HP Smart Tank 5101  User Manual

The HP Smart Tank 5101 is an all-in-one supertank inkjet printer designed for home and small office use. It is part of the HP Smart Tank 5000/5100 series, which emphasizes low-cost printing with high page yields and refillable ink tanks.

Key Features

• Multi-Functionality: The printer supports printing, scanning, and copying functions.
• Print Technology: Utilizes HP Thermal Inkjet technology.
• Print Speed: Offers a print speed of up to 12 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white documents and up to 5 ppm for color documents.
• Print Resolution: Capable of producing prints at a maximum resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi.

Connectivity Options
The HP Smart Tank 5101 provides multiple connectivity options:

• Wireless Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth Low Energy.
• Wired Connectivity: Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port.

Mobile Printing Capability
Supports various mobile printing services including:

• HP Smart app
• Apple AirPrint
• Mopria Print Service
• HP Print Service Plugin for Android

Paper Handling Specifications

• Input Capacity: Up to 100 sheets in the input tray; supports various media sizes including A4, Letter, Legal, and several photo sizes.
• Output Capacity: Up to 30 sheets.
• Duplex Printing: Manual duplex printing is supported.

Environmental Specifications
The printer is ENERGY STAR certified and made from 45% post-consumer recycled plastic. It operates efficiently within a recommended temperature range of 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F) and humidity levels between 20% to 80% RH.

Ink System and Cost Efficiency
The HP Smart Tank 5101 uses a refillable ink tank system with four ink bottles (one black and three color). This design allows for a significantly lower cost-per-print compared to traditional cartridge-based printers. The average yield per bottle is substantial, making it ideal for users who print frequently.

Performance Insights
While the printer excels in cost efficiency due to its high page yield, it has some limitations:

• Print quality for color documents may appear washed out or less detailed compared to competitors.
• The printheads are prone to clogging, requiring regular maintenance.
• The printer’s speed can be slow when processing large jobs or photos.

User Experience & Design Considerations
The design includes a basic flatbed scanner without an automatic document feeder (ADF), which may hinder productivity when scanning multi-page documents. The user interface consists of physical buttons with a small display that limits visibility from angles other than directly above the unit.

Overall, the HP Smart Tank 5101 is positioned as an economical choice for families or small offices needing reliable printing capabilities without incurring high ongoing costs associated with traditional ink cartridges.