22. HP OfficeJet Pro vs Brother MFC-L2710DW: TCO over 3 years

The decision to invest in a new all-in-one printer often hinges not just on upfront cost but on the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the life of the device. If you’re weighing the HP OfficeJet Pro against the Brother MFC-L2710DW for your home or office needs, you’re likely concerned about long-term affordability and value, especially in light of high OEM cartridge prices and the potential trade-offs involved in using third-party supplies. This article breaks down the TCO for both printers over a three-year period, focusing on factors like cartridge yield, cost per page, reliability, and compatibility risks to help you make an informed choice.

What is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for Printers?

TCO includes all expenses related to owning and operating a printer beyond its purchase price. The main components are:

• Initial cost — The retail price of the printer itself.
• Consumables costs — This covers ink or toner cartridges and any necessary replacements.
• Maintenance and repairs — Routine service, parts replacement, and downtime costs.
• Energy consumption — Electricity costs for running and idle periods.
• Replacement intervals — How often you need to replace consumables or the printer itself.

For inkjet and laser printers used in small offices or home environments, consumables usually dominate TCO, so focusing on cartridge yield and cost per page gives a clearer view of what you’ll actually pay.

See also: Cost Per Page Savings Using Compatible Ink vs OEM Cartridges

Printer Overview: HP OfficeJet Pro vs Brother MFC-L2710DW

Feature	HP OfficeJet Pro	Brother MFC-L2710DW
Printer Type	Color Inkjet	Monochrome Laser
Initial Retail Price (approx.)	Moderate ($150-$200)	Lower ($100-$130)
Cartridge Type	Ink cartridges (separate color cartridges)	Toner cartridge (single black)
Cartridge Yield (est.)	Color: ~1,000 pages (combo) / Black: 1,200 pages	Black: ~1,200 pages (standard)
OEM Cartridge Cost	High (especially for color)	Moderate
Third-Party Cartridge Availability	Widely available	Widely available
Print Speed	Approx. 20 ppm black/color	Approx. 32 ppm black
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet, Wireless	USB, Ethernet, Wireless

These basic facts set the stage for our TCO comparison by highlighting fundamentally different printing technologies (inkjet vs laser), print output (color vs mono), and cartridge style.

How Cartridge Yield and Cost-per-Page Impact Your Bottom Line

Cartridge Yield and Cost Comparison

The biggest variable in TCO is how often you need to buy replacement cartridges and how much each costs. Let’s break down the costs using general estimates from market pricing and average cartridge yields:

Printer Model	Cartridge Type	OEM Cartridge Cost	Approx. Yield (pages)	Cost per Page (OEM)
HP OfficeJet Pro	Black ink cartridge	$35	1,200	2.9 cents
	Color ink combo set	$60	1,000 (combined CMY)	6 cents
Brother MFC-L2710DW	Black toner cartridge	$70	1,200	5.8 cents

Calculating Total Consumables Cost Over 3 Years

Assuming a moderate monthly volume of 250 black-and-white pages and 100 color pages for the HP:

• HP OfficeJet Pro:

  • Black ink: 250 pages x 36 months = 9,000 pages / 1,200 yield = 7.5 cartridges × $35 = $262.5
  • Color ink: 100 pages x 36 months = 3,600 pages / 1,000 yield = 3.6 sets × $60 = $216
  • Total ink cost ≈ $478.5

• Brother MFC-L2710DW:

  • Black toner: 350 pages x 36 months = 12,600 pages / 1,200 yield = 10.5 cartridges × $70 = $735

This simplified example shows that while the Brother toner cartridges cost more up front, the absence of color printing and generally higher yield may keep consumables costs competitive depending on usage.

Reliability and Compatibility Trade-Offs

Brand-Name vs Third-Party Cartridges

OEM cartridges tend to be more reliable with better print quality and fewer issues like clogging or detection errors. However, their pricing strategy leads many users to consider third-party options. Both HP and Brother printers attract a large market of compatible and remanufactured cartridges, but compatibility risk varies:

• HP OfficeJet Pro: More prone to firmware updates that “lock out” third-party cartridges intermittently, requiring manual resets or workarounds.
• Brother MFC-L2710DW: Generally more lenient firmware, fewer detection lockouts reported.

