HP Deskjet 940c Printer

Introduction

The HP Deskjet 940c is an inkjet printer designed primarily for home and small office use. Released in the early 2000s, this printer became popular due to its reliability and decent performance at a relatively affordable price point. While technology has advanced since its release, the HP Deskjet 940c still holds significance for those seeking a straightforward and dependable printing solution without modern frills.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Deskjet 940c features a compact and robust design, characteristic of HP’s Deskjet line from that era. It is housed in a light grey and black plastic casing, which, though utilitarian, has a simple and clean aesthetic suitable for most workspaces. The build quality is durable, which was a common feature of HP printers from this time, ensuring the printer’s longevity even after heavy use. Access to the ink cartridges is straightforward, simplifying maintenance and ink replacement for users.

Print Quality and Performance

The printer offers impressive print quality for its time, with a resolution of up to 2400 x 1200 dpi for color prints. This allows for detailed and vibrant color reproduction, suitable for basic photo printing and graphical documents. Black and white prints are crisp at a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi. The Deskjet 940c performs reasonably well in terms of speed, with black-and-white documents printing at speeds of up to 12 pages per minute and color pages at up to 10 pages per minute, making it suitable for moderate volume printing tasks.

Connectivity and Compatibility

Since it was developed during a time when USB was becoming standard, the Deskjet 940c primarily uses USB 1.1 for connectivity, although it does include a parallel port to ensure compatibility with older computers. It supports various operating systems, including Windows and Mac OS versions popular at the time of its release. However, as operating systems have evolved, users may need to download specific drivers or use third-party solutions to ensure compatibility with modern systems.

Features

The Deskjet 940c lacks some of the advanced features found in modern printers, such as built-in scanning, copying, or wireless capabilities. It is a straightforward printer that focuses solely on printing. One noteworthy feature is its ability to handle different media types, including cards, envelopes, photo media, and transparencies, which adds to its versatility for various printing projects.

Cost and Value

Given its age, the HP Deskjet 940c is often available at a low cost in second-hand markets. It uses the widely available HP 45 black and HP 78 tricolor ink cartridges, which are generally easy to find and affordably priced today. Its initial affordability, combined with the ongoing availability of ink, makes it a viable option for those on a budget seeking a basic printing solution without the need for the latest technology.