HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6975 both offer fast print speeds, auto duplex scan, and multiple connectivity options. If you need a printer for frequent printing, they are recommended models that you should consider. Both are designed for home and small office uses, and are able to handle considerable amounts of monthly printing. So, which one is better?
Continue reading below to learn more about:
– The difference between HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6975
– The design and dimensions of each printer
– The available connectivity options on each printer
– The paper tray capacity and maximum paper size on each printer
– The print quality and performance of each printer
– Which HP OfficeJet Pro model that is more recommended
Distribution Line
In a previous article, we discussed about the differences between HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6968. Those two printers indeed have several notable distinctions, such as the auto duplex scan and the print speeds. However, HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are a bit different. If you take a look at their specifications, HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are almost completely identical.
This is because HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are indeed similar printers. They are named differently because they are sold through different distribution lines. HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 is coded T0F29A, whereas HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 is coded either J7K36A or J7K42A.
So, the printer number that you find in Walmart may be different than the one in Costco – but they are essentially the same printers. You may choose whichever between HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6975 that is available at a lower price. Then again, you probably won’t find a significant price difference, except if the store is having a sale.
Now that the confusion is cleared, let’s learn more about the dimensions, features, and performance of these printers. HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are ideal choices if you usually print several hundred pages per month. They are great for printing text documents.
Design
In terms of design, there is no real difference between HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 or 6975 and the other models in the series. It still comes with a plastic casing, a black finish with some glossy accents, and sleek, smooth curves. These printers look classy and professional.
The plastic casing helps to keep the weight relatively low. However, the casing is still solid and durable to keep the printer in good condition for a long time. The paper trays are also tough enough to hold thick stacks of paper.
The size of the printer is rather bulky. It is definitely bigger than a regular home printer, but it is not as bulky as heavy-duty printers designed for printing thousands of pages on a monthly basis. The printer’s maximum dimensions are 18.26 inches x 20.39 inches x 9.0 inches with the paper trays extended. Meanwhile, the weight is about 17.9 lbs.
You can still consider HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 as compact units, as they don’t need too much space. On the front side of each unit, you can find a 2.65-inch color display that also doubles as a touchscreen. It looks nice, and the displayed text is easy to read. It is also intuitive to use and responsive.
Connectivity
Both HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6975 come with multiple connectivity options. They are definitely ready for office use. They allow you to print from a computer, mobile device, or flash drive. They can also be connected to a wired or wireless network.
On the back of the printer, you can find the usual USB 2.0 port for computer connection. However, on the front side, there is another USB port which accepts USB sticks. So, when you need to print a document from a flash drive, you can plug it directly to the printer instead of going through a computer.
Additionally, there is the RJ-11 port for fax. Each printer has been equipped with an Ethernet port, so you can connect the printer directly to the router in order to make it available for all devices in the network.
Both HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 also have built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, so you can connect these printers wirelessly to the network if that’s your preference. HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 support wireless direct printing.
If you often work from a smartphone or tablet as well, then you are in luck. These printers do support mobile printing via HP ePrint, HP Smart App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria. So, you won’t ever need to transfer documents from your mobile device to a computer just for printing. You can send those files directly to your printer to be printed.
Paper Trays & Compatible Media
The input tray of each printer here has a maximum capacity of 225 sheets, which is great. The high capacity means that you won’t need to refill too frequently. Meanwhile, the output tray’s maximum capacity is 60 sheets.
There is an automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning multiple pages automatically. The ADF has a maximum capacity of 35 sheets, which should be sufficient for most office documents. A larger ADF capacity is needed only if you want to scan books, magazines, or complete theses or dissertations.
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6975 can be used for printing on plain papers, photo papers, cards, and envelopes. The input tray accepts a maximum paper size of US Legal (8.5 x 14 inches). However, for auto duplex printing, A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches) and US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) are the maximum supported sizes.
The flatbed scanner has a maximum size of 8.5 x 11.7 inches, which is suitable for A4 and US Letter. The ADF scanner will allow you to insert US Legal sheets, but only for one-sided scanning. The ADF scanner can perform auto duplex scan, but only for A4 and US Letter sheets.
The optical resolution of the scanner is 1200 x 1200 dpi, which is more than just good enough for getting sharp, crisp text. You can also use the scanner to capture photographs into high-resolution digital images. However, keep in mind that the maximum copy resolution is limited to 600 x 600 dpi, and the maximum fax resolution is 300 x 300 dpi.
Performance
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 have received a lot of positive reviews because of their excellent overall performance. But keep in mind that these printers are mostly designed for printing documents.
The maximum print resolution is 600 x 1200 dpi. This will give you sharp and crisp text, but printed images won’t be really detailed. The colors are solid and vibrant, but the printer won’t be able to reproduce accurate color gradations. In short, you should not rely on these printers for printing high-quality photographs.
Then again, HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are definitely impressive for office use. The print speeds at ISO setting are 20 ppm for black, 11 ppm for color. In draft setting, the print speeds can go up to 30 ppm for black, 26 ppm for color. You can get thick documents printed very quickly. In a place where there are several people who use the printer regularly, the fast performance is a huge benefit.
These printers are recommended for 200 – 800 pages per month. The maximum monthly duty cycle is actually 20,000 pages, but you should not exceed the recommended monthly volume too frequently as it will cause the printer to wear out more quickly. If your typical monthly use goes to the thousands, getting a true heavy-duty printer is probably better.
Ink
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are compatible with HP 902 ink cartridges. However, consumers in Europe, Africa, Latin America, or Asia Pacific may find the ink cartridges as HP 903, HP 904, or HP 905. These ink cartridges are pretty much the same.
Each printer runs with four cartridges for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Unlike budget inkjet printers which typically put the three colors in the same cartridge, the three colors have their own cartridges here. This is far more efficient. If you run out of, say, the cyan ink, you only need to replace the cyan cartridge without having to throw away the remaining magenta and yellow inks.
Then again, getting frequent cartridge replacements can be quite expensive. That’s why subscribing to the HP Instant Ink program is highly recommended. If you subscribe to the program, the company will send you a cartridge replacement whenever one of your inks runs low. The charge is based on your monthly print volume, and is typically lower than if you buy the cartridges by yourself.
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6975
Conclusion
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 and HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 are similar. They are named differently only because they are sold through different distribution lines. You may choose whichever printer that is currently available with a better price. Both printers are fast, and are suitable for frequent printing in home or office. They both are equipped with various connectivity options, auto duplex scan, and auto duplex print.
