Labs

When we first reviewed the HP Color LaserJet 2605dn back in July 2006 (web ID: 90479), we were impressed to find double-sided printing for the price. Today, we're still impressed: in this category, the Lexmark C530dn is the only other printer to offer a duplexer as standard.

Of course, that's no good if the printer is rubbish, but the 2605dn gained top marks in our print quality tests with clean, solid

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blacks, smooth gradients and vivid photo reproduction.

Running costs aren't bad, either. After 20,000 pages, the 2605dn is right in the middle of the pack, and the duplex unit gives scope for more savings.

But in our speed tests, the HP showed its age. It was dead last in our 50-page mono test, taking a hefty 4mins 22secs to finish, and adding colour slowed it further to over five minutes. The good news is that we found double-sided printing added only a few seconds to even the biggest print job, but still, with the Brother managing way below three minutes in both mono and colour, the HP looks decidedly pedestrian.

It's tempting to forgive the 2605dn because it produces such great prints - and double-sided ones to boot. But the Lexmark has a duplexer, too, costs almost exactly the same to run, produces images that are nearly as good and prints far more speedily. It also has an on-site warranty, which makes the 2605dn's return-to-base deal look cheap. Unless you need the very best quality, and time isn't a factor, this veteran HP is sadly no longer a winning package.