Hp color laserjet 179fnw Review: The Compact Colour Laser MFP for Home Offices

Hp color laserjet 179fnw – Your Compact Colour Laser Solution
If you’re juggling invoices, presentations, and occasional photos from a modest desk, you need a printer that does it all without hogging space or breaking the bank. The HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw promises exactly that: colour laser quality, wireless freedom, and four‑in‑one functionality in a footprint that fits even the tightest home‑office nook.
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Overview of the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw
The HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw is a multifunction colour laser printer designed for small businesses and home offices. It combines printing, copying, scanning, and faxing in a single, sleek chassis. Key points from the product description include:
- Print speed: up to 18 ppm (black) and 4 ppm (colour) on A4.
- Connectivity: built‑in Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB.
- Paper handling: 150‑sheet input tray plus a 40‑sheet automatic document feeder (ADF).
- Price: KES 62,000, positioning it as an affordable entry‑level colour laser.
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Key Features & Specifications of the Hp color laserjet 179fnw
Below is a quick‑scan of the most important specs you’ll rely on day‑to‑day:
- Printing technology: Colour laser (HP V4 Toner cartridges).
- Resolution: Up to 1200 × 1200 dpi for sharp text and vivid images.
- Print speed: 18 ppm (black) / 4 ppm (colour) on A4.
- First‑page-out time: Approx. 7 seconds for black, 9 seconds for colour.
- Paper capacity: 150‑sheet input tray + 40‑sheet ADF.
- Maximum paper size: A4, Letter, Legal, and custom sizes up to 8.5 × 14 in.
- Connectivity: Wi‑Fi (802.11b/g/n), Wi‑Fi Direct, Ethernet (RJ‑45), USB 2.0.
- Operating systems: Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux (via generic driver), and mobile OSes via HP Smart app.
- Energy: ENERGY STAR® certified, low‑power sleep mode.
- Dimensions: 400 mm × 360 mm × 230 mm.
- Weight: 12 kg.
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Who It's Best For
- Home‑office entrepreneurs who need colour documents (proposals, marketing flyers) without a bulky desktop printer.
- Small teams of 2‑5 people who share a single device for printing, copying, and scanning.
- Freelancers in design or marketing who value colour accuracy but can’t justify a full‑size colour laser.
- Educational tutors who print worksheets and need a reliable scanner for student assignments.
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How It Compares to Alternatives
| Feature | HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw | Brother HL‑L2350DW (B&W) | Canon imageCLASS MF644Cdw |
|---------|--------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------|
| Colour printing | ✅ (laser) | ❌ | ✅ (laser) |
| Print speed (black) | 18 ppm | 32 ppm | 22 ppm |
| Print speed (colour) | 4 ppm | N/A | 11 ppm |
| Wireless | Wi‑Fi + Wi‑Fi Direct | Wi‑Fi | Wi‑Fi + NFC |
| ADF capacity | 40 pages | 50 pages (scan only) | 50 pages |
| Price (KES) | 62,000 | ~45,000 | ~85,000 |
| Footprint | Small | Small | Larger |
The Brother HL‑L2350DW is cheaper but limited to black‑and‑white, making it unsuitable if colour is a must‑have. The Canon imageCLASS MF644Cdw delivers faster colour output and a richer touchscreen, but it commands a significantly higher price and a larger footprint. The HP 179fnw lands in the sweet spot for users who need colour, moderate speed, and a budget‑friendly price.
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What to Check Before You Buy
- Volume expectations: If you print more than 2,000 pages per month, the toner cost may add up; consider a higher‑capacity model.
- Paper size needs: The 150‑sheet tray handles A4 and Letter well, but legal‑size jobs will require manual loading.
- Network environment: Ensure your Wi‑Fi supports 2.4 GHz; the printer does not yet support 5 GHz only networks.
- Mobile workflow: Download the HP Smart app to take full advantage of wireless printing and scanning to cloud services.
- Future expansion: The device does not have a second paper tray; if you anticipate needing two different paper types simultaneously, you’ll need to upgrade later.
- [ ] Estimate monthly print volume.
- [ ] Verify Wi‑Fi compatibility.
- [ ] Confirm that colour output meets your branding standards.
- [ ] Check that the 150‑sheet tray satisfies your typical job size.
- [ ] Budget for HP V4 toner cartridges (black and colour).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the print speed of the Hp color laserjet 179fnw?
The printer delivers up to 18 pages per minute for black‑and‑white documents and 4 pages per minute for colour on standard A4 paper. This makes it ideal for occasional colour jobs and faster black‑text printing.2. Does the 179fnw support duplex (double‑sided) printing?
Yes, the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw includes automatic duplex printing, allowing you to print on both sides of a sheet without manual re‑feeding.3. Can I print directly from my smartphone?
Absolutely. Using the HP Smart app (available for iOS and Android) you can print photos, PDFs, and emails directly from your mobile device via Wi‑Fi or Wi‑Fi Direct.4. How much does a set of HP V4 toner cartridges cost?
A typical set (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) runs between KES 4,000‑5,500 depending on retailer and whether you choose standard or high‑yield cartridges.5. Is the HP 179fnw easy to set up in a mixed‑OS environment?
Yes. HP provides universal drivers for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus the HP Smart app for mobile. The printer’s web interface also allows configuration via any web browser.---
Final Verdict
The Hp color laserjet 179fnw strikes an impressive balance between cost, functionality, and footprint. Its colour laser output, built‑in ADF, and robust wireless options make it a standout choice for home‑office professionals who need a reliable, all‑in‑one device without the bulk of a large office printer. While it isn’t built for high‑volume print farms, it comfortably handles the typical demands of a small team or solo entrepreneur. If you value colour capability, wireless convenience, and an affordable price tag, the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw should be at the top of your shortlist.
Ready to upgrade your workspace? Click the link below to purchase the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw today and experience professional‑grade colour printing at a home‑office price.
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