💥 SURPRISING! 35-Page ADF at ₹7,999 Budget Price!
Save ₹1,881 (19% OFF) • Cartridge-Based (NOT Tank) • Ultra-Budget
HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278
Budget Cartridge Printer | 35-Page ADF | WiFi+Bluetooth | Mobile Fax
8.5ppm Black – HP 682 Cartridges – ₹1.41/Page Cost – 1000/Month Duty
⚠️ CARTRIDGE-Based, NOT Tank! Different Category!
• NOT A TANK PRINTER: Uses HP 682 cartridges (480 pages black)
• 35-Page ADF: Rare feature at ₹7,999 budget price!
• Speed: 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color (slow but acceptable)
• Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, Mobile Fax
• Duty: 1000 pages/month (light home use only)
• Cost/Page: ₹1.41 black, ₹4.74 color (HIGH vs tank!)
• Manual Duplex: No auto 2-sided printing
• Perfect For: Very light home use, occasional printing
₹7,999
₹9,880
SAVE ₹1,881 (19% OFF!)
⚠️ CARTRIDGE printer – ₹1.41/page cost (NOT ₹0.10 like tanks!)
35-Page ADF at budget price is RARE – Main selling point!
*EMI Available | Setup cartridges included (lower yield)
Next Day Delivery | 1 Year Warranty | Trending!
Price
₹7,999
ADF
35-Page
Type
Cartridge
⚠️ CRITICAL: This is NOT a Tank Printer!
What This IS:
- • Cartridge-based printer (like old-school printers)
- • Uses HP 682 cartridges (₹677 black, ₹711 color) [web:87][web:92]
- • 480 pages per black cartridge, 150 pages per color [web:87][web:89]
- • Cost per page: ₹1.41 black, ₹4.74 color [web:93]
- • Replace cartridges every 1-2 months for light users
Tank Printers (For Comparison):
- • Refillable ink tanks (Smart Tank 584/720/750)
- • 6000-12000 pages per black bottle
- • Cost per page: ₹0.10 only!
- • Refill bottles every 6-12 months
- • 14× CHEAPER running cost vs cartridge! [web:91]
💡 Bottom Line: The 4278 is ONLY suitable for very light printing (under 100 pages/month). If you print more, tank printers save MASSIVE money long-term despite higher upfront cost! [web:91]
HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278 Overview
Budget Highlights
- 💰 ₹7,999: Ultra-budget price!
- 📄 35-Page ADF: Rare at this price!
- 📶 WiFi+Bluetooth: Modern connectivity
- 📠 Mobile Fax: Send fax from phone!
- ⚠️ Cartridge-based: NOT a tank!
- ⚠️ ₹1.41/page: High running cost!
In The Box
- 📦 HP DeskJet 4278 Printer
- ⚫🌈 HP 682 Setup Cartridges (lower yield!)
- 🔌 Power Cord + USB Cable
- 📄 Setup Guide & Manual
Perfect For
- • Very Light Use: Under 100 pages/month
- • Occasional Printing: Not daily use
- • Budget Priority: Low upfront cost
- • Need ADF: Scan multi-page docs
- • Mobile Fax: Send fax from phone
- • Students: Light homework printing
🎯 The Budget Paradox – When ₹7,999 Can Cost More Than ₹13,999!
₹7,999 Upfront (4278 Cartridge)
Looks cheap initially, but cartridges cost ₹1.41/page black, ₹4.74/page color. Print 1000 pages = ₹1,410 in cartridge costs! After 1 year (1000 pages), total = ₹7,999 + ₹1,410 = ₹9,409. [web:87][web:93]
₹13,999 Upfront (584 Tank)
Higher initially, but tank refills cost ₹0.10/page. Print 1000 pages = ₹100 in ink costs! After 1 year (1000 pages), total = ₹13,999 + ₹100 = ₹14,099. BUT includes 6000 pages upfront!
The Math That Matters
At 2000 pages printed: 4278 costs ₹7,999 + ₹2,820 = ₹10,819. 584 costs ₹13,999 + ₹200 = ₹14,199. Difference shrinking! At 5000 pages, tank is cheaper! [web:91]
35-Page ADF – The Standout Feature at ₹7,999!
📄 Automatic Document Feeder – Rare in Budget Printers!
The 4278’s 35-page ADF is the MAIN reason to consider this printer at ₹7,999. Most budget cartridge printers skip ADF to save costs, but HP included it here. This is the printer’s biggest selling point and justifies choosing it over cheaper non-ADF options!
