HP M283fdw vs. HP M479fdw: Which LaserJet Is Best For Your Small Business?

Posted by Rob Errera on 04/11/2023

When it comes to buying a business machine for your small office, you can’t go wrong with either of these hard-working all-in-one printers. This is HP M283fdw vs. HP M479fdw.

Comparing the two isn’t like comparing apples and oranges. It’s like comparing an apple to a slightly larger apple.

The M479fdw is the big brother here. It can do everything the M283fdw can do only on a slightly bigger scale.

The ability to print more pages and add a high-capacity paper tray comes at an additional expense — around $199.99. HP has the M479fdw LaserJet Printer currently listed for $679 while the M283fdw lists for $549.

Get the lowest price on HP Color LaserJet MFP M283fdw toner here: HP 206X Set
Get the lowest price on HP Color LaserJet MFP M479fdw toner here: HP 414X Set

A Look at the MFP M283fdw

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283FDW is a worthy counterpoint to the slightly more powerful HP M479fdw.

With the M283fdw you can copy, scan, and fax as well as print. The M283fdw is a speedy printer, cranking out 22 pages per minute in both black-and-white and color, delivering the first page in 10.6 seconds for B&W and 12.1 seconds for color prints.

With auto duplex printing, a 250-sheet paper tray, and a 50-sheet manual feeder, the HP M283fdw can handle almost any office chore. A colorful 2.7-inch touchscreen makes interacting with the M283fdw a pleasure.

The M283fdw has a print resolution of 600 x 600 dpi and a monthly duty cycle of 40,000 pages. The recommended monthly page count is between 150-2500 pages. You can use paper thickness between 16 and 43 lbs in the paper tray, and specialized media up to 53 lbs in the manual feeder.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283FDW had a footprint size of 16.5 x 16.6 x 13.2“ with a weight of 41.2 pounds.

Download the latest drivers for the HP M283fdw here.

Basically, the M283fdw comes with two paper trays and no ability to expand beyond that.

The M479fdw, by comparison, allows an additional 500-sheet paper tray to be added.

Toner Cartridges for the HP M283fdw Color LaserJet

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283 uses the HP 206 model toners. In Europe, these toner cartridges are labeled the HP 207 model toners.

The HP 206 A toner set includes W2110A Black LaserJet Toner Cartridge (1,350-page yield); W2111A Cyan LaserJet Toner Cartridge (1,250-page yield); W2112A Yellow LaserJet Toner Cartridge (1,250-page yield); and the W2113A Magenta LaserJet Toner Cartridge (1,250-page yield).

The HP 206X toner set includes high capacity toner cartridges W2110X Black LaserJet Toner Cartridge (3,150-page yield); W2111X Cyan LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,450-page yield); W2112X Yellow LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,450-page yield); and the W2113X Magenta LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,450-page yield).

A Look at the HP MFP M479fdw Color LaserJet

The HP LaserJet Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw is a “big brother” to the M283fdw. The M479fdw is an all-in-one LaserJet designed for midsize office applications.

The printer comes with a 50-sheet specialty feed tray as well as a 250-sheet second feeder tray. An optional 550 sheet accessory tray is available, which is one of the main features that separates the M479fdw from the M283fdw.

The M479fdw is also a bit faster than the M283fdw, delivering the first page in just over 10 seconds. Once it’s warmed up, the M479fdw can reach print speeds of 28 pages per minute.

The M479fdw has a recommended monthly page range of 750 - 4,000 pages, with a maximum duty cycle of 50,000 pages.

The M479fdw boasts a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi for both black and white and color prints. Connectivity features include Ethernet, USB walk-up, USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and Wi-Fi direct printing for mobile devices.

Plug in a 16 gig USB thumb drive and you’ll be able to store print jobs and allow for private printing on your M479fdw.

This machine can copy 27 pages per minute and scan up to 26 pages per minute which is pretty quick for a machine in this class. As the “D” in its name implies this printer is capable of automatic duplex printing.

The M479fdw has a 50-page document feeder with a dual-head scanner for single-pass duplex copying and scanning. You can scan to email, USB drive, or a network folder.

Like the M283fdw, the HP M479fdw comes with a color touchscreen control panel. Old school users will appreciate the ability to quickly fax.

The M479fdw works seamlessly with Windows operating systems as well as Macs running iOS 10.12 or higher. This printer also works with Linux and UNIX systems.

Download the latest drivers for your M479fdw here.

Toner Cartridges for the HP M479fdw Color LaserJet

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw uses the HP 414 model toners. In Europe, these toner cartridges are labeled the HP 415 and 416 model toners.

The HP414A toner set is a standard capacity toner set that includes W2020A Black LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,400-page yield), W2021A Cyan LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,100-page yield), W2022A Yellow LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,100-page yield), and the W2023A Magenta LaserJet Toner Cartridge (2,100-page yield).

The HP414X toner set is a high capacity toner set that includes W2020X Black LaserJet Toner Cartridge (7,500-page yield), W2021X Cyan LaserJet Toner Cartridge (6,000-page yield), W2022X Yellow LaserJet Toner Cartridge (6,000-page yield), and the W2023X Magenta LaserJet Toner Cartridge (6,000-page yield).

HP M283fdw vs. HP M479fdw: The Bottom Line

Both the HP M283fdw and HP M479fdw are hardworking all-in-one business machines suitable for different office needs.

If you have the budget and require expanded paper tray options, faster print speeds, and a higher recommended monthly page volume, the HP M479fdw is a solid choice.

It offers additional features like a specialty feed tray and the option to add extra paper trays, making it suitable for midsize offices. However, it comes at a higher price point.

On the other hand, if cost-efficiency and a compact design are more important factors for your small office, the HP M283fdw is a better choice.

It provides reliable performance, including copying, scanning, faxing, and printing, at a more affordable price. It can handle most office tasks with its auto duplex printing, 250-sheet paper tray, and 50-sheet manual feeder.

For both printers, to ensure the best print quality and longevity, it's advisable to use genuine HP cartridges. Opting for third-party or remanufactured cartridges can sometimes lead to compromised print quality.

Consider your specific requirements, budget, and office space when making a decision. Both printers are designed to deliver professional business use and are equipped to handle the needs of small to medium-sized offices.