Your needs, this model
Does it fit your priorities?
Can the earlier 1020 print Legal monochrome pages on USB with 150 ordinary sheets and 1,500 monthly pages?
Qualifies with earlier references enabled, an actually compatible computer/driver and correct USB cable. The actual main feed supports Legal, and 1,500 is within the labeled recommended maximum.
Explore this need in the finder →Will selecting two-sided printing make the printer handle the reverse sides automatically?
Fails automatic duplex. The source routine requires reloading the first-side stack and clicking Continue on the computer.
Explore this need in the finder →Can it print directly over Wi-Fi with the included hardware?
Fails Wi-Fi. The actual included computer connection is USB, and the exact maker specification states no wireless capability.
Explore this need in the finder →A prepared USB setup matters more than the connector alone
The HP LaserJet 1020 fits a compatible computer that needs modest monochrome document printing with a 150-sheet main stack. USB is its included connection, and two-sided work uses attended manual reloading. The deciding limitation is software scope: HP explicitly names the 1020 among products with no Macintosh support, so a USB socket alone does not establish a usable setup.
HP's exact US product page identifies Q5911A#ABA and explicitly marks it discontinued. This is an earlier documented configuration, not a present offer. The original and current US electrical specifications list a 110–127-volt, 50/60-Hz edition separately from a 220–240-volt regional version. Check the unit's rating rather than treating the regional alternatives as universal voltage.
Use the actual compatible computer route
The original configuration and rear walkaround give the 1020 USB 2.0 High Speed, with no included Ethernet network port or wireless radio. Follow the compatible installation procedure, connecting the correct USB cable to the computer when prompted. HP's current technical section says the cable is not included.
The original software is host-based. Its historical Windows list and later HP support references require an actual compatibility check for the intended computer. The specific HP Macintosh-support notice is more useful than assuming a generic family driver works: it explicitly says no Macintosh support is available for this model. No unofficial conversion or driver workaround is promised here.
AirPrint, Mopria and secure PIN-held document release remain unconfirmed. This is also a monochrome print-only architecture with no scanner, flatbed, feeder, copier or fax. A general support application or a separate network accessory cannot add those capture functions.
Ordinary capacity excludes the single-sheet feed
The main tray holds up to 150 sheets of ordinary 20-lb/75-g/m² paper. The current exact main-tray range accommodates Letter, Legal and A4, with Letter and A4 explicitly named in the original booklet routine. Load the print face up with the top toward the printer, adjust the side and front guides and straighten the full stack when adding paper.
The priority slot takes one sheet, a suitable envelope or another supported special medium. It is a separate attended path, so normal included paper capacity is 150 sheets rather than 151. Choose the actual size and medium in the compatible driver; being physically within the maximum range does not remove media restrictions.
For one supported envelope, use the priority feed. The original main-tray batch routine allows up to 15. Keep the print face up, top along the left guide and a short-edge flap entering first when present. Adjust the guides and select Envelope type and the actual size. That envelope batch is a different routine from the ordinary sheet stack.
Reverse sides require a reload and Continue
In the compatible driver, choose Print on Both Sides (Manually) and the appropriate binding. After printing the first sides, gather and straighten the output. Reload it printed side down with the bottom edge entering first, then click Continue on the computer to print side two.
The original control panel contains two status lights; a neighboring model's Go-button routine is not borrowed. This attended two-pass process does not satisfy an automatic-duplex requirement. HP's declared speed is up to 15 one-sided Letter pages per minute, separately 14 A4. These are maker figures, not measurements here or two-sided throughput.
The current recommended monthly range is 250–2,000 pages. Maximum-duty presentations disagree: the original guide lists 8,000, while the current US technical section lists 5,000. Maximum duty remains unconfirmed across those versions. The independently labeled recommendation still provides the appropriate workload limit for matching recommended monthly use.
Check the replacement supply and working space
The original ordering table and HP's exact US compatibility list map the 1020 to 12A Q2612A. Its current technical page declares approximately 2,000 replacement pages based on ISO/IEC 19752, with actual yield dependent on content and other factors. The original printer configuration's 2,000-page cartridge listing does not promise remaining toner in an individual discontinued unit.
No present supply price or cost per page is calculated. Confirm the actual cartridge and condition of the particular unit instead of treating a historical replacement declaration as a remaining-life measurement.
