Choosing between two HP all-in-one printers and scanners can feel tricky, because both are copier/scanner/printer combos, but they're built for different habits. Do you need to move through stacks of text pages quickly and send faxes from the same machine? Or do you want a new wireless inkjet that can print color documents without adding a constant stream of ink purchases? That's the core tension between these two models.
Quick verdict: The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw wins for anyone who needs high-volume black-page printing. The HP Smart Tank 6001 wins for anyone who wants a color inkjet at a lower price.
The comparison below makes the core differences easy to scan.
| Product | Price | Print Type | Black Print Speed | Connectivity | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw | $280.00 | Laser all-in-one | 42 ppm | Ethernet (RJ-45), USB 2.0 | Used |
| HP Smart Tank 6001 | $199.99 | Ink tank all-in-one | 12 ppm | Wireless, Bluetooth, HP Jetdirect, USB 2.0 | New |
Think of the LaserJet Pro as the workhorse and the Smart Tank as the family helper.
Where each printer wins:
- Best for big batch printing: The LaserJet Pro is built for high-volume black-and-white output, while the Smart Tank is better suited to shorter runs.
- Fax capability: The LaserJet adds fax on top of copying and scanning, so you can handle faxes from one device. The Smart Tank focuses on wireless versatility and portability instead.
- Connectivity approaches: The Smart Tank lists a broader mix of connection options, while the LaserJet focuses on wired connectivity.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw
Choose this one if your printing diet is mostly black text and speed is non-negotiable. The LaserJet Pro's 42 ppm black print speed is the standout number here, and it's obvious why a busy office would want that kind of throughput. The 42 ppm speed isn't just a box number; it means you're not standing around waiting for a 20-page report. Also, the Ethernet port is valuable if your office network can't rely on wireless. You also get fax, copying, and scanning in the same unit, which keeps the workflow on one machine. The connectivity is wired via Ethernet (RJ-45) and USB 2.0, so it belongs on a desk with a network cable rather than floating around the house. The slight catch is that the unit is listed as used, and the $280 price is the higher of the two. Ease of use still comes through, though: the description mentions the copy function has been tested and produces clean copies.
HP Smart Tank 6001
The Smart Tank flips the value equation. At $199.99, it's the more affordable printer, and because it's listed as new, some of the worry that comes with a used machine disappears. It's a wireless inkjet with Bluetooth, so you can set it up anywhere the Wi-Fi reaches. The Smart Tank's feature set includes portable, so it's easy to move between rooms, and that makes it a great companion for printing from a phone or a laptop around the house. The biggest practical advantage is the ink situation: the box includes up to two years of Original HP ink, and the printer is built for color documents, with color resolution up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi from a computer. The tradeoff is speed-12 ppm black is fine for short runs but not for heavy workloads. If you're printing school assignments, party flyers, and occasional home-office pages, this is the more flexible, lower-risk pick.
Final choice by use case:
For a family or home office that prints color pages, photos, and everyday documents, the HP Smart Tank 6001 is the natural fit. Its wireless connections and low-maintenance design make it the easy pick. For a busy office that prints high volumes of black text, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw is the speed leader, with a fax function built into the same unit.
