Our take
HP identifies U.S. product Q3948A#ABA as the Color LaserJet 2820 All-in-One and marks it discontinued. The exact 2820 prints, copies, and scans in color. Its guide rates output at up to 20 pages per minute for black Letter pages and 4 ppm for color; it documents manual two-sided printing, a 125-sheet tray, USB 2.0, and 10/100 Ethernet. HP recommends 500–2,000 pages each month and separately lists a 30,000-page maximum duty cycle. That maximum is not a routine workload recommendation.
A small office that needs color printing plus copy and scan, can accept manual page turning, and can verify the condition and support needs of an older unit..
Skip it if automatic duplex, fax, built-in Wi-Fi, current manufacturer availability, or a compact one-function printer is a requirement.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP documents color print, copy, and scan functions on the exact 2820 configuration.
- A 500–2,000 page recommended monthly range gives more workload guidance than a duty-cycle maximum alone.
- The guide specifies USB 2.0, wired Ethernet, and a standard 125-sheet feed tray.
What to weigh up
- Two-sided printing is manual, so the user must handle the sheets between sides.
- Color output is rated at up to 4 ppm on Letter, while black output is rated up to 20 ppm.
- HP marks the printer discontinued; its current condition, supplies, and host compatibility need separate checks.
The key details
| Model covered | Color LaserJet 2820 / Q3948A#ABA |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color print, copy, and scan; no fax |
| Print output | Color laser; up to 20 ppm black and 4 ppm color on Letter |
| Two-sided printing | Manual duplex; automatic duplex is not documented |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 11, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
Which 2800-series model is the 2820?
HP's guide describes the 2820 as a color printer, scanner, and copier, while it reserves fax for the 2830 and 2840. It also distinguishes their paper configurations: the 2840 includes the 250-sheet Tray 2, while the 2820 uses the 125-sheet multifunction Tray 1. This suffix check matters because listings often group all three older models together. A buyer who needs color copies and scans can use the 2820's functions, but a fax requirement calls for another exact configuration. Confirm Q3948A#ABA on the nameplate before applying any family-level specification.
How does the color and black speed change the fit?
HP rates this model for up to 20 pages per minute in black on Letter and up to 4 ppm in color on Letter. The A4 black figure is up to 19 ppm. Those rates describe the manufacturer's stated maximums, not a promise about mixed graphics, first-page time, or a worn secondhand device. The gap between black and color is important if the office mainly prints spreadsheets or text but only occasionally needs color. It is a less convincing match for recurring color-heavy packets. Choose it for the color-capable workflow, not on the assumption that color jobs keep pace with black pages.
What paper and duplex handling should you expect?
The exact 2820 configuration includes a 125-sheet Tray 1. HP assigns the 250-sheet Tray 2 to the 2840, so a photograph of a family model or generic product description does not establish that larger cassette on this printer. The guide describes manual two-sided printing rather than a built-in automatic duplex unit. That is workable for occasional short documents when someone can reinsert pages, but it adds handling and raises the chance of orientation mistakes on larger jobs. If automatic duplex is a must-have, keep that as a requirement and choose a documented auto-duplex model instead.
Does the 2820 fit a wired office setup?
HP lists built-in 10/100 Ethernet and Hi-Speed USB compatible with USB 2.0. Ethernet allows the printer to join a wired office network; USB supports a direct workstation connection. The documented standard interfaces do not include built-in Wi-Fi, and this review does not treat phone software or a separate network bridge as a printer radio. Check whether the office can still install a compatible driver and scan workflow on its current computers. The manual and HP support record the original interfaces, but cannot confirm that the ports on a particular used unit still operate.
How should its monthly range and discontinued status be read?
HP's specification page recommends 500–2,000 printed pages per month for this model. It also gives a separate duty-cycle maximum of 30,000 pages. The two numbers serve different purposes: the higher maximum compares robustness and should not be used as the normal monthly target. HP's store marks Q3948A#ABA discontinued. That does not determine whether a refurbished unit is usable, but it does make supply access, driver support, return terms, and the condition of its imaging components questions for the seller. Preserve the recommendation as a range and verify the exact offered machine before committing.
What else to compare
Choose an automatic-duplex color MFP if frequent two-sided jobs matter more than this model's published volume range, or a fax-capable 2830/2840 only after checking the exact variant and tray configuration.
Before you buy
Does the Color LaserJet 2820 include fax?
No. HP's guide assigns full fax functionality to the 2830 and 2840, not to the exact 2820 configuration.
Can the 2820 print both sides automatically?
No. HP documents manual two-sided printing for the 2820; the reviewed guide does not specify an automatic duplex unit.
Does the 2820 include the 250-sheet second tray?
No. HP lists the standard 250-sheet Tray 2 for the 2840. The 2820 uses its 125-sheet Tray 1.
What monthly workload does HP recommend?
HP recommends 500–2,000 pages per month and lists a separate 30,000-page maximum duty cycle.
Is built-in Wi-Fi documented for the 2820?
No. HP lists 10/100 Ethernet and Hi-Speed USB as standard interfaces; built-in Wi-Fi is not documented.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP Color LaserJet 2820/2830/2840 User Guide: exact model features, tray and duplex differences ↗ — checked October 11, 2026.
- HP Color LaserJet 2820/2830/2840 User Guide: model differences, output rate, tray, duplex and interfaces ↗ — checked October 11, 2026.
- HP U.S. product page: Q3948A#ABA identity and discontinued status ↗ — checked October 11, 2026.
- HP U.S. support specification: recommended volume, duty cycle and standard connectivity ↗ — checked October 11, 2026.
The decision
The Q3948A#ABA suits a modest color copy-and-scan routine when manual duplex and wired connectivity are acceptable. Its tray, fax, and support details must stay distinct from the 2830 and 2840.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.