Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsHP Quality Has Decreased: HP 9015e Does Not Compare to HP 8610, HP 8630, or HP 8740
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
I am a long-time HP customer, and all my printers have been HPs. My first printer, a black-and-white HP laser printer, lasted for many years. It was followed by an HP DeskJet 940c color printer; this printer still works, but it is now difficult to find its cartridges (I only purchase HP cartridges, and the printer rejects out-of-date cartridges) and its function is limited to printing only. My printers since then have been HP OfficeJet Pro All-in-One Printer/Scanner/Fax — HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740 — each of which has unique problems. The HP 8610 will scan to USB, but ruins the USB drive to which files and images are scanned. The HP 8630 fails to recognize or acknowledge the presence of a