Our take
HP's U.S. page identifies the LaserJet 5100 base model as product Q1860A#ABA. The HP guide describes a 22-page-per-minute monochrome printer that supports A3 and 11 × 17 output, which is the clearest reason to consider this model: a standard letter-only printer does not serve the same paper size. The base unit has a 100-sheet multipurpose tray and 250-sheet Tray 2. Do not borrow the Ethernet server and automatic duplexer that ship with the separate 5100tn/5100dtn configurations. This legacy model is relevant only when oversized mono output and the exact included configuration justify checking an older device.
A buyer who needs a documented legacy mono printer for oversized pages and can verify the exact base configuration, connection and accessory needs..
Do not choose the base 5100 when you need color, copy or scan functions, built-in network sharing, standard automatic duplex, or a current workload recommendation.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP documents support for A3 and 11 × 17 output on the LaserJet 5100 family.
- The base Q1860A configuration includes a 100-sheet multipurpose tray and 250-sheet Tray 2.
- Keeping the 5100 separate from 5100tn and 5100dtn avoids inheriting their bundled network and duplex hardware.
What to weigh up
- The base model is print-only and cannot replace a copier, scanner, color printer or fax machine.
- Ethernet and automatic duplex are not standard on Q1860A#ABA; optional parts or another configuration must be verified.
- The reviewed sources do not provide a recommended monthly workload range for this exact base model.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | 5100 (Q1860A#ABA) |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Monochrome laser print-only base model |
| Print output | Up to 22 ppm; supports A3 and 11 × 17 media |
| Two-sided printing | Network and automatic duplex are not standard on Q1860A#ABA |
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
Why consider a 5100 today?
Its distinguishing documented capability is wide-format monochrome output: HP's guide names A3 and 11 × 17 paper support and rates the printer up to 22 pages per minute. That can serve plans, tabloid-size forms or other oversized office documents that a letter-focused desktop printer cannot handle. The model is print-only, so it does not copy or scan originals. Buyers should decide first whether the larger media path is truly necessary; if most work is ordinary letter pages, this older large-format chassis may add footprint and setup burden without solving a daily need.
What paper capacity comes with the base unit?
HP's user guide lists a 100-sheet multipurpose Tray 1 and a 250-sheet Tray 2 for the Q1860A base printer. The multipurpose tray lets a user feed alternate media while the cassette remains loaded, and the second tray can keep the common stock ready. This helps when oversized and standard pages alternate, although capacity and media compatibility still need to be checked on the individual unit. The guide also describes a 500-sheet tray as part of the 5100dtn configuration; that extra tray is not a reason to assume the base Q1860A includes it.
Is it ready to share across a network?
The base Q1860A is not the same package as the 5100tn or 5100dtn. HP identifies the network print server with those separate configurations, and the source guide associates automatic duplex with the dtn bundle. The base unit therefore does not have built-in Ethernet or standard automatic duplex in the profile. Optional hardware may change what a particular used unit can do, so verify installed parts and the service manual before relying on sharing or two-sided printing. A product title that omits the suffix is not enough to identify the network and paper-handling setup.
Does it provide a multifunction workflow?
HP documents the LaserJet 5100 as a printer, not a scanner, copier or fax. A business that needs to digitize two-sided originals or send faxes would need separate equipment or a different product class. This distinction remains true even when a seller describes a large printer as a workgroup device. The 5100 can be judged on its print engine and large media support, but it should not be compared as if it had the document-handling features of a multifunction printer. Manual two-sided support is not established in the exact sources reviewed for this profile.
What workload is it designed for?
The HP source checked for the base model does not state a recommended monthly minimum or maximum. The up-to-22-ppm speed describes output under defined conditions; it is not a routine page recommendation. A buyer handling sustained output should recover the exact HP service documentation for the installed configuration rather than estimate from speed, tray size or duty cycle. The purchase link searches for the exact 5100 base model and part number because no current exact ASIN was verified. Check voltage, media path, interface card, duplexer and condition on the actual machine before treating it as an operational replacement.
Compare for your needs
Choose a 5100tn or 5100dtn only when its exact bundled network or duplex hardware is needed; choose a current letter-size printer for ordinary office pages.
Find the undefined that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Does the base LaserJet 5100 support tabloid pages?
HP's guide says the LaserJet 5100 supports A3 and 11 × 17 output, the model's central format distinction.
Does the Q1860A base model include Ethernet?
No standard network server is documented for the base Q1860A; HP describes networking on the separate tn configurations or optional hardware.
What monthly range does HP recommend?
The reviewed exact base-model sources do not state a recommended monthly range, so this profile leaves both bounds unknown.
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 U.S. LaserJet 5100 exact base model ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP U.S. exact 5100 base model and Q1860A#ABA identity ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP LaserJet 5100 configuration guide: base trays, 22 ppm, A3/11 × 17 and separate tn/dtn features ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP LaserJet 5100 user guide for exact family configurations ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
The decision
The base 5100 is a niche legacy choice for A3 or 11 × 17 monochrome output, with networking and duplex needing separate verification.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.