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HP’s Smart Tank Printers: An Innovative Printing Solution for Schools
Harry Stewart
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February 6, 2024
Educators have long known that children learn faster by studying on paper than by interacting with a digital screen. Furthermore, recent Columbia University research concluded that paper provides a preference for “deeper reading,” while digital content promotes less effective “shallow reading.”
With such well-documented advantages of traditional pen-and-paper teaching techniques, educators are veering away from large-scale digital learning. But sticking with conventional methods means finding a fast, reliable, and cost-effective printing solution.
Enter the HP Smart Tank, a high-tech, multi-functional printer with a rock-bottom operational cost. In this post, we’ll define the device and outline its benefits for British schools. We’ll then present three top-selling options from the HP UK Store.
What is a smart tank printer?
A Smart Tank printer is a regular ink tank printer with additional “smart” features, such as WiFi and remote printing.
Never heard of an ink tank printer? It’s a type of inkjet printer that draws liquid from in-built reservoirs (or tanks) rather than cartridges. Instead of replacing a cartridge, the user refills an empty tank using an ink bottle.
Low-cost, high-volume printing
The primary advantage of a Smart Tank printer versus a cartridge-loaded inkjet printer is its significantly lower operational costs.
With a run-of-the-mill inkjet printer, you must purchase an entirely new cartridge whenever you run out of ink. These precisely-manufactured plastic canisters feature electronic contacts and a microchip, making them relatively expensive.
To refill a Smart Tank printer, on the other hand, you simply pour ink into the attached tank. That way, you only pay for the ink itself, not the cartridge.
The savings are substantial in high-volume printing environments like schools. However, the precise figure varies depending on the ink type (monochrome vs. colour), the printing type (text vs. graphics), and the monthly printing volume.
High page yields
Another big selling point for Smart Tank printers is their higher page yields. This term refers to how many pages you can print with a 5% coverage rate using a single cartridge or, in the case of a Smart Tank, with a single ink-filled bottle.
A regular inkjet cartridge will print 300 to 400 pages at 5% coverage. With 20 to 30 kids in a classroom, you could churn through a cartridge every few days. A bottle of HP Ink, however, will see a Smart Tank print 4,000 to 8,000 equivalent pages. That means you’ll never need to run off to fetch a fresh cartridge mid-lesson - you can just refill the tank as needed.
Eco-friendly alternative
HP recycles billions of plastic bottles and coat hangers to create our Original HP Ink Cartridges. And by sponsoring free recycling initiatives through HP Planet Partners, our customers have recycled over a billion ink cartridges to date. These industry-leading initiatives make HP inkjet printers among the most eco-friendly options on the market.
Yet, due to their enormous page yields, our refillable ink tank printers offer a more eco-friendly alternative to the traditional ink cartridge. Not only do you need to replace a bottle less often, but these small, simplified containers don’t embody any e-waste, such as connectors and microchips. Plus, once fully spent, you can toss the empty bottle into the recycling bin. Also, most HP Smart Tank printers are constructed from 45% recycled plastics.
Environmental education is a cornerstone of the British school system. Adopting an eco-friendly printing solution, such as the HP Smart Tank, is a great way to lead by example.
Smart, state-of-the-art features
Another enticing benefit is the printer’s “smart” features, which distinguish this device from the ink tank printers of old.
An in-built ink monitoring sensor, for example, sends an automated alert to the teacher once the tank runs low. Wireless connectivity means you don’t have to plug a cable into a distant PC and can connect to your local WiFi to print from anywhere in the classroom. Better yet, the HP Smart App lets you print paper from the other side of the planet (or, more likely, from home).
Of course, HP Smart Tank printers still ship with all your favourite features. Automatic document feeders let you print extensive reports in one session, while two-sided printing minimises paper waste. Most Smart Tanks are multi-function printers (MFP), meaning you can print, scan, copy, and fax from the same device.
Respectable printing speeds reduce wait times, while high monthly page volumes make the Smart Tank suitable for heavy use.
The disadvantages of Smart Tank printers
So what’s the catch? Why doesn’t every home, office, and educational institute in Britain use Smart Tank printers instead of laser printers or cartridge-based inkjets?
Upfront costs
The most prominent drawback is the upfront cost. Smart Tank printers have a higher sticker price than inkjets and some commercial-grade lasers. But remember to factor in the complimentary ink; some include enough liquid to print up to 12,000 pages.
