HP M12w: small USB/Wi-Fi mono printer with manual duplex review

A small monochrome printer with two ordinary connection choices

The HP LaserJet Pro M12w, product T0L46A, is a dedicated black-and-white laser printer with USB 2.0 and built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. Its single 150-sheet input and manual two-sided routine suit modest document work when a compatible computer driver is available. There is no scanner, copier, fax, glass or document feeder.

HP's exact US page identifies T0L46A and explicitly marks it discontinued. This review concerns the documented US low-voltage arrangement, rather than a promise about new stock. The exact specifications separately list a 115–127-V, 60-Hz version and a 220–240-V, 50-Hz version. Check the actual electrical plate; those entries do not describe a universal supply.

HP rates black output up to 19 Letter ppm, separately 18 A4 ppm. Recommended monthly volume is 100–1,000 pages, distinct from the 5,000-page maximum duty. Those declarations describe a small print routine and are not measurements or automatic-duplex throughput.

Establish the computer connection and check the lights

The original setup guide distinguishes a direct A-to-B USB cable connection from installation on an existing wireless network. For the documented Windows setup, wait for the installer to request the cable. The guide provides separate Mac installation instructions, so follow the actual compatible installer rather than assuming one sequence for every system.

For Wi-Fi, the printer, router and computer must be on the intended network. The M12w has a wireless button and blue status light: the light blinks while looking for a network and remains on when connected. If the installer cannot find a configured printer, the original instructions allow entering its IP address.

Hold the Cancel button for approximately five seconds to print a configuration page. Its network information helps identify the device and check the wireless network name. The control panel uses lights and buttons, not a touchscreen with scan or fax functions.

Verify the exact driver on the intended computer, including any manual-duplex controls. Historical Windows and OS X support lists are not a guarantee that every present system has the same installer, utility or settings. The actual rear interface map and exact specifications do not provide Ethernet.

HP Wireless Direct is a separate legacy arrangement

The original M12w setup guide explicitly calls its router-free connection HP Wireless Direct. Compatible devices join the printer's own wireless signal as they would join a wireless network. This review keeps that name distinct from Wi-Fi Direct and does not tag it as the latter.

The full guide describes enabling Wireless Direct through the embedded web server. After ordinary network setup, print the configuration page, open its printer address in a browser and use Networking, Wireless Direct Setup. Enable the feature, choose its network name and apply the setting.

The guide lists compatible Android devices with the HP Print Service or Mopria plugin and certain Windows 8.1 computers with the HP driver. HP also explicitly declares Mopria certification for the exact M12w. Mobile printing remains a separate route: exact paper controls, tray capacity selection and manual second-side behavior are not borrowed from a desktop driver.

Ordinary Android network printing places the phone and printer on the same subnet. AirPrint remains unconfirmed here; a generic AirPrint caution in the Mac manual-duplex instructions is insufficient to establish that protocol for this model. The older ePrint email setup also has separate web-service, account and Internet requirements and is not treated as mandatory for local USB printing.

Load the input and return pages for manual duplex

Letter, Legal and A4 are supported. Ordinary input is up to 150 sheets, while the output bin holds up to 100; the two quantities serve different jobs. The reviewed sources do not establish the specific paper-weight basis of the 150-sheet capacity, so it is not applied to thick stock or envelopes.

Open the input tray, move its width and length guides outward, place paper face up with the top forward, and bring the guides snugly against the stack. For preprinted paper or letterhead, the original table specifies the top edge entering the printer. Prepunched stock loads with holes on the printer's left.

In the compatible Windows driver, use Finishing and Print on both sides manually. After side one, retrieve the output while maintaining its orientation and put it back in the input with the printed face down. Click Continue at the computer to print the second side. This requires a visit to the printer and does not meet an automatic two-sided printing requirement.

For an envelope job, select Envelope in Paper/Quality and use an appropriate supported size. Load face up with the short return-address end entering first. The original input-tray procedure advises ten envelopes, while a current regional specification lists fifteen; this review follows the narrower original handling guidance and does not add a separate priority input from generic wording.

Allow operating space and accessible cartridge replacement

The original guide gives a width of 349 mm, or 13.7 inches, and closed height of 196 mm, or 7.7 inches. Exact current and original depth figures differ, and the original open/closed table repeats the same depth despite the tray diagram. Measure the intended location with the tray and output support open; a tight depth requirement remains unconfirmed here. The model weighs approximately 5.2 kg, or 11.5 lb, with cartridges according to the exact model specifications.

The replacement cartridge is HP 79A, CF279A. Open the cartridge door, remove the old cartridge, unpack the replacement and remove its sealing tape and release tab. Gently rock it to distribute toner, align it with the internal tracks and seat it before closing the door. Avoid touching the imaging drum or roller surface. Neither a low-toner estimate nor the introductory cartridge declaration establishes the remaining toner in an earlier unit.