✅ With 35-Page ADF (4278)
- • Load 35 Pages: Stack documents in feeder
- • Press Scan: One button – walk away
- • Auto Feed: Printer scans all pages automatically
- • Multi-Page PDFs: One file, 35 pages
- • Save Time: 35 pages scanned in 3-4 minutes
- • Perfect For: Scanning forms, documents, contracts
- • Rare Feature: At ₹7,999 budget price!
- • Main Advantage: Over cheaper printers without ADF
❌ Without ADF (Budget Printers)
- • One Page at a Time: Flatbed scanner only
- • Lift Lid: Open scanner manually
- • Place Page: Position carefully
- • Close & Scan: Repeat 35 times!
- • 30+ Minutes: For 35 pages (tedious!)
- • Frustrating: For multi-page documents
- • Common: Most ₹5-8K printers skip ADF
- • Deal Breaker: If you scan often
📋 ADF Use Cases – When It’s Worth It
📑 Student Forms
Scan admission forms, fee receipts, certificates quickly.
🧾 Bills & Receipts
Scan utility bills, shopping receipts for records.
📄 Documents
Scan ID proofs, bank statements, tax documents.
📋 Applications
Scan job applications, exam forms quickly.
💡 ADF Value Analysis: If you scan multi-page documents even once a week, the 35-page ADF saves 25-30 minutes per scanning session vs flatbed. That’s 100+ minutes saved monthly! For students scanning forms, job seekers scanning applications, or anyone dealing with multi-page documents, the ADF alone justifies the 4278 over cheaper non-ADF printers. This is the printer’s KILLER feature at ₹7,999!
HP 682 Cartridge Costs – The Hidden Expense!
💸 Running Costs – Why Cartridges Get Expensive Fast!
The 4278 uses HP 682 cartridges which cost significantly more per page than tank printers. This is the critical factor most buyers overlook – the ₹7,999 upfront savings can disappear quickly through high cartridge costs! [web:87][web:92]
| Cartridge | Price | Page Yield | Cost Per Page | Lasts How Long? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 682 Black | ₹677 [web:87] | 480 pages [web:87] | ₹1.41 | 1-2 months (light use) |
| HP 682 Tri-color | ₹711 [web:86] | 150 pages [web:89] | ₹4.74 | Few weeks (light use) |
| Combo Pack (Both) | ₹1,803 [web:88] | 480 + 150 | ₹1.41 black, ₹4.74 color | 1-2 months combined |
| Tank GT53 (Compare) | ₹498 | 6000 pages! | ₹0.10 | 6-12 months! |
💰 Cost for 1000 Pages
Cartridge (4278):
1000 pages × ₹1.41 = ₹1,410
Tank (584):
1000 pages × ₹0.10 = ₹100
14× MORE EXPENSIVE! [web:91]
📅 Annual Cost (1000 pages/year)
Year 1:
Printer: ₹7,999 + Ink: ₹1,410 = ₹9,409
Year 2:
Ink only: ₹1,410 = Total ₹10,819
Costs add up fast!
⚖️ Break-Even Analysis
4278: ₹7,999 + ₹1.41/page
584 Tank: ₹13,999 + ₹0.10/page
Crossover at ~4580 pages
Tank cheaper after ~5000 pages! [web:91]
💡 Reality Check: The HP 682 black cartridge (480 pages, ₹677) runs out in just 1-2 months for a user printing 200-300 pages/month. Color cartridge (150 pages, ₹711) runs out even faster! You’ll be buying cartridges every month, spending ₹1,388+ monthly on ink. After 1 year, that’s ₹16,656 in cartridge costs alone – MORE than buying a tank printer upfront! The 4278 is ONLY viable if you print under 100 pages/month. [web:87][web:91]
Tank vs Cartridge – Which Should You Buy?
