HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer Review: The A3 Powerhouse for Small Offices?

For years, our small creative agency operated with a trusty A4 laser printer. It was fast, efficient, and handled our daily reports and invoices without a hitch. But a bottleneck was forming. Every time we needed to review architectural drawings, create full-scale marketing mock-ups, or print out a project timeline that didn’t require a magnifying glass, we hit a wall. The dreaded process involved splitting documents into tiled pages, painstakingly taping them together, or making costly, time-consuming trips to the local print shop. It was a workflow killer that stifled collaboration and added unnecessary expense. We needed an in-house solution that could handle everything from a standard letter to a full A3 spreadsheet without breaking the bank, and the search for an affordable, versatile wide-format printer began.

What to Consider Before Buying an All-In-One Printer

An All-In-One Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for streamlining the modern office or home workspace. By consolidating printing, scanning, copying, and often faxing into a single device, it saves an immense amount of physical space and reduces the complexity of managing multiple machines. The primary benefit is efficiency. Imagine being able to scan a multi-page contract directly to a client’s email, print a high-quality colour brochure, and copy meeting handouts, all from one central hub. This consolidation not only simplifies tasks but also reduces overall energy consumption and supply management, as you’re only dealing with one set of ink or toner cartridges.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of a multifaceted workflow. This includes small business owners, architects, designers, students, and busy families who need the flexibility to print A3 design proofs one moment and scan a child’s artwork the next. It’s for the user who values versatility over a single, specialised function. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those with highly specific, high-volume needs. A professional photography studio, for instance, would be better served by a dedicated photo printer, while an office that only prints thousands of monochrome text documents might find a dedicated laser printer more cost-effective in the long run.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: These machines, especially wide-format models, are not small. The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer, for example, has a significant footprint that grows even larger when the paper trays and output trays are extended. Always measure your intended space, accounting for full operational dimensions and the need for ventilation around the unit.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just print speed (PPM). Consider paper tray capacity—a higher capacity means less frequent refilling. For scanning, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a must-have for multi-page documents, and automatic duplex (two-sided) printing can cut paper consumption in half. The core function, whether it’s wide-format A3 printing or high-resolution photo output, should align with your primary needs.
• Materials & Durability: While most printers are constructed from durable plastic, pay attention to the moving parts. Are the paper trays flimsy or robust? Does the scanner lid feel solid? Online reviews and our hands-on experience often reveal potential weak points that aren’t apparent from a product description, which can impact the machine’s longevity under heavy use.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A user-friendly interface, like a colour touchscreen, can make daily operations much smoother. Consider the connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB) and the ease of setting them up. Long-term maintenance involves ink or toner replacement; investigate the cost per page and whether the printer is compatible with subscription services if that appeals to you.

Keeping these factors in mind, the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Workhorse That Means Business

Unboxing the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer is an experience in itself. This is not a delicate, compact home printer; it’s a substantial piece of office equipment. Weighing in at nearly 20 kg, it’s a two-person lift to get it situated. The initial setup, however, was surprisingly straightforward. The colour touchscreen guided us through every step, from installing the setup ink cartridges to connecting to our Wi-Fi network. The process took about 15 minutes from box to first print. The build is solid plastic, primarily in a professional-looking off-white and grey. While it feels sturdy, one immediate observation, echoed by many users, is the design of the A3 paper tray. To accommodate 11 x 17-inch paper, the front of the tray must be extended, causing it to protrude significantly from the printer’s otherwise sleek profile. It’s a functional necessity, but it does look a bit unfinished, a sentiment we found shared by others who noted some units seem to be missing a cosmetic cover flap seen in promotional materials.

A Deep Dive into the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740’s Performance

A printer’s value is ultimately decided by how well it performs its daily duties. We put the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer through its paces for several weeks, using it for everything from large-scale CAD drawings to everyday document scanning. It’s a machine of impressive capabilities, but also one with specific quirks and limitations that potential buyers need to understand.

