When you think multifunction printer, you're probably imagining a giant plastic box that scans, copies, and prints documents in the home office with an insatiable appetite for premium-priced ink cartridges. Au contraire, HP's new TopShot LaserJet Pro M275 turns that triple into a laser-burning quadfecta with the addition of a high-resolution 3D object scanner HP calls "TopShot."
HP TopShot LaserJet Pro M275 does 3D object scanning for $400
HP’s three-angle TopShot scanner takes a total of six object images: three with LED flashes from different angles and another three using natural ambient light and exposure levels.
HP’s three-angle TopShot scanner takes a total of six object images: three with LED flashes from different angles and another three using natural ambient light and exposure levels.
is a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He’s been a tech journalist for 20 years.
The three-angle TopShot scanner takes a total of six object images: three with LED flashes from different angles and another three using natural ambient light and exposure levels. The images are then combined into what HP says is a single “virtually glare-free and shadow-free” image suitable for uploading to auction sites, for example.
Other specs for this 18.4 x 16.1 x 10.6-inch / 30-pound color MFP include a 17 page per minute black (4 ppm color) print speed, 245 dpi max scan resolution, and 600 x 600 dpi max copy resolution. Connectivity includes one USB 2.0 jack, one 10/100Mbps Ethernet port, and 802.11n WiFi for wireless printing around the office and home. It also supports Apple’s AirPrint for iOS users as well as ePrint for printing from anywhere in the connected world.
The 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD is a reminder that the M275 supports HP’s misguided idea that people prefer standing at their printers using Web apps displayed on a tiny screen with poor touch sensitivity to access, share, and print content. As such, the M275 is loaded with apps such as contact management, postage, and document collaboration. But with webOS’ future seemingly relegated to supporting HP’s printer business, you can’t say the company isn’t committed to its post-PC strategy — not after paying $1.2 billion for what’s shaping up to be the best printer OS on the market. Someday. Maybe.
The TopShot LaserJet Pro M275 is available now in the US for $400.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