🔍 Complete Comparison – The Truth About Running Costs
| Factor | 4278 Cartridge ₹7,999 |
584 Tank ₹13,999 |
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Upfront Cost | ₹7,999 | ₹13,999 | Cartridge |
| 📄 Cost Per Page (Black) | ₹1.41 [web:93] | ₹0.10 | Tank (14× cheaper!) [web:91] |
| 🎨 Cost Per Page (Color) | ₹4.74 | ₹0.10 | Tank (47× cheaper!) |
| 📦 Pages Included | ~200 pages (setup cartridges) | 6000 pages! | Tank (30× more!) |
| 💸 Cost for 1000 Pages | ₹7,999 + ₹1,410 = ₹9,409 | ₹13,999 + ₹100 = ₹14,099 | Cartridge (short-term) |
| 💸 Cost for 5000 Pages | ₹7,999 + ₹7,050 = ₹15,049 | ₹13,999 + ₹500 = ₹14,499 | Tank (crossover!) [web:91] |
| 💸 Cost for 10000 Pages | ₹7,999 + ₹14,100 = ₹22,099 | ₹13,999 + ₹1,000 = ₹14,999 | Tank (saves ₹7,100!) |
| 🔄 Refill Frequency | Every 1-2 months (480 pages) [web:87] | Every 6-12 months (6000 pages) | Tank (convenience!) |
| ⚡ Print Speed | 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color | 12 ppm black, 5 ppm color | Tank (40% faster!) |
| 📄 ADF Scanner | ✅ 35-page | ❌ None | Cartridge (ONLY advantage!) |
| 🔄 Duty Cycle | 1000 pages/month | 3000 pages/month | Tank (3× capacity!) |
| 🎯 Best For | Under 100 pages/month + need ADF | 200+ pages/month, any volume | Tank (most users!) |
🛒 Buy Cartridge (4278) If:
- • You print under 100 pages/month (very light use)
- • Upfront budget is VERY tight (₹7,999 only)
- • You NEED the 35-page ADF for scanning
- • Occasional printing only (homework, forms)
- • You understand high running costs
- • Can’t afford ₹13,999 for tank upfront
🏆 Buy Tank (584) If:
- • You print 200+ pages/month (regular use)
- • Long-term savings matter (₹1.31/page saved!)
- • Don’t need ADF (scan one page at a time OK)
- • Want 6000 pages included in box
- • Prefer refilling once a year vs monthly cartridges
- • Can afford ₹13,999 upfront investment [web:91]
💡 The Brutal Truth: Cartridge printers are designed to make money on ink, not hardware. HP sells the 4278 cheap at ₹7,999 but recoups profit through expensive ₹677 black cartridges (480 pages = ₹1.41/page). Tank printers flip this: higher upfront (₹13,999) but ultra-low ink cost (₹0.10/page). For ANY user printing more than 100 pages/month, tanks are drastically cheaper within 1-2 years. The ONLY reason to buy 4278 is if: 1) You absolutely can’t afford ₹13,999 upfront AND 2) You genuinely print under 100 pages/month AND 3) You need the 35-page ADF. Otherwise, save up ₹6,000 more and buy 584 – you’ll save thousands long-term! [web:91]
Key Features – What You Get at ₹7,999
📶 WiFi + Bluetooth Connectivity
- • WiFi 802.11b/g/n: 2.4 GHz single-band wireless
- • Bluetooth: Direct printing from phone
- • HP Smart App: Print, scan, copy from mobile
- • AirPrint: iOS/Mac printing support
- • USB 2.0: Wired connection option
- • Self-Healing WiFi: Auto-reconnects if dropped
Note: Single-band 2.4 GHz only (no 5 GHz like premium models)
📠 Mobile Fax Capability
- • Send Fax from Phone: No landline needed!
- • HP Smart App: Fax via mobile app
- • Add Cover Page: Customize fax easily
- • Fax History: Track sent faxes
- • Attach Files: From phone or camera
- • Print Confirmation: Fax receipt printout
Unique feature: Send fax digitally through internet (not traditional phone line fax)
🎨 Print Quality
- • Black Resolution: Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
- • Color Resolution: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi
- • Technology: HP Thermal Inkjet
- • Black Ink: Pigment-based (sharp text)
- • Color Ink: Dye-based (vibrant colors)
- • Photo Printing: Up to 300 g/m² photo paper
Print quality is good – same as higher-end models. The difference is speed & running cost!
📱 HP Smart App Features
- • Mobile Printing: Print from anywhere
- • Advanced Scanning: Scan to PDF, cloud
- • Mobile Fax: Send fax from phone
- • Ink Monitoring: Check cartridge levels
- • Shortcuts: Save common tasks
- • Camera Scan: Use phone camera to scan
Rated best-in-class print app vs competitors
⚠️ What’s Missing vs Premium Models
❌ No Auto Duplex
Manual 2-sided printing only – you flip pages manually (tedious for multi-page docs)
❌ Slow Speed
8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color – takes 12 minutes for 100 pages (vs 4 minutes in 720/750)
❌ Small Capacity
60-sheet input, 25-sheet output – need frequent refilling (vs 250/100 in premium models)
HP 4278 vs Competitors
🆚 vs Canon PIXMA E477
₹5,999 | Print Copy Scan | WiFi | Cartridge-based [web:90]
HP 4278 Advantages:
- ✓ 35-Page ADF: vs none in E477 (HUGE advantage!)
