In March, HP Inc. announced that it was “pushing the boundaries of printing” with the introduction of the LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 series.
These monochrome laser devices—the M15 series are printers and the M28 series are MFPs—are billed as the world’s smallest lasers in their class. (HP is comparing the new units to sub-$100 monochrome laser printers and sub-$150 monochrome laser MFPs.) HP notes that its new monochrome laser printers are only about as tall as a standard No. 2 pencil or a smartphone. In the United States, HP is introducing one model in each series: the LaserJet Pro M15w and the LaserJet Pro MFP M28w.
New Hardware Featuring New Engine
Why the focus on small size? HP says it is all about accommodating micro and small businesses, being able to put a printer “absolutely anywhere,” and the ability to work in many different environments “whether in a home office, shared working space, or on the go.”
HP explains that the LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 series replace the LaserJet Pro M12 and M26 series from 2016 (see “
HP Announces First $99 LaserJet Plus Other Low-Cost Models”). The LaserJet Pro M12 was HP’s first-ever laser printer introduced at a price point of just $99. The new LaserJet Pro M15w and the LaserJet Pro MFP M28w retain the title of being HP’s lowest priced printers. The LaserJet Pro M15w is priced at $99, and the LaserJet Pro MFP M28w sells for $129. HP expects the LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 series to be available for purchase worldwide starting in April. The company says it typically takes about three months to roll over inventory of the previous models.
Obviously, the big improvement from one generation to the next is the device size: the new units are about 30 percent smaller than their predecessors. The older LaserJet Pro M12 measured 13.7 × 16.3 × 9.0 inches (w × d × h), while the new LaserJet Pro M15 measures 13.6 × 7.5 × 6.3 inches. The previous LaserJet Pro M26 measured 16.5 × 17.2 × 16.1 inches, which compares to the new LaserJet Pro MFP M28’s 14.2 × 10.4 × 7.8 inches.
The significant reduction in device size was achieved through the use of what HP describes as a “totally new designed, Canon engine.” The engine was designed specifically to “reduce the size while still maintain the high print speed.” Print speed on the new LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 is 19 ppm, the same as on the predecessor models. Maximum print resolution is also unchanged at 600 × 600 dpi. The maximum monthly duty cycle, however, has been improved with this platform to up to 8,000 pages, up from 5,000 pages on the previous models.
Other improvements from one generation to the next include improved mobile printing functionality. For example, the new LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 series support the HP Smart app. HP introduced this app in 2017 in the new ENVY Photo 6255, 7155, and 7855 inkjet all-in-ones (see “
HP Debuts New Cartridges in Family-Oriented ENVY Photo Inkjet All-in-Ones”). This app is designed to completely control the printer from a smartphone, offering simple set up in minutes, fast scanning to the cloud, and making it more convenient than ever to order supplies or print from virtually anywhere.” Also, the new models support Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Wi-Fi Direct and are Mopria-certified.
Other specifications and differentiating features for the new LaserJet Pro M15w and the LaserJet Pro MFP M28w are shown below.
| HP LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 Series |
| Model |
LaserJet Pro M15w |
LaserJet Pro MFP M28w |
| Product Type |
A4 monochrome laser printer |
A4 monochrome laser MFP |
| Standard Functions |
print only |
print, copy, scan |
| MSRP |
$99 |
$129 |
| Availability |
April 2018 |
| Letter-Size Print Speed |
19 ppm |
| Max. Monthly Duty Cycle |
8,000 pages |
| Max. Print Resolution |
600 × 600 dpi |
| Paper Input (standard/max.) |
150/150 sheets |
| Max. Paper Size |
8.5 × 11.69 inches |
| Automatic Duplex |
no |
| Automatic Document Feeder |
n/a |
no, flatbed scanner |
| Connectivity |
USB 2.0, 802.11b/g/n wireless, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Display |
LED control panel |
icon LCD control panel |
| Mobile Printing Features |
HP Smart app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print 2.0, Mopria certified |
| New Supplies |
yes: toner cartridge 48A |
| Best CPP* |
5.00¢ |
| *CPP figures are based on the highest-yield cartridges available for a given product. No multipack pricing is used. |
| Source: Actionable Intelligence |
New Toner Cartridges
The LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 series employ new all-in-one toner cartridges. The machines come with a 500-page starter toner cartridge pre-installed. The replacement cartridge for the LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 is the new HP 48A (CF248A), which yields 1,000 pages and sells for $49.99 in the United States for a cost per page (CPP) of 5.0 cents. While this is a high CPP, it is better than that of the previous models.
| Supplies for HP LaserJet Pro M15/M28 series |
| Part |
Part Number |
Page Yield* |
MSRP |
| HP 48A standard-yield black toner cartridge |
CF248A |
1,000 |
$49.99 |
| Best CPP: 5.00¢ |
| *Based on the ISO/EC 19752 standard |
| Note: Series ships with starter cartridge with a yield of 500 pages. |
| Source: Actionable Intelligence |
The previous LaserJet Pro M12 and M26 series also used a 1,000-sheet all-in-one toner cartridge, the HP 79A (CF279A). However, this cartridge was priced higher, resulting in a higher CPP. The HP 79A was introduced at a price point of $54.99 but currently sells for $57.99 for a CPP of 5.80 cents.
HP says that the new LaserJet Pro M15 and M28 series use the HP 48A in the Americas and Asia Pacific, excluding China and India. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, this series uses the HP 44A (CF244A) toner cartridge, also with a yield of 1,000 pages.
HP tells us the new all-in-one toner cartridge is very similar in design to the cartridge used in the previous machines. A spokesperson says, “The cartridge design is highly leveraged with nothing innovative or special.” HP would not comment on the specific toner formulation used in the new cartridges.
HP says that while there is little new going on in terms of cartridge design, the cartridge chip is new and “features Dynamic Security and better anti-fraud functionality.”
Read HP press release.
Static Control is first-to-market with new solutions. A chip and cartridge for these new models are coming soon!