HP Smart Tank 790 vs OfficeJet Pro 9130: Which is Best for Hybrid Work?

The shift towards hybrid work has amplified the need for reliable, versatile office equipment that bridges the gap between home and professional environments. The right printer for work can help maintain productivity and efficiency in such setups. 

If you’re on the lookout for printers for home offices, two standout options for hybrid workspaces are the HP Smart Tank 790 All-in-One and the OfficeJet Pro 9130. This article compares their features, performance and cost-effectiveness to help you determine which is best suited for your hybrid work needs. 

HP Smart Tank 790 All-in-One Printer

The HP Smart Tank 790 is a versatile all-in-one printer offering a range of features for home and small office use. It can print at speeds up to 23 ppm in black and 22 ppm in colour, providing fast and efficient printing for everyday documents. The printer also supports automatic two-sided printing to save time and paper.

The HP Smart Tank 790 features a 35-page auto-document feeder (ADF) for hands-free scanning and copying of multi-page documents. Users can also utilise the integrated touch panel to easily control the scanning and copying functions. 

The printer offers dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users print, scan and copy wirelessly from their smartphones, tablets or computers. It also supports Ethernet networking for wired connections.

The HP Smart Tank 790 is compatible with various mobile printing solutions, including Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service and the HP Smart app, enabling direct printing from mobile devices. The printer comes with high-capacity ink bottles, allowing you to print up to 12,000 black pages or 8,000 colour pages without frequent ink replacements. The integrated ink tank design also simplifies the refilling process, reducing the risk of spills.

Overall, the HP Smart Tank 790 is a feature-rich all-in-one printer that caters to the needs of home and small office users, offering reliable performance, wireless connectivity and a cost-effective printing solution.

OfficeJet Pro 9130 All-in-One Printer

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9130 All-in-One Printer is designed to elevate your business printing experience with its advanced features and impressive performance. This printer is the perfect companion for busy offices and professionals who demand high-quality, efficient printing.

At the heart of the OfficeJet Pro 9130 is its ability to deliver lightning-fast printing speeds of up to 25 pages per minute in black and 20 pages per minute in colour. This allows you to quickly handle printing tasks, whether it's preparing presentations, printing sales collaterals or churning out important documents. The automatic double-sided printing functionality further enhances productivity.

The OfficeJet Pro 9130 is more than just a high-speed printer; it's also a versatile all-in-one device, offering seamless scanning, copying and faxing capabilities. This makes it an indispensable tool for managing office workflows, from digitising important documents to sharing information with colleagues and clients.

Connectivity is another standout feature of the OfficeJet Pro 9130. With built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet and support for Apple AirPrint, Mopria and the HP Smart app, you can easily print from several devices, including smartphones and tablets. This flexibility ensures you can stay productive and connected, no matter where you're working from.

Designed with the needs of modern businesses in mind, the OfficeJet Pro 9130 also boasts impressive security features. It comes equipped with HP Wolf Pro Security, which helps protect your sensitive information and maintain the integrity of your network. This gives you the peace of mind to focus on your work, knowing that your printing environment is always secure.

Whether you're running a small office or managing a larger team, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9130 All-in-One Printer is a versatile and reliable solution that can help streamline your printing workflows and boost your productivity. 

Feature Comparison

The HP Smart Tank 790 and OfficeJet Pro 9130 are both versatile and very capable all-in-one printers for work, but they differ in several key areas. 

In terms of print speed, the OfficeJet Pro 9130 has a slight edge, capable of printing up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 20 ppm in colour, compared to 23 ppm (black) and 22 ppm (colour) for the Smart Tank 790. However, both printers offer automatic two-sided printing to save time and paper.

When it comes to print quality, both models produce sharp, vivid results suitable for professional documents and photo printing, given their use of HP's inkjet technology.

The OfficeJet Pro 9130 pulls ahead in its paper handling capabilities, with a higher maximum monthly duty cycle of up to 30,000 pages compared to 6,000 for the Smart Tank 790. 

Both printer models also include fax functionality, which could be valuable for some office environments. Connectivity is a strength for both printers, as they offer dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet and support for mobile printing from popular standards like AirPrint, Mopria and the HP Smart app.

One key difference is ink delivery. The Smart Tank 790 uses easy-to-refill ink tanks that can print up to 12,000 black or 8,000 colour pages before needing a refill. The 9130 uses more traditional ink cartridges which may need replacing more frequently.

Both hybrid printers integrate scanning, copying, wireless printing and touchscreen controls in a compact all-in-one design. For home office users, the Smart Tank 790's super high-yield inks could provide a longer-term economic advantage. The faster speeds and higher volume ratings make the OfficeJet Pro 9130 a strong pick for busier small and micro offices.

Performance and Reliability

Let’s take a look at the performance and reliability of the HP Smart Tank 790 and the OfficeJet Pro 9130 based on user reviews.

HP Smart Tank 790 All-in-One Printer

The HP Smart Tank 790 All-in-One Printer is highly praised for its robust performance and reliability. Users frequently highlight the high page yield of Smart Tank printers, thanks to the integrated ink tank system which significantly reduces the frequency of refills and contributes to its cost-effectiveness. 

The printer’s print speed and quality are commendable, producing sharp, clear text and vibrant images. User reviews often note the reliability of the wireless connectivity, which facilitates seamless printing from various devices without interruptions. 