The Star of the Show: A3 Wide-Format Capability and Paper Handling

The single most compelling reason to buy this printer is its ability to handle media up to 11 x 17 inches (A3). This feature transforms it from a standard office all-in-one into a powerful tool for creatives, engineers, and anyone who deals with large-format documents. We found the print quality on A3 plain paper to be excellent for its class. CAD drawings came out with crisp, clear lines, and colour-coded spreadsheets were vibrant and easy to read. As one user aptly noted, “ensure you use good quality paper – cheap paper = cheap results,” a finding we can wholeheartedly confirm. Using HP’s own presentation paper yielded impressive, professional-looking results for marketing materials.

The dual paper tray system is another major productivity booster. Each tray holds 250 sheets, allowing us to dedicate one tray to standard A4 paper and the other to A3. Switching between them is handled seamlessly through the print driver or the touchscreen, eliminating the constant need to swap paper. However, the A3 implementation isn’t perfect. As mentioned, loading A3 paper requires extending the bottom tray, which then sticks out several inches. The output catcher also feels precariously short for A3 prints, leaving them hanging slightly over the edge. While we never had a page fall, it feels like an oversight in an otherwise well-designed machine. This design choice is a common point of contention among users, with one disappointed buyer stating, “With A3 paper loaded, the paper tray does not fully shut… Paper catcher barely long enough for A3 paper.” It’s a functional compromise that sacrifices aesthetics for capability.

Connectivity and Software: Powerful but Sometimes Temperamental

In today’s connected world, a printer’s software and wireless capabilities are just as important as its print engine. The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer offers a full suite of options: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB, along with support for Apple AirPrint and HP’s ePrint app. For the most part, we found the wireless printing to be reliable and responsive from both our MacBooks and Windows PCs. AirPrint worked flawlessly from our iPhones, making it incredibly simple to print photos and documents on the fly.

However, the software experience can be a double-edged sword. We, like several users, encountered the infamous “Printer is offline” error in Windows. This recurring issue can be incredibly frustrating. One user noted they “seriously thought about sending the printer back” over this very problem. Our solution, and one that seems to be a common fix, was to connect the printer via Ethernet first, access its web interface by typing its IP address into a browser, and perform a firmware update. After the update, the wireless connection became rock-solid. This is a critical step that seems to resolve many of the connectivity complaints. The HP Smart app is functional for scanning and managing the printer, but some find it a bit slow and cumbersome. While HP’s software installation allows you to opt out of data collection, the overall software suite feels less polished than the hardware it controls, with some users calling it “atrocious.”

All-in-One Versatility: A True Office Hub

Beyond its wide-format printing, this device is a highly competent all-in-one. The scanner is a standout feature, boasting a huge legal-size flatbed glass. This was a massive advantage for us when digitizing old, oversized documents and artwork that wouldn’t fit on a standard A4 scanner. One genealogist praised this specific feature, saying the “scanner glass is huge” and “fits the glass perfectly.”

The 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is another time-saver, capable of scanning and copying two-sided documents in a single pass. This is a premium feature that makes digitizing stacks of double-sided reports incredibly efficient. It’s important to note a key limitation that caught us by surprise: the ADF cannot handle A3 paper. For scanning or copying wide-format documents, you must use the flatbed glass one page at a time. This feels like a missed opportunity to create a truly seamless wide-format workflow. Despite this, the scanning and copying functions for standard sizes are fast, reliable, and produce high-quality results. Fax functionality is also included, rounding out its capabilities as a comprehensive office hub.

Print Quality, Speed, and a Major Caveat on Cost

For standard office documents, the print quality is excellent. Text is sharp and laser-like, while colour graphics in reports and presentations are vivid and accurate. The rated speeds of 22 ppm for black and 18 ppm for colour are respectable for an inkjet of this class, and in our real-world tests, it felt snappy enough for a small office environment. Where it falls short, however, is in photo printing. While you can get “not too bad” results on high-quality glossy photo paper, it is by no means a photo printer. One user was unequivocal, calling it “totally useless printing photographs” due to persistent lines running through every print. Our tests confirmed this; while casual photos were acceptable, anyone serious about photography should look elsewhere.