- ✓ Bluetooth: Direct mobile printing
- ✓ Mobile Fax: Send fax from phone
- ✓ HP Smart App: Better app experience
- ✓ Self-healing WiFi: More reliable
Canon E477 Advantages:
- ✓ ₹2,000 cheaper at ₹5,999
- ✓ Similar print quality and speed
- ✓ Borderless photo printing
Verdict:
Choose HP 4278 if you need the 35-page ADF for scanning multi-page documents. The ADF alone justifies the ₹2,000 premium over Canon E477!
Choose Canon E477 only if you don’t scan documents or can live with flatbed-only scanning and want to save ₹2,000.
🆚 vs HP Smart Tank 584 (Tank!)
₹13,999 | Tank Printer | WiFi | 6000 pages included
HP 4278 Advantages:
- ✓ ₹6,000 cheaper upfront (₹7,999 vs ₹13,999)
- ✓ 35-Page ADF: vs none in 584
- ✓ Bluetooth: 584 doesn’t have it
- ✓ Mobile Fax: 584 can’t fax
HP Smart Tank 584 Advantages:
- ✓ ₹0.10/page: vs ₹1.41/page (14× cheaper!)
- ✓ 6000 pages included: vs ~200 in 4278
- ✓ Faster speed: 12 ppm vs 8.5 ppm (40% faster)
- ✓ 3× duty cycle: 3000 vs 1000 pages/month
- ✓ Cheaper long-term: After 5000 pages printed
Verdict:
Choose HP 4278 ONLY if: 1) You can’t afford ₹13,999 AND 2) You print under 100 pages/month AND 3) You NEED the ADF.
Choose HP Smart Tank 584 for ANY regular printing (200+ pages/month). The ₹6,000 extra pays for itself within 2 years through ink savings!
🏆 Competitive Position
Best Feature
35-Page ADF at ₹7,999
Rare in budget cartridge printers
Biggest Weakness
High Running Cost
₹1.41/page vs ₹0.10 for tanks
Sweet Spot
Very light use + ADF needed
Under 100 pages/month only
Who Should Buy HP DeskJet 4278?
✅ PERFECT FOR
- • Very Light Users: Under 100 pages/month only
- • Students (Light Use): Occasional homework, rare assignments
- • Need ADF: Scan forms, applications, certificates
- • Tight Budget: Can’t afford ₹13,999 for tank
- • Occasional Scanners: Multi-page document scanning
- • Mobile Fax Users: Need to send fax digitally
- • Backup Printer: Secondary/emergency printer
❌ NOT FOR
- • Regular Users: 200+ pages/month (buy tank!)
- • Students (Heavy Use): Daily printing, projects
- • Small Businesses: Any regular office printing
- • Cost-Conscious: ₹1.41/page adds up fast
- • Speed Needed: 8.5 ppm is SLOW
- • Auto Duplex Wanted: Only manual 2-sided
- • Long-term Savings: Tank cheaper after 5K pages
🎯 The ONLY Scenario Where 4278 Makes Sense
✅ Condition 1
You print under 100 pages/month (very light occasional use only)
✅ Condition 2
Your budget is strictly ₹8,000 max and can’t afford ₹13,999 tank
✅ Condition 3
You NEED the 35-page ADF for scanning forms/documents regularly
If ALL three conditions are true, buy 4278. If even ONE is false, save up for HP Smart Tank 584 (₹13,999) – you’ll save thousands in the long run!
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- ✓ ₹7,999 Price: Ultra-budget entry point
- ✓ 35-Page ADF: RARE at this price! Huge value for scanners
- ✓ WiFi + Bluetooth: Modern wireless connectivity
- ✓ Mobile Fax: Send fax from phone (unique feature)
- ✓ HP Smart App: Best-in-class mobile app
- ✓ Good Print Quality: 1200 dpi black, 4800 dpi color
- ✓ Compact Size: Small footprint for tight spaces
- ✓ Low Initial Cost: Affordable for tight budgets
- ✓ Self-Healing WiFi: Reliable wireless connection
- ✓ USB Cable Included: Ready to use out of box
❌ Cons
- ✗ HIGH Running Cost: ₹1.41/page (14× more than tanks!)
- ✗ Expensive Cartridges: ₹677 black, ₹711 color every 1-2 months
- ✗ Low Page Yield: Only 480 pages black, 150 color per cartridge
- ✗ SLOW Speed: 8.5 ppm black (takes 12 min for 100 pages)
- ✗ No Auto Duplex: Manual 2-sided printing only (tedious)
- ✗ Small Capacity: 60-sheet input, 25-sheet output (frequent refills)
- ✗ Low Duty Cycle: 1000 pages/month max (light use only)
- ✗ Expensive Long-term: Costs more than tanks after 5000 pages
- ✗ Setup Cartridges: Low-yield starter cartridges (~200 pages only)
- ✗ Single-band WiFi: 2.4 GHz only (no 5 GHz)
🏆 Final Verdict
Should You Buy HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278?
The HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278 is a budget cartridge-based printer at ₹7,999 with ONE standout feature: a rare 35-page ADF scanner that’s almost never found at this price point. However, this is fundamentally a low-volume occasional-use printer with HIGH running costs (₹1.41/page vs ₹0.10 for tank printers) that will drain your wallet if you print regularly. It’s ONLY suitable for extremely light users who genuinely need the ADF feature and absolutely cannot afford a tank printer upfront.
The brutal reality of cartridge printers: they’re designed to make profit on ink, not hardware. HP sells the 4278 cheap at ₹7,999 (19% off from ₹9,880) to get you in the door, then recoups massive profits through expensive HP 682 cartridges: ₹677 for black (480 pages), ₹711 for tri-color (150 pages). At ₹1.41 per black page and ₹4.74 per color page, a user printing just 100 pages monthly spends ₹1,410 annually on ink – nearly 18% of the printer’s cost EVERY YEAR! Print 200 pages monthly and you’re spending ₹2,820 yearly on cartridges. The HP Smart Tank 584 (₹13,999) costs ₹6,000 more upfront but uses ₹0.10/page refills, making it CHEAPER after printing just 4,600 pages – which happens in under 2 years for a 200 pages/month user. The math is brutal and inescapable: cartridge printers are financial traps for regular users.
At ₹7,999 with ₹1,881 discount (19% off), the 4278 has exactly THREE valid use cases: 1) You print under 100 pages/month (very light occasional use – homework, rare forms), 2) Your budget is strictly ₹8,000 maximum and you genuinely cannot save up ₹6,000 more for a tank printer, and 3) You NEED the 35-page ADF for scanning multi-page documents (application forms, certificates, receipts). If ALL three conditions are true, the 4278 makes sense – the ADF feature alone justifies it over cheaper non-ADF cartridge printers like Canon PIXMA E477 (₹5,999). But if you print 200+ pages monthly, can afford ₹13,999, or don’t need ADF scanning, DO NOT BUY THIS PRINTER. Save up ₹6,000 more and buy HP Smart Tank 584 – the upfront difference pays for itself within 18-24 months through ink savings, and you get 6,000 pages included, faster speed (12 vs 8.5 ppm), and 3× higher duty cycle (3000 vs 1000 pages/month). The 4278 is a niche product for extremely light users who need ADF scanning. For everyone else printing regularly, tank printers are exponentially better value. Don’t fall for the low upfront price trap – calculate YOUR actual long-term costs before buying! The ₹7,999 sticker price is a mirage that evaporates the moment you buy your first replacement cartridge.
✅ Buy If You:
- • Print under 100 pages/month ONLY
- • Budget strictly ₹8,000 max
- • NEED 35-page ADF for scanning
- • Occasional homework/forms only
- • Can’t save up for tank printer
- • Understand high cartridge costs
- • Need mobile fax feature
⚠️ Don’t Buy If You:
- • Print 200+ pages/month
- • Want low running costs
- • Can afford ₹13,999 for tank
- • Don’t need ADF scanning
- • Think long-term savings
- • Want fast printing speed
- • Need auto duplex feature
→ Buy HP Smart Tank 584 instead!
🎯 Perfect For:
- • Very light occasional users
- • Students (minimal printing)
- • Form scanners (need ADF)
- • Tight budget buyers
- • Backup/emergency printer
- • Mobile fax senders
⭐ Rating: 6.5/10 (Niche Product – ADF is Only Strength)
Price
8.5/10
35-Page ADF
10/10
Running Cost
3.0/10
Speed
4.5/10
Value (Light Use)
6.5/10
⚠️ BUDGET CARTRIDGE PRINTER – ONLY FOR VERY LIGHT USE!
35-page ADF is standout feature. But high ₹1.41/page cost makes this unsuitable for regular printing!
Next Day Delivery | Save ₹1,881 | 1 Year Warranty | USB Cable Included
⚠️ WARNING: ₹1.41/page running cost – ONLY for under 100 pages/month!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Is HP DeskJet 4278 a tank printer?
NO! The 4278 is a CARTRIDGE-based printer, NOT a tank printer. It uses replaceable HP 682 cartridges (₹677 black, ₹711 color) that need replacing every 480 pages (black) or 150 pages (color). This is completely different from tank printers like HP Smart Tank 584 which use refillable ink bottles lasting 6000+ pages. Cartridge cost per page is ₹1.41 vs ₹0.10 for tanks – 14× more expensive! [web:87][web:91]
❓ What makes the 35-page ADF special at this price?
