Dell 1130 review

A simple USB printer whose model number matters

The Dell 1130 is an earlier monochrome laser printer for a directly connected computer. Its main appeal is a relatively low-profile body and a covered 250-sheet paper drawer. It concentrates on printing black-and-white documents rather than adding a scanner, copier or fax facility.

Do not confuse it with the Dell 1130n. Both appear in the same brochure and share a similar appearance, but the n version has a network interface, a faster declared print rate and different processing resources. A listing that casually combines the two model names can therefore change the connection and performance you actually receive.

Choose it around the actual computer and driver

The 1130's documented connection is USB 1.1, compatible with a USB 2.0 connection. That describes the physical interface; it does not independently guarantee that a current operating system has a working driver. Confirm the specific software arrangement before depending on this older printer.

The exact 1130 uses an SPL/GDI processing arrangement and fixed 8MB memory. The larger memory and additional print-language declarations of the networked 1130n are not features of the base model. It is better suited to a confirmed single-computer document routine than a purchasing plan that assumes built-in network sharing.

A covered paper drawer with a manual specialty route

The ordinary drawer holds 250 sheets. There is also a single-sheet feed position, giving a 251-sheet physical maximum rather than another substantial paper tray. That distinction matters if the goal is reducing refill frequency: the bulk paper supply remains the covered 250-sheet drawer.

The US table explicitly lists Letter and Legal for the ordinary and manual paths, with envelopes assigned to the appropriate specialty feed arrangement. Set the driver and loaded media to agree. Check the exact instructions for any other required size or stock rather than assuming that a broad laser-printer category guarantees it.

Two-sided documents need paper refeeding

The brochure states that a duplex unit is unavailable and describes manual duplexing. The printer therefore does not automatically turn a page over for the second side. A two-sided job depends on the supported driver routine and the user returning the paper in the correct orientation.

For occasional double-sided documents, that may be an acceptable interruption. For frequent two-sided reports, it changes the workload considerably compared with an automatic duplex model. Consider the actual number of sheets and how often somebody is available to complete the refeeding step.

Read the speed and duty figures in context

The declared one-sided Letter speed is up to 19ppm for the 1130. Dell separately describes first-page timing from ready and from power-saving mode. Those conditions matter when the office prints isolated pages, because a wake-up delay and a sustained print rate describe different parts of the experience.

The 10,000-page monthly duty figure is a maximum rating, not a normal monthly target. The original brochure also provides a typical-volume description, but an older unit's actual suitability still depends on condition, document complexity and the availability of compatible supplies and software.

Check the original supply assumptions and physical unit

The original starter cartridge was approximately 700 pages, while replacement choices had different declared capacities. A high-capacity replacement figure should not be treated as the toner originally included with every machine. For a previously owned unit, ask about the actual cartridge and maintenance condition.

The closed body measures roughly 14.2 × 15.3 × 7.8 inches, before room for paper handling and access. Check the voltage label because separate low- and high-voltage versions were documented. Choose the 1130 when a working USB computer setup and straightforward monochrome printing meet the need, with manual duplex and the absence of a network port understood.