The most significant drawback we discovered relates to the long-term running costs. A major selling point for many modern HP printers is the Instant Ink subscription service, which automatically ships you ink before you run out for a low monthly fee. In a baffling decision, the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer is **not eligible** for this program. One user, who owned other HP printers, was blindsided by this, calling it a “real bummer.” This means you are reliant on purchasing standard or XL cartridges at retail prices, which can be costly, especially with frequent colour or A3 printing. This single factor could be a deal-breaker for those with high print volumes looking to manage their expenses predictably. If you’re considering this powerful machine, you can check the latest price on its high-yield ink cartridges to factor them into your budget.

What Other Users Are Saying

After thoroughly testing the device, we found our experiences aligned closely with the broader consensus. The praise is consistent: it’s a “real workhorse” for those who need its specific capabilities. One long-term owner, who has used it daily since 2016, reported they’ve “never had any issues or problems.” Another celebrated its ability to print borderless certificates, calling it a “beast of a printer.” The large scanner glass and reliable A3 printing for drawings and documents are frequently cited as its strongest assets.

However, the criticisms are just as consistent. The protruding A3 paper tray is the most common aesthetic complaint. The lack of HP Instant Ink eligibility is a significant financial disappointment for many. The most serious issue reported by a minority of users is long-term reliability, specifically print head failure after the one-year warranty expires. One user reported their machine became inoperable after just 18 months and 57 copies due to a “print head is missing” error, a repair that costs nearly as much as a new printer. While our unit performed flawlessly, this potential for premature failure is a noteworthy risk.

How Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Compare to the Alternatives?

While the HP 7740 carves out a specific niche, it’s crucial to see if other options might better suit your needs. We’ve compared it to three popular alternatives.

1. Brother MFC-L2835DW All-in-one Mono Laser Printer Auto Duplex

The Brother MFC-L2835DW represents a completely different philosophy. As a monochrome laser printer, its sole focus is on producing high volumes of black-and-white text quickly and affordably. It excels in a traditional office environment where contracts, invoices, and reports are the primary output. Its cost per page for text is significantly lower than the HP inkjet, and its print speeds are faster. However, it completely lacks colour and, most importantly, the A3 wide-format capability. If your work never requires you to print larger than A4 and colour is a non-necessity, this Brother laser printer is a more economical and specialised workhorse.

2. Epson WorkForce WF-2110W

The Epson WorkForce WF-2110W is a compact, single-function A4 inkjet printer. Its main advantages are its small footprint and lower initial purchase price. This makes it an ideal choice for a home office or student dorm where space is at a premium and the primary need is basic document and occasional colour printing. It lacks the scanning, copying, and faxing features of the HP 7740, and it is restricted to A4 paper size. If all you need is a simple, no-frills printer for standard documents and don’t require the all-in-one features or A3 size, the Epson offers a much more space- and budget-friendly solution.

3. Brother MFC-J4340DW A4 Colour Multifunction Inkjet Printer

The Brother MFC-J4340DW is perhaps the most direct competitor, but with a key difference. It is also a colour multifunction inkjet printer with print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities, aimed at the small office/home office market. It boasts strong connectivity, an ADF, and automatic duplex printing. Where it diverges from the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer is size; the Brother is strictly an A4 device. It offers a very similar feature set in a more compact and office-friendly design, without the protruding tray issue. For users who want the versatility of a colour all-in-one but have no need to ever print on A3 paper, this Brother model is a fantastic and often more practical alternative.

Our Final Verdict: A Niche Powerhouse with Compromises

The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer is not a machine for everyone, but for a specific user, it is an invaluable tool. If your workflow regularly demands printing, scanning, or copying A3 documents—be it for architectural plans, marketing proofs, or large spreadsheets—this printer offers incredible capability for its price point. The dual trays, single-pass duplex scanning, and large flatbed glass are genuine productivity enhancers that solve real-world problems for small businesses and creatives.

However, you must be willing to accept its compromises: its bulky and somewhat awkward design when using A3 paper, its unsuitability for high-quality photo printing, and most critically, the lack of support for the cost-saving HP Instant Ink program. Provided you can live with these trade-offs and your primary need is versatile, affordable, in-house wide-format document handling, the HP 7740 is a powerful and highly recommended solution that punches well above its weight.

If you’ve decided the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Monochrome Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.