Most budget printers under ₹8,000 skip ADF to save costs – they only have flatbed scanners where you manually scan one page at a time. The 4278’s 35-page ADF lets you load a stack of documents and scan all pages automatically in minutes. This is RARE at ₹7,999 and the printer’s main selling point! Perfect for scanning forms, applications, certificates, receipts. If you scan multi-page documents regularly, the ADF alone justifies buying 4278 over cheaper non-ADF printers.
❓ How much do HP 682 replacement cartridges cost?
HP 682 Black cartridge: ₹677 (480 pages = ₹1.41/page). HP 682 Tri-color cartridge: ₹711 (150 pages = ₹4.74/page). Combo pack (both): ₹1,803. For a user printing 100 pages/month (50 black, 50 color), you’ll spend approximately ₹108/month on cartridges = ₹1,296/year. At 200 pages/month, that doubles to ₹2,592/year in cartridge costs alone! [web:87][web:88][web:93]
❓ Should I buy 4278 or save up for HP Smart Tank 584?
If you print 200+ pages/month, absolutely save up for Tank 584 (₹13,999)! Here’s why: At 200 pages/month (2400/year), cartridge costs = ₹3,384/year. Tank costs = ₹240/year. Annual savings = ₹3,144. The ₹6,000 extra for tank pays for itself in under 2 years, plus you get 6000 pages included, faster speed, and higher duty cycle. ONLY buy 4278 if: 1) You print under 100 pages/month AND 2) Budget is strictly ₹8,000 max AND 3) You need the ADF. Otherwise, tank is drastically cheaper long-term! [web:91]
❓ Does it come with ink cartridges included?
Yes, but SETUP cartridges only with LOW yield! Box includes HP 682 Setup Black and HP 682 Setup Tri-color cartridges – these are starter cartridges with approximately 200-250 pages total (much less than full cartridges). You’ll need to buy full replacement cartridges (₹677 black, ₹711 color) within the first month or two of regular use. The low-yield setup cartridges are designed to get you started, not for long-term use.
❓ Can I use third-party or refilled cartridges to save money?
Technically possible but NOT recommended! The 4278 uses dynamic security to block cartridges with modified or non-HP circuitry. HP regularly releases firmware updates that can block third-party cartridges that previously worked. Using non-HP cartridges may void warranty and can cause print quality issues. If you’re looking to save on ink costs through third-party cartridges, you’re better off just buying a tank printer upfront – it’s designed for low-cost refills!
❓ What is mobile fax and how does it work?
Mobile fax lets you send faxes from your smartphone using the HP Smart App – no landline phone needed! You can attach files from your phone, add a cover page, and send faxes over the internet. It’s digital faxing, not traditional phone-line faxing. Useful for sending documents to government offices, banks, or businesses that still require fax. You can access fax history, resend faxes, and print confirmations. This is a unique feature at ₹7,999!
❓ Does it have auto duplex (automatic 2-sided printing)?
NO – only manual duplex! You have to manually flip pages and reinsert them to print on both sides. The printer provides driver support (tells you when to flip), but YOU do the physical work. For a 50-page 2-sided document, you print 25 pages, manually flip the stack, reinsert, and print the other side. Tedious for large jobs. Auto duplex is only available in premium models like Smart Tank 720/750 (₹21,699+).
❓ How slow is 8.5 ppm speed in real-world use?
Quite slow for regular use! 8.5 ppm (ISO black) means: 10 pages = 1 min 10 sec, 50 pages = 6 minutes, 100 pages = 12 minutes. Compare to Smart Tank 720 (23 ppm): 100 pages = 4 minutes – you save 8 minutes per 100-page job! For occasional printing (10-20 pages), the speed is tolerable. For regular printing (100+ pages), it’s frustratingly slow. Speed is the price you pay for the ₹7,999 budget.
❓ What’s the maximum pages I can print per month?
Duty cycle is 1000 pages/month maximum. Recommended volume is 100-300 pages/month. Exceeding 1000 pages monthly risks damaging the printer and voids warranty. This is designed for light home use, not office use. If you need higher capacity, look at Smart Tank 584 (3000/month duty) or 720/750 (5000/month duty). The 1000-page limit is a clear signal this is NOT for regular/heavy printing!
❓ Can I print photos with good quality?
Yes! Print quality is actually good: 4800 x 1200 dpi color. Supports photo paper up to 300 g/m². Can print borderless 4×6 photos. HOWEVER, at ₹4.74 per color page, printing photos is EXPENSIVE! A 4×6 photo costs ₹4.74 in ink alone. Print 100 photos = ₹474 in ink. For occasional family photos, it’s fine. For frequent photo printing, consider dedicated photo printer or tank printer (₹0.10/page makes photos affordable).