Maintenance and Downtime

Laser printers like the Brother can have lower maintenance costs, as toner cartridges don’t dry out and generally last longer once installed. Inkjets like HP may require more frequent head cleaning and can suffer from nozzle blockages if not used regularly.

Print Quality and Usage Scenarios

• HP OfficeJet Pro: Better for low-volume color printing, marketing collateral, or documents requiring vibrant images.
• Brother MFC-L2710DW: Suitable for high-volume black-and-white printing with faster speeds and lower risk of ink wastage.

Energy Consumption Considerations

Laser printers usually consume more energy when warming up but often have faster print speeds reducing overall use time. Inkjet printers have lower power draw but take longer per page. In most small office or home office cases, energy cost differences are minor compared to consumables costs.

Summary Comparison Table: TCO Considerations Over 3 Years

Aspect	HP OfficeJet Pro	Brother MFC-L2710DW	Notes
Initial Printer Cost	Higher ($150-$200)	Lower ($100-$130)	Brother initially cheaper
Consumables Cost (3 yrs)	~$480 (color + black OEM ink)	~$735 (black OEM toner)	HP lower if color print volume is low
Use of Third-Party Cartridges	Prone to firmware lockouts, compatibility issues possible	More compatible with aftermarket cartridges	Brother better for third-party ink loyalty
Print Speed	~20 ppm (color & b/w)	~32 ppm (black)	Brother much faster for b/w printing
Color Printing	Yes	No	HP needed if color is required
Maintenance & Reliability	Moderate (ink drying, nozzle cleaning)	Low (toner long-lasting, less clogging)	Brother may reduce downtime
Total Cost Suitability	Budget-conscious but need color	High-volume black & white printing	Depends on usage profile

When to Choose Which Printer?

• Go with the HP OfficeJet Pro if:

  • You need a versatile color printer with acceptable print speed.
  • Your color print volumes are moderate, so consumables costs stay manageable.
  • You can tolerate potential third-party ink lockouts or commit to OEM cartridges.
  • You prefer sharper photo prints and marketing materials in color.

• Choose the Brother MFC-L2710DW if:

  • Your primary printing is black and white with high volume.
  • You want faster print speeds and minimal maintenance.
  • You’re sensitive to printer and cartridge prices and want consistent third-party compatibility.
  • Color printing is not a priority.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Ignoring color use cases: Buying a monochrome laser just to save on toner costs when color printing is needed will frustrate you and increase outsourcing costs.
2. Expecting third-party cartridges to always work flawlessly: Firmware updates and chip lockouts can suddenly block compatible cartridges.
3. Underestimating cartridge yield variability: Environmental factors and print settings affect real-world yields noticeably.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much can I save by using third-party cartridges in these printers?
A: Savings of 30-60% per cartridge are common with third-party cartridges, but beware compatibility risks and potential print quality issues or printer firmware lockouts.

Q: Will the HP OfficeJet Pro ink cartridges dry out if I don’t print often?
A: Yes, ink cartridges in an inkjet printer can dry out if unused for extended periods, leading to clogged nozzles and wasted ink. Frequent printing is recommended.

Q: Which printer has lower environmental impact over its lifespan?
A: Laser printers like the Brother tend to have longer-lasting toner cartridges and less waste from consumables replacements compared to inkjet cartridges, but energy use and paper waste from failed prints also factor in.

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Balancing cost, reliability, and printing needs is essential. For color versatility and lower monthly page volume, the HP OfficeJet Pro may offer a more cost-effective TCO. For heavy-duty black-and-white printing with faster throughput and easier aftermarket cartridge options, the Brother MFC-L2710DW stands out. Carefully consider your actual color usage, volume, and tolerance for cartridge compatibility issues to find the best fit for your budget and workflow.

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