somewhat fiddly control panel.
Due to enhanced security, there is no default administrator password printed on the device. During setup, users are prompted to create an admin password adhering to HP’s security requirements, which include a minimum of eight characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
Skipping this step during initial setup necessitates configuring the password later via the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS). This additional configuration effort is typical for an enterprise-grade printer, distinguishing it from simpler home office models.
In daily operation, the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 proves easier to use, benefiting from a quick first page out time and robust software support. However, the printer’s display is relatively small, and the absence of a touchscreen interface, especially given its premium price point, was a point of frustration for the source reviewer, particularly when compared to significantly cheaper alternatives like the Xerox C320.
Performance
The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 demonstrates quick and consistent printing, producing both color and monochrome pages promptly. The source review reported no misprints or paper jams during testing. Its First Page Out Time (FPOT) is a rapid 5.7 seconds, attributed to the enhanced onboard processing power and RAM. The maximum print speed of 35ppm (or 33ppm for A4 paper) in simplex mode was found to be accurate.
While its simplex speed is comparable to competitors like the Xerox C320, the HP printer excels in duplex mode, quickly turning paper for two-sided documents, resulting in slightly faster output for such tasks.
Black and white prints are notably crisp and professional, a strong suit for laser printers. The HP delivers very high-quality text on plain paper, with characters remaining sharp and legible even at the smallest point sizes when examined under magnification.
When printing in color, the source reviewer observed a subtle reduction in contrast, which could make photos appear less detailed than their originals. Despite this, the TerraJet toner is bright enough to produce vibrant results that maintain sharpness at 'best' image quality settings. The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 is highly versatile in media handling, supporting a wide array of paper types, including heavy cardstock up to a recommended 200 gm², with good results reported even on 240gm² card. The printer offers 33 media type selections, highlighting its adaptability.
The source reviewer achieved good results with card of 240gm², noting that while many laser printers offer four or five media choices, this model provides 33, underscoring its versatility.
Consumables
The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 utilizes HP’s TerraJet toner formulation, which features a lower melting point, reducing energy consumption during printing by approximately 27%. While this toner is slightly more expensive than average, its enhanced brightness and energy savings were considered a worthwhile trade-off by the source reviewer.
The printer ships with four setup cartridges providing enough toner for 2,300 black or 2,000 color pages. High-capacity cartridges are available, yielding up to 9,000 black pages and 6,900 color pages. With HP’s black high-yield cartridges priced around US$252 (£239), the cost per page (CPP) for monochrome printing is competitive at approximately 2.8 cents (2.1p).
However, color pages incur a higher cost of about 5.6 cents (4.2p) per page, making it more expensive than rivals such as the Xerox C320. This suggests that for users with high-volume color printing needs, this model might not be the most economical choice.
Maintenance
Routine maintenance for the printer is minimal, as it autonomously monitors its long-life components and notifies the user when consumables or worn parts require replacement. The imaging drums are integrated into the disposable toner cartridges, eliminating the need for separate cleaning or replacement. Should print quality degrade, users can access the printer’s Cleaning Page within the support tools menu to initiate a calibration or cleaning cycle.
Final Verdict
The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4701 is presented as an effective solution for small workgroups in shared office environments where security and print quality are paramount. However, the source reviewer did not recommend it for home office use.
The source reviewer encountered initial setup difficulties, and the combination of increased security features with the absence of a touchscreen contributed to a somewhat user-unfriendly experience. Nevertheless, once integrated into an office network, the printer performs quickly, securely, and cost-effectively for black and white printing. The more expensive HP TerraJet color cartridges result in less competitive color printing costs.
With its quantum-resistant security software, powerful processing, and optional upgrade accessories, this enterprise printer is well-suited for expanding businesses, particularly those with a predominant need for black and white printing.
