Choosing between a wide-format printer and a plotter usually comes down to one question: do you want a single machine for everyday document work plus the occasional bigger print, or do you need true large-format output for technical drawings? The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 and the HP DesignJet T230 answer that question differently, and the $419 price difference makes the choice more consequential.
Quick verdict
If you want one machine that handles everyday office tasks and the occasional oversize document, the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 is the sensible choice at $240.99. If your priority is professional wide-format output with crisp line work, the HP DesignJet T230 is the one to pick at $659.99.
| Product | List price | Best for | Key specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 | $240.99 | Everyday office work plus A3 printing | 4800 x 1200 DPI, A6-A3 paper, wireless, Ethernet, USB 2.0, duplex, scan/copy/fax |
| HP DesignJet T230 | $659.99 | 24-inch technical drawings and posters | 1200 x 1200 DPI, 24-inch wide output, 4.3-inch touchscreen, wireless and Ethernet |
Where each product wins
The OfficeJet Pro 7740 wins on convenience and price. It keeps several office functions in one unit, so you don't need separate devices on your desk. The DesignJet T230 wins on output size and print sharpness. It is built to produce wide-format plans and posters with a larger carriage than a standard office machine can offer.
HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer
The OfficeJet Pro 7740 is the practical one-box solution. It prints in color with a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 DPI and accepts paper from A6 up to A3, so oversized spreadsheets and marketing materials stay within reach. It also scans, copies, faxes, and handles duplex printing, which keeps your desk free of extra devices. For a home office or small business that prints standard documents most days and occasionally needs a bigger page, this machine covers both without much thought. The limitation is paper size: A3 is as large as the printer goes, so it cannot handle wider plans or banners. If your projects stay within A3, this all-in-one is a strong fit; if they go beyond, you need a wider carriage.
New Open Box HP DesignJet T230 24-Inch Printer, 5HB07T#B1K
The DesignJet T230 is built for work that needs real width. It prints up to 24 inches wide with a true 1200 x 1200 DPI resolution, which is why technical drawings, site plans, posters, and renderings stay clean and readable. An integrated 4.3-inch touchscreen makes printing less fiddly, and wireless and Ethernet options let a workgroup share it without moving files to one cable-connected computer. Its compact footprint is a practical plus for offices that don't have a dedicated print room. The trade-off is the higher list price, which is easier to justify when 24-inch output is a regular part of your week. The wide-format focus is ideal when large-format output is your primary job, but those who need that width only occasionally will have a harder time getting full value from it.
Final choice by use case
- For a home office or general business, pick the OfficeJet Pro 7740 when you want a single machine for day-to-day printing plus the occasional oversized page, without adding another device.
- For an architecture, engineering, or design team, choose the DesignJet T230 when your daily output consists of large-format drawings and displays that need a wider print path.
- For a mixed workload, the OfficeJet keeps your desk simpler if wide-format prints are rare; the DesignJet is the better fit when large-format output is a regular, non-negotiable part of your workflow.