In the long term, a high-volume printing environment, such as an office or school, will invariably find Smart Tank printers more affordable due to lower ongoing costs. But for infrequent printers - say, home users printing 50 pages or less per month - a cartridge-style inkjet will work out cheaper overall.
Smart Tanks also don’t have the same lightning-quick print speeds and massive monthly page volumes as laser printers. After all, they use the same printing technology as a regular inkjet printer; the only difference is the ink tank. For this reason, commercial organisations needing to pump out massive volumes at break-neck speed often prefer laser printers.
Space
On the whole, Smart Tank printers require more space than smaller inkjet printers. A space-saving cartridge-loaded inkjet might be the best option if you can only spare a cramped little corner in your classroom.
Potential spillage
The ink tank printers of yesteryear were notoriously messy contraptions. But these days, HP has an innovative spill-free refill system to safeguard against nasty stains. Nonetheless, many educators prefer refilling the tanks rather than delegating the duty to children.
Dried out printer heads
Finally, Smart Tank printers require relatively consistent use to prevent the heads from drying out. That said, you’ll only need to print a page every month or so, which isn’t typically an issue for schools. During the lengthy summer break, you could schedule the HP Smart App to print a page at the halfway mark.
The best HP Smart Tank printers for schools in the UK
You’ve become a self-taught expert on the benefits of an HP Smart Tank printer for school. Now, let’s take a gander at the top three classroom-friendly options.
HP Smart Tank 7605: Best premium printer
For British schools seeking a speedy, high-volume machine, the HP Smart Tank 7605 is an enticing choice. In addition to producing top-quality prints for a rock-bottom price, this model is one of the few modern MFPs to include a fax machine. Plus, a generous complimentary bottled ink supply should last your classroom years.
- Functions: print, copy, scan, fax
- ADF: 35-sheet
- Wireless: 2.4/5G dual band WiFi, WiFi Direct
- Colour: Black and white / colour
- Two-sided printing: Yes
- Print speed: up to 15 pages per minute (ppm) (black ink) and 9 ppm (colour ink)
- Monthly page volume: Prints up to 1,200 pages/month
- Included ink: up to 12,000 black or 8,000 colour pages
HP Smart Tank 7005: Best midrange printer
The smaller, mid-range HP Smart Tank 7005 is an excellent choice when you’ve got limited room. Although the monthly page volume isn’t as high as the printer above, this device still has all the intelligent extras you’ve come to expect from a Smart Tank. Self-healing WiFi ensures a reliable connection, while a handy ink-and-paper sensor keeps an eye on your supply.
- Functions: Print, scan, copy
- ADF: No
- Wireless: 2.4/5G dual band WiFi, WiFi Direct
- Colour: Black and white / colour
- Two-sided printing: Yes
- Print speed: up to 15 ppm (black) and 9 ppm (colour)
- Monthly page volume: up to 800 pages/month
- Included ink: up to 12,000 black or 8,000 colour pages
HP Smart Tank Plus 570: Best budget printer
The HP Smart Tank Plus 570 costs a little less and comes packed with impressive features. HP’s innovative spill-free system ensures easy refills, and its illuminated smart-guided buttons make the printing process a breeze. Just be aware this model doesn’t offer two-sided printing.
- Functions: Print, scan, copy
- ADF: Standard, 35 sheets
- Wireless: built-in dual-band WiFi 802.11b/g/n, wireless direct
- Colour: Black and white / colour
- Two-sided printing: No
- Print speed: up to 11 ppm (black) and 5 ppm (colour)
- Monthly page volume: up to 800 pages/month
- Included ink: up to 12,000 black pages or up to 8,000 colour pages
Summary
Inkjets make financial sense for infrequent home users, while laser printers appeal to fast-paced corporate offices seeking speed. However, educators needing a low-cost printing solution for their school should consider an HP Smart Tank printer.
Despite the higher upfront cost, these sturdy workhorses can churn out massive reams of printed paper for an ultra-affordable price. That makes Smart Tanks the most cost-effective, long-term printing solution for schools, often by a massive margin.
As a nifty little bonus, you can get an array of smart, high-tech features like wireless connectivity, ink-level sensors, and remote printing through the HP Smart App. Ready to make an intelligent investment in your students’ future? Check out the full range of HP Smart Tank printers available in the UK.
