The HP PageWide Pro 477dw is a color all-in-one inkjet printer designed to compete with laser printers in speed, performance, and efficiency. While inkjets are typically slower and more suited to home use, this business-class machine challenges that idea with exceptional speed, low running costs, and enterprise-ready features.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the real-world performance of the HP PageWide Pro 477dw—including print speed, quality, ink efficiency, connectivity, and where it fits in today’s fast-paced office environment.
Overview: What Is the HP PageWide Pro 477dw?
The HP PageWide Pro 477dw is part of HP’s business-class inkjet lineup that uses PageWide technology. Instead of a moving print head, PageWide printers feature a stationary print bar that spans the width of the page. This results in dramatically faster printing speeds—rivaling laser printers—while retaining inkjet-level color quality.
Key features:
- Print, scan, copy, and fax
- Duplex printing and scanning
- Single-pass, two-sided scanning
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile connectivity
- 4.3-inch color touchscreen
Print Performance and Speed
Blazing fast for an inkjet—faster than many laser competitors.
The standout feature of the 477dw is its speed. Thanks to PageWide technology, it prints at up to:
- 40 pages per minute (ppm) in both color and black & white (general office mode)
- Up to 55 ppm in draft mode
Even in professional quality mode, you get about 20–24 ppm, which is still faster than most midrange color lasers. This makes the 477dw suitable for high-volume offices that need color but don’t want the cost of laser printing.
First-page-out time: Just under 7 seconds in black and 8 seconds in color, on average.
Print Quality
Crisp text and vibrant color output across a variety of media types.
Despite being an inkjet, the HP PageWide Pro 477dw produces sharp, laser-like text. Color prints are vibrant and saturated, especially in charts, brochures, and photos. Text doesn’t bleed, and lines remain defined—even on standard copy paper.
Best-use cases:
- Internal documents and client presentations
- Marketing collateral (flyers, posters, menus)
- Everyday color printing at high speeds
For photo printing, it performs well, though not quite at the level of dedicated photo printers. That said, it’s more than acceptable for business graphics and light image work.
Ink and Running Costs
Ultra-low cost per page makes this a smart long-term investment.
The 477dw uses HP’s pigment-based PageWide cartridges, which come in standard and high-yield versions. High-yield XL cartridges offer the best cost efficiency.
| Cartridge Type | Page Yield | Estimated Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|
| Black XL | ~10,000 pages | ~1.3 cents |
| Color XL (each) | ~7,000 pages | ~6–7 cents |
Takeaway: The total cost of ownership over 2–3 years is often lower than comparable laser printers in the same price range—especially for color-heavy workflows.
Paper Handling and Capacity
Built for busy offices with serious paper needs.
The 477dw features generous paper capacity and versatile media support:
- 500-sheet total input: 250-sheet main tray + 50-sheet multipurpose tray + optional second tray (250 sheets)
- 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning, copying, and faxing
- Automatic duplexing for printing and scanning
The ADF supports single-pass, two-sided scanning, which is a time-saver for bulk document processing. You can load up multiple paper types (letterhead, envelopes, card stock) and switch between them seamlessly.
Scanning and Copying
Fast, accurate, and packed with features for productivity.
The built-in scanner can scan both sides of a page in a single pass, which is ideal for digitizing stacks of reports, contracts, and forms. Scanned images are sharp and color-accurate, and OCR (optical character recognition) works well with bundled HP software.
Copy speed: Up to 21 copies per minute (black and color).
Scan resolution: Up to 1200 dpi (optical)
Connectivity and Mobile Printing
Full modern connectivity, including wireless and cloud options.
- Wi-Fi 802.11n and Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Direct and NFC (touch-to-print from mobile)
- USB 2.0 port for direct printing
- Supports Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, and HP ePrint
The 4.3-inch touchscreen makes setup and operation user-friendly. You can print from USB drives or scan directly to email, network folders, or cloud platforms like SharePoint and Google Drive.
Security and Administration
Advanced features make it ideal for small businesses and enterprise environments.
Security features include:
- Secure boot and firmware integrity checks
- Role-based access control and PIN printing
- Encrypted data transmission over networks
IT administrators can configure access rules, track usage, and manage print jobs remotely via HP Web Jetadmin or the Embedded Web Server. This makes the 477dw a great fit for networked office environments with multiple users.
Energy Efficiency and Noise
Low power usage with minimal noise output.
The 477dw is ENERGY STAR certified and uses up to 84% less energy than comparable color lasers, according to HP’s internal testing. Idle power draw is minimal, and active noise levels are below 54 dB—quiet enough for most office settings.
Pros and Cons of the HP PageWide Pro 477dw
Pros:
- Extremely fast color and mono printing (up to 40 ppm)
- Low running costs with high-yield cartridges
- High-quality text and graphics
- Full-featured scan, copy, and fax capabilities
- Advanced connectivity and security for business users
Cons:
- Initial purchase price higher than entry-level inkjets
- Noisy during heavy printing cycles
- Limited photo print quality (not for pro photo use)
Who Should Buy the HP PageWide Pro 477dw?
This printer is ideal for:
- Small to mid-sized businesses with high print volumes
- Offices that need fast, full-color printing without laser prices
- Workgroups with shared networked devices
- Users who want enterprise-level features in a compact form
If you’re currently using a color laser printer and are looking to cut down on maintenance and energy costs, the 477dw is an excellent transition choice. It’s also a top pick for hybrid offices and remote teams that need reliable scanning and mobile print access.
Conclusion: HP PageWide Pro 477dw Is a Standout Business Inkjet
The HP PageWide Pro 477dw delivers everything a modern office needs: speed, quality, low operating costs, and network-ready features. With laser-like performance and true all-in-one capability, it’s one of the best business inkjets on the market—even years after its release.
If you print hundreds or thousands of pages per month and want color clarity without laser expense, the 477dw is an easy recommendation. Just make sure you have space—it’s not compact, but it earns its footprint with rock-solid reliability and performance.
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