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Hewlett-Packard Business Inkjet 1200 Printer Series
The recently introduced BIJ 1200 family replaces HP’s initial
Business Inkjet offering, the BIJ 1100 Series. Recognizing the
potential for a low cost “business class” inkjet solution, HP was
quick to update the 1100 Series with a more powerful controller,
increased RAM, and faster speeds while maintaining the same
$199 SRP for the non-networked basic version with standard
duplexing. This printer is also available in dn, dtn, and dtwn configurations:
Like these models, the HP BIJ 1200 is based on separate print cartridge and print head design. On
paper the HP Business Inkjet 1200 Series has several specification advantages over the G500, as
shown in the chart. These include:
• Lower SRP
• Faster Full-color and Black-and-white output speeds with higher interpolated resolution
• Higher maximum monthly volume rating with higher print cartridge yields
• Greater amounts of RAM and a faster CPU with optional hard-wired or wireless connectivity
• Printing onto banner paper up to 19 feet long
• Support for Macintosh computers
• Standard duplexing (up to 8.5” x 11”, equal to maximum duplex size)
The G500 has some specification advantages of its own, including a larger standard paper supply and
the availability of a single sheet bypass to process heavyweight stocks. But that’s not where the battle
will be won.
The BIJ 1200 Series uses pigment-based ink for black, but dye-based inks for the cyan, magenta, and
yellow colors. The price of each print cartridge on the HP website is $33.99—comparable to the print
cartridge pricing at $32 for Black, $31 for Cyan, and $36 for Magenta and Yellow (although yields are
not equivalent). However, these print heads are designed to last for the life of the printer and never
need replacement. HP publishes a life of 16,000 pages for the Black print head, and 24,000 pages
for each of C/M/Y print head. Replacement print heads for the BIJ 1200 are also available through
the HP website at $33.99 each, which means the customer will incur much higher out-of-pocket
expenses for HP technology over the life of the printer.
As reviewed in the Sales Information Guide, dye-based inks are prone to smudging and bleeding, take
longer to dry, and are therefore not recommended for two-sided printing applications. The printers’
Viscous Inks are fast drying and specifically designed to meet business user needs for duplexing at
high speed. The use of dye-based inks calls into question the full-color duplex print quality on the BIJ
1200 Series. Also, ask your customer to closely examine high image coverage prints. Is the paper
wavy from ink over-saturation? Does ink bleed through to the rear side of the paper? Is registration
accurate? When selling against the HP BIJ 1200 Series, it will hard to compete on price, especially
against the d and dtn models—you’ll have to attack image quality and the high cost of consumables.
1200d $199 Non-networked, Standard Duplex
1200dn $249 Networked (wired)
1200dtn $299 Networked (wired)+ 250-sheet Paper Tray 2
1200dtwn $349 Networked (wired + wireless) + 250-sheet Paper Tray 2