HP LaserJet Pro M201dw review

An earlier monochrome printer with useful connection choices

The HP LaserJet Pro M201dw is a print-only monochrome laser for a small workgroup that mainly produces text documents. Its combination of automatic two-sided printing, a 250-sheet main tray, Ethernet and ordinary Wi-Fi makes more sense for that role than for a multifunction office. A separate scanner remains necessary.

The exact U.S. page identifies CF456A#BGJ and marks it discontinued. Evaluate an offered unit as earlier equipment: confirm its actual condition, regional electrical label, present driver support and supplies before treating a surviving specification page as a current retail offer.

The dw hardware differs from the other M201 versions

The original guide covers several M201 and M202 variants. Its actual M201dw column includes automatic duplex, wired Ethernet and wireless networking. The M201n and M201d columns differ, so a shortened listing that drops the suffix can change the machine you receive.

USB 2.0 allows a direct computer connection. Ethernet and ordinary Wi-Fi offer normal network printing; the U.S. footnote limits wireless operation to 2.4 GHz. This is useful for choosing a practical location, but the physical room and access point still affect wireless performance.

The compact body is 15.1 × 11.1 × 9.9 inches in the actual dw column. HP's maximum-depth figure reaches 15.9 inches with the configuration extended. Keep working space for loading and rear jam access instead of fitting it tightly against a wall.

Automatic duplex has an actual size boundary

The operating guide's paper table explicitly includes Letter, Legal and A4 in the automatic-duplex column. That is stronger evidence than a generic “two-sided” headline. Choose the correct paper size and type in the compatible desktop driver, then select its two-sided setting.

The same table does not turn envelopes or every supported custom size into duplex media. Envelopes have a separately instructed one-sided orientation. Heavy paper and other specialist types also have restrictions, so check the actual table rather than using the ordinary-paper duplex setting for every job.

The Mac procedure specifically uses the HP driver and warns that its duplex setting may be unavailable through AirPrint. An installed duplex unit and a working native mobile print route therefore do not guarantee the same application options. Establish the exact driver workflow if two-sided output is essential.

Two input paths are useful for different jobs

The standard arrangement combines a 250-sheet main tray with a ten-sheet priority feed. The original size table names Letter, Legal and A4 in both paths. This is 260 total ordinary-paper positions, rather than an optional extra cassette. The output tray has a separate 150-sheet limit.

The priority path can spare you from emptying the main supply for a short special-media job. HP's loading instructions specify paper orientation, guide adjustment and the maximum-height indicators. They also tell users to straighten the stack without fanning it when adding paper. These details matter more to the actual routine than simply adding the two capacity numbers.

Workload and supplies suit moderate text output

The maker's declaration is up to 26 Letter pages per minute, compared with 25 on A4, under its stated ISO conditions. This is a one-sided rating, not a measured speed here or a duplex-page promise. HP recommends 250–2000 printed pages monthly; the 30000-page maximum duty number is a separate comparison.

The U.S. package originally included a roughly 1500-page black cartridge. Replacement choices are 83A at about 1500 pages and 83X at about 2200 under the stated ISO/IEC 19752 conditions. The shared guide's 88A entry is explicitly regional to China and India. Check the correct cartridge identity and remaining supply life for the offered machine rather than assuming regional interchangeability.

Keep mobile printing and security claims precise

AirPrint and Mopria are documented network printing options. HP Wireless Direct is a separately configured legacy peer method, potentially requiring a firmware update. It is distinct from the office network and does not establish standard Wi-Fi Direct protocol support. Historical ePrint examples need a present service check.

The EWS administrator password controls management access. It does not establish PIN-held confidential jobs. Choose another documented setup if secure print release, color output, scanning or copying is an essential part of the same workflow.