Our take
HP's LaserJet 2100 series user guide identifies the base 2100 as model C4170A and distinguishes it from the 2100 M and 2100 TN. For the base model, HP documents monochrome print-only output at 10 pages per minute, 1200 x 1200 dpi, manual duplex, a 100-sheet multipurpose tray plus a standard paper tray, and parallel plus LocalTalk ports. The TN configuration, not the base 2100, includes Ethernet. The saved material does not establish a monthly recommendation or capacity for the standard tray. Treat it as a legacy device whose exact connectivity and current compatibility need attention.
A legacy mono workstation that can support the original connection path and occasional hand-managed two-sided output..
Avoid it if Ethernet, wireless, automatic duplex, current driver support, or an all-in-one workflow is needed without additional equipment.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP maps the base model to C4170A and documents a 1200 x 1200 dpi mode.
- The guide specifies manual duplex and a separate 100-sheet multipurpose feed.
- The 2100 series guide distinguishes the base model from the Ethernet-equipped TN configuration.
What to weigh up
- The base 2100 does not include the TN model's documented Ethernet interface.
- Two-sided printing is manual rather than automatic.
- HP's saved guide does not establish monthly guidance or standard-tray capacity.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | LaserJet 2100 / C4170A |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Monochrome print only |
| Print output | Up to 10 ppm; 1200 x 1200 dpi; monthly range unknown |
| Two-sided printing | Manual duplex; 100-sheet multipurpose feed plus standard tray |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 14, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
Confirm the base 2100 rather than a related suffix
HP identifies the base LaserJet 2100 as C4170A and separately describes 2100 M and 2100 TN variants. The TN version includes Ethernet; that feature should not be transferred to the base model. The candidate is for the plain 2100, so check the product label and rear ports before assuming a network configuration. This distinction can decide whether the printer can join an office queue or needs a compatible direct connection. A family title without the suffix is not enough to verify a port set.
A low rated pace with a documented print resolution
HP lists up to 10 pages per minute and a 1200 x 1200 dpi mode for the base model. That profile is relevant to basic monochrome pages where output pace is less important than the documented resolution mode. The specification does not establish how an aged unit will perform with a present-day computer or mixed jobs. It is print-only, so copying and scanning need another device. Compare the exact connection and driver requirements with the intended desk before treating the resolution figure as a reason to choose it.
Manual duplex is an operator workflow
HP documents manual duplex for the base 2100. A user must refeed or otherwise handle pages between sides, which may be manageable for occasional short documents but creates extra steps for recurring long reports. The guide does not establish automatic duplex on this configuration. Confirm the paper orientation instructions before a job, and avoid interpreting a seller's two-sided sample as proof of an automatic mechanism. If duplex is a frequent requirement, a current model with documented automatic duplex is simpler to operate.
Use the multipurpose feed without guessing tray capacity
The guide lists a 100-sheet multipurpose tray and a standard paper tray, but the saved evidence does not give a verified capacity for that second tray. The multipurpose feed can support a separate paper path for compatible media. Do not invent a combined input number or count an optional tray as standard. The source also gives no recommended monthly page range. Keep both volume fields unknown rather than substituting rated speed, resolution, or tray count for workload advice.
Plan around legacy ports and used-device checks
The base model uses parallel and LocalTalk ports in the reviewed guide, so a modern office may need a supported adapter or print-server path; that compatibility is not established here. Ask for the C4170A label, a sample page, port photographs, and confirmation that the host computer can send jobs. Check paper feed, toner, maintenance history, and return terms. The Amazon destination searches by exact model and product number because the historical ASIN is not verified as a current exact listing. This review does not claim current price, stock, or personal testing.
Compare for your needs
Choose a modern mono printer when network and driver compatibility matter, or an automatic-duplex model for recurring two-sided output.
Find the undefined that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Does the base LaserJet 2100 include Ethernet?
HP documents Ethernet on the 2100 TN configuration, not on the base C4170A model.
Is duplex printing automatic?
No. HP's guide documents manual duplex for the base 2100, which requires handling the paper between sides.
How much paper does the standard tray hold?
The saved guide identifies a 100-sheet multipurpose feed and a standard tray, but does not establish the standard tray's capacity.
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 and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP LaserJet 2100 series user guide ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP LaserJet 2100 series user guide: C4170A identity, model variants, output, feed paths and ports ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
The decision
The base LaserJet 2100 is only a cautious legacy fit when its parallel or LocalTalk connection and manual duplex workflow remain usable.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.