❓ Does it have WiFi and Bluetooth?
Yes, both! WiFi 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz single-band) for wireless network printing. Bluetooth for direct mobile printing without WiFi. HP Smart App for print/scan/copy from smartphone. Supports Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. USB 2.0 cable included for wired connection. Self-healing WiFi auto-reconnects if connection drops. Connectivity features are actually decent for the ₹7,999 price!
❓ What warranty does it come with?
1-year limited hardware warranty from HP. Covers manufacturing defects and hardware failures. Does NOT cover cartridge issues or user damage. Support available through hp.com/support. Extended HP Care Pack warranties available for purchase separately. Note: Warranty is standard 1 year, not the extended page-based warranties (30K/50K) that tank printers get.
❓ Is ₹7,999 a good deal or should I wait for sales?
Current price is ₹7,999 (19% off from ₹9,880 MRP) – decent discount. However, the REAL question isn’t “is ₹7,999 cheap?” but “should I buy a cartridge printer at all?” Even at ₹6,000, the high running costs (₹1.41/page) make this expensive for regular users. Better question: Can you save up ₹6,000 more for Smart Tank 584 at ₹13,999? If yes, that’s the smarter long-term investment. If absolutely not, then ₹7,999 is fair for the ADF feature.
❓ Bottom line – should I buy HP DeskJet 4278?
ONLY if ALL three are true: 1) You print under 100 pages/month (genuinely light use), 2) Your budget is strictly ₹8,000 max and you can’t save more, 3) You NEED the 35-page ADF for scanning documents. If you print 200+ pages/month or can afford ₹13,999, buy Smart Tank 584 instead – it saves thousands in ink costs over 2-3 years. The 4278 is a niche product for extremely light users who specifically need ADF scanning. Don’t buy it for regular printing – you’ll regret the cartridge costs!
Complete Technical Specifications
| HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278 All-in-One Printer Full Specifications | |
|---|---|
| 📱 BASIC INFORMATION | |
| Model Number | 54R58B (HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278) |
| Product Type | Inkjet Printer (Cartridge-Based, NOT Tank) |
| Series | DeskJet Ink Advantage |
| Perfect For | Basic Color Printing, Home Use (Very Light) |
| Class | BUDGET CARTRIDGE – NOT FOR REGULAR USE |
| ⚠️ CRITICAL CARTRIDGE INFO | |
| Printer Type | CARTRIDGE-BASED (NOT Tank!) |
| Cartridge Model | HP 682 Black, HP 682 Tri-color |
| Black Cartridge Cost | ₹677 (480 pages) [web:87] |
| Color Cartridge Cost | ₹711 (150 pages) [web:86] |
| Cost Per Page (Black) | ₹1.41 [web:93] |
| Cost Per Page (Color) | ₹4.74 |
| vs Tank Printers | 14× MORE EXPENSIVE than tanks (₹0.10/page) [web:91] |
| 🖨️ PRINT SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Functions | Print, Scan, Copy, Wireless, Send Mobile Fax |
| Print Technology | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Print Speed (ISO Black) | Up to 8.5 ppm |
| Print Speed (ISO Color) | Up to 5.5 ppm |
| Print Speed (Draft Black) | Up to 20 ppm |
| Print Speed (Draft Color) | Up to 16 ppm |
| Speed Reality Check | 100 pages = 12 minutes (SLOW compared to tanks!) |
| Print Quality (Black) | Up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi |
| Print Quality (Color) | Up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi |
| Duty Cycle (Monthly) | Up to 1000 pages |
| Recommended Monthly Volume | 100 to 300 pages (LIGHT use only!) |
| Target Users | For teams up to 3 users; Prints up to 100 pages/month |
| Duplex Printing | Manual only (driver support provided) |
| 🖊️ INK CARTRIDGES | |
| Number of Cartridges | 2 (1 Black, 1 Tri-color) |
| Ink Types | Pigment-based (black), Dye-based (color) |
| Print Head Nozzles | 328 (black), 588 (color) |
| Print Heads | 2 (1 each black, tri-color) |
| Replacement Cartridges | HP 682 Black (3YM77AA), HP 682 Tri-color (3YM76AA), HP 682 Combo 2-Pack (6ZD29AA) |
| 📋 COPY SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Copy Speed (Black) | Up to 6 cpm (ISO) |
| Maximum Copies | Up to 9 copies |