Additionally, the Smart Tank 790’s durability is frequently mentioned, with many users appreciating its sturdy build that withstands regular use without compromising performance.

HP OfficeJet Pro 9130 All-in-One Printer

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9130 All-in-One Printer is similarly celebrated for its excellent performance and reliability. Users appreciate its high-speed printing capabilities, which are particularly beneficial for business environments where efficiency is crucial. 

The automatic double-sided printing feature and the substantial 250-sheet input tray are highlighted for enhancing productivity. Reviews often commend the print quality suitable for professional documents and presentations, delivering crisp text and vivid colours. 

Reliability is a strong point, with the self-healing Wi-Fi feature ensuring stable and uninterrupted connectivity. Durability is another positive aspect, as users report consistent performance over extended periods, indicating the printer’s long-term reliability.

Overall, both printers exhibit strong performance and reliability, making them suitable for hybrid work environments. The choice between the two may depend on specific requirements such as the need for high-volume printing with the Smart Tank 790 or the advanced features and professional quality of the OfficeJet Pro 9130.

Cost Analysis

When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the HP Smart Tank 790 All-in-One and the OfficeJet Pro 9130 printers, several factors come into play, including the initial purchase price, ongoing ink or toner expenses, maintenance costs and overall value for money.

The HP Smart Tank 790 All-in-One is priced at around INR 28,499 (approximately USD 340). It is a low-cost, high-volume printer, with the ability to print up to 8,000 colour pages or 12,000 black pages from the ink included in the box. 

This makes it highly economical for users with high printing demands. The cost per page is significantly lower compared to traditional cartridge-based printers, due to the bulk ink system which reduces the frequency and cost of refills.

In contrast, the OfficeJet Pro 9130 typically has a higher initial purchase price, averaging around INR 42,255 ( approximately USD 500). This model is designed for business environments, offering robust features like high-speed printing and automatic double-sided printing. 

However, the cost of replacement ink cartridges can add up, especially for users with high-volume printing needs. Despite this, the OfficeJet Pro 9130 boasts lower costs per page compared to many other cartridge-based printers, due to its efficient use of ink and larger cartridge sizes.

Maintenance costs for both models are relatively low, but the HP Smart Tank 790 holds an advantage with its user-friendly design that simplifies maintenance tasks such as ink refills and printhead cleaning. On the other hand, the OfficeJet Pro 9130 may incur slightly higher maintenance costs due to its more complex design and the need for regular updates to maintain its advanced features.

Overall, the HP Smart Tank 790 offers excellent value for money for users who need a cost-effective solution for high-volume printing. Its lower ongoing expenses and ease of maintenance make it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers. Conversely, the OfficeJet Pro 9130, while more expensive upfront, provides superior performance and features that may justify the higher cost for business users seeking a reliable, high-capacity printer.

Compatibility and Integration

In today's hybrid work environments, seamless compatibility across different operating systems, devices, cloud services, and productivity apps is crucial. Both the HP Smart Tank 790 and OfficeJet Pro 9130 printers excel in this area.

These all-in-one printers work seamlessly with the latest versions of Windows, macOS, and Linux out of the box. They can be easily integrated into wired or wireless networks to enable printing from desktops and laptops across the office.

HP has ensured robust mobile printing support through Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, Wi-Fi Direct printing and the HP Smart App. This allows convenient printing from smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android.

The HP Smart app also supports cloud integration, with the ability to print from popular cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive. This streamlines workflows when collaborating on documents across devices and locations.

Scanning functions work across Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. Scanned documents can be saved directly to cloud storage, attached to emails, or sent to other productivity apps and cloud-based workflows.

Whether used in a home office, remote workspace or connected corporate environment, the HP Smart Tank 790 and OfficeJet Pro 9130 deliver the cross-platform compatibility and seamless integration needed to support today's hybrid workflows.

Choosing the Right Printer

For professionals who primarily work from a home office with moderate printing volumes, the HP Smart Tank 790 presents an excellent value proposition. Its high-capacity ink tank system ensures low running costs by allowing thousands of pages to be printed before needing a refill. The compact all-in-one design with copy, scan and wireless printing is also well-suited for home/small office use.

However, those with more demanding print volumes or working within a micro office should consider the OfficeJet Pro 9130. Its faster print speeds and a higher monthly duty cycle of up to 30,000 pages make it better equipped to handle the needs of a busier work environment. The included security features also provide extra peace of mind for office document handling.

If your printing needs lean more towards photos and creative projects, with an emphasis on superb image quality over raw speed, the Smart Tank 790 could have the edge. But for a balanced mix of crisp text, vivid graphics, and high productivity, the OfficeJet Pro 9130 is likely the more versatile choice.

Budget is also a determining factor. While the upfront cost of the OfficeJet Pro is higher, its long-term running costs are still economical for its volume ratings. The Smart Tank provides a lower initial investment, ideal for tighter budgets.

Summary

In the modern hybrid work landscape, having the right printer tailored to your specific needs can significantly boost productivity and efficiency. The HP Smart Tank 790 and OfficeJet Pro 9130 all-in-one printers offer robust feature sets, but excel in different areas.

Ultimately, when choosing printers for work, selecting the printer best aligned with your workflows, output needs, and budget is pivotal. The Smart Tank 790 provides superb value for home/individual use, while the OfficeJet Pro 9130 is equipped to serve as a dependable micro-office printing workhorse. Making the right choice can eliminate bottlenecks and empower seamless hybrid productivity.