Original and current body dimensions agree at 14.6 inches wide, 9.5 deep and 8.2 high. HP separately lists maximum depth of 14.2 inches, and loading, output support, cables and cartridge access still need room. Weight remains unconfirmed across different cartridge bases. Choose the 1020 for prepared USB monochrome work; essential Macintosh support, networking or automatic duplex needs different confirmed hardware.
Key details at a glance
| Color printing | No |
|---|---|
| Scanner | No |
| Copying | No |
| Fax | No |
| Flatbed scanner | No |
| Automatic document feeder | No |
| Automatic two-sided printing | No |
| Automatic two-sided scanning | No |
| Single-pass two-sided scanning | No |
| Color scanning | No |
| Instructed envelope handling | Yes |
| Recommended monthly minimum | 250 pages |
| Recommended monthly maximum | 2000 pages |
| Included ordinary-paper capacity | 150 sheets |
| Declared one-sided mono Letter rate | 15 pages/min |
| Unit-body width | 14.6 in |
| Unit-body depth | 9.5 in |
| Unit-body height | 8.2 in |
| Imaging engine | laser |
Use the exact model’s instructions for operating limits, supplied equipment and version differences.
Paper, software and setup details
Print-rate conditions
The exact original 1020 declares up to 15 one-sided Letter ppm, separately 14 A4; maker figures are not measurements or duplex throughput. Current exact maker recommendation is 250–2,000 monthly pages. Maximum duty remains unknown across original 8,000 and current US 5,000 presentations; neither is substituted for recommendation. Original average 1,000 is a separate quantity.
Paper handling
Included main tray holds 150 ordinary 20-lb/75-g/m² sheets. Current exact main range 5.8×8.27–8.5×14 inches supports Letter/Legal/A4; original booklet routine explicitly names Letter/A4. Single-sheet priority feed is separate and excluded from normal capacity. Load ordinary paper face up/top toward printer, adjust side/front guides and straighten full stack when replenishing. One supported envelope uses priority, or up to 15 use main, print face up/top along left guide with a short-edge flap entering first when present. Select actual envelope size and Envelope type in the compatible driver. Ordinary paper capacity is not an envelope count.
Scanning arrangement
The exact original 1020 architecture is monochrome print only with one black cartridge. No scanner, feeder, flatbed, copier or fax. A generic support application or optional network device cannot add document capture.
Computer and mobile connections
Included USB 2.0 High Speed with actual compatible computer driver and correct separately purchased USB cable. No included Ethernet, wireless radio or network server. Exact HP support notice explicitly states no Macintosh support for this model; historical Windows lists or later generic UPD links do not guarantee a present system. AirPrint, Mopria and PIN-held release remain unconfirmed.
Supplies and declared yields
The exact original 1020 ordering table and current HP US compatibility map 12A Q2612A. Current replacement technical section declares approximately 2,000 pages based on ISO/IEC 19752, with actual yield varying by content and conditions. The original printer configuration lists a 2,000-page cartridge separately; no supplied or remaining toner is promised for an individual discontinued unit. No live price or cost per page.
Software and support
Actual original manual duplex: choose Print on Both Sides (Manually) and binding in compatible driver, print first sides, straighten stack, reload printed side down/bottom edge first, then click Continue on the computer. This model has a two-light control panel; do not borrow a neighboring printer Go-button step. No automatic duplex mechanism. Use actual compatible host-based software. Exact maker notice gives no Macintosh support.
Electrical edition and setup
Exact US product identity and discontinued notice, with positively documented low-voltage 110–127-V 50/60-Hz regional edition. Separate 220–240-V regional version is not a universal-voltage promise; do not convert operating voltage. Body 14.6 W × 9.5 D × 8.2 H inches agrees between original and current exact support. Current maximum operating depth 14.2 inches is distinct from closed body. Weight remains unknown against original 5.8 kg with 2,000-page cartridge versus current 5 kg/11 lb unspecified basis; allow cable, paper loading/output and cartridge access.
Sources for this assessment
- HP exact LaserJet 1018 and 1020 Macintosh-support limitation
- HP US exact 12A Q2612A technical yield and compatibility
- HP US exact LaserJet 1020 Q5911A#ABA identity and discontinued notice
- HP original LaserJet 1020 User Guide, Edition 2 December 2016
- HP US exact LaserJet 1020 ordinary media, regional power and body specifications
- HP US LaserJet 1020 positively labeled recommended monthly volume
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