| Copy Settings | Via HP Smart App |
| 📄 SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Scan Technology | Contact Image Sensor (CIS) |
| ADF (Auto Document Feeder) | ✅ 35-Page ADF (STANDOUT FEATURE!) |
| Flatbed Scanner | Yes |
| Scan Resolution (Hardware) | Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Scan Resolution (Optical) | Up to 1200 dpi |
| Color Scanning | Yes (24-bit) |
| Scan File Formats | JPEG, TIFF, PDF, BMP, PNG |
| Scan Maximum Size | 216 x 297 mm (A4) |
| TWAIN Version | Version 2.4 |
| 📶 CONNECTIVITY | |
| Wireless Capability | Yes (WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz single-band) |
| Bluetooth | ✅ Yes |
| WiFi Direct | Yes |
| Self-Healing WiFi | Yes (Auto-reconnects) |
| USB Connection | 1× Hi-Speed USB 2.0 |
| Mobile Printing | HP Smart App, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria |
| Mobile Fax | ✅ Yes (Send fax from phone) |
| 📏 PAPER HANDLING | |
| Input Capacity (Standard) | 60-sheet input tray |
| Output Capacity (Standard) | 25-sheet output tray |
| Photo Paper Capacity | Up to 20 sheets (4×6) |
| Card Capacity | Up to 20 cards |
| ADF Capacity | 35 sheets |
| 📄 SUPPORTED MEDIA | |
| Media Sizes (Key) | 10 x 15 cm, A4, Envelopes |
| Media Sizes (All) | A4, B5, A6, DL envelope |
| Custom Media Sizes | 76 x 127 to 215 x 355 mm |
| Media Types | Plain paper, photo paper, brochure paper, envelopes, specialty inkjet papers |
| Media Weight (Supported) | A4: 60-90 g/m², Envelopes: 75-90 g/m², Cards: up to 200 g/m², Photo: up to 300 g/m² |
| 💻 OPERATING SYSTEMS | |
| Compatible OS | Windows 11, 10; macOS 10.14-14 Sonoma; Chrome OS |
| Mac Compatible | Yes (Full macOS support) |
| 💾 MEMORY & CONTROL | |
| Memory | 64 MB DDR1 |
| Control Panel | Fixed icons display; 7 buttons (Power, Cancel, Resume, Info, Wireless, Color Copy, Black Copy); 5 LED indicator lights |
| ⚙️ POWER | |
| Power Consumption (Ready) | 2.8 W |
| Power Consumption (Sleep) | 1.53 W |
| Power Consumption (Off) | 0.3 W |
| Power Supply Type | Internal built-in |
| 📐 DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT | |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 428 x 332 x 200 mm |
| Maximum Dimensions | 428 x 579 x 261 mm (with extensions) |
| 🛡️ WARRANTY | |
| Warranty | 1 year limited hardware warranty |
| Support | 24/7 support through hp.com/support |
| 💰 PRICING | |
| MRP | ₹9,880 |
| Discount | ₹1,881 (19% OFF) |
| Selling Price | ₹7,999 (incl. of all taxes) |
| Running Cost Warning | ₹1.41/page black, ₹4.74/page color – HIGH! |
| 📦 BOX CONTENTS | |
| In The Box | HP DeskJet 4278 Printer × 1 HP 682 Setup Black Cartridge (low yield) HP 682 Setup Tri-color Cartridge (low yield) Power Cord × 1 USB Cable × 1 Setup Guide, Reference Guide, Regulatory Flyers |
| 🌍 MANUFACTURING INFO | |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Cal-Comp Optical Electronics (Yueyang) Co., Ltd |
| Importer | HP India Sales Private Ltd., Bangalore – 560030 |
Ready to Buy HP DeskJet 4278?
Budget ₹7,999 – 35-Page ADF – WiFi+Bluetooth – Mobile Fax!
🛒 Buy Now at ₹7,999!✓ Next Day Delivery | ✓ Save ₹1,881 | ✓ 1 Year Warranty | ✓ USB Cable Included
⚠️ WARNING: ₹1.41/page running cost – ONLY for under 100 pages/month!
Disclaimer: Product specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. All specifications verified as of November 2025. The HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278 is a CARTRIDGE-based printer (NOT a tank printer) with high running costs of ₹1.41 per black page and ₹4.74 per color page. It is ONLY suitable for very light users printing under 100 pages/month who specifically need the 35-page ADF feature. For regular printing (200+ pages/month), tank printers like HP Smart Tank 584 are exponentially cheaper long-term despite higher upfront cost. Cartridge prices sourced from verified retailers. Page yield estimates based on ISO/IEC 24711/24712 testing. The 35-page ADF is the main feature justifying this printer over cheaper non-ADF alternatives. Calculate your actual monthly printing volume and long-term costs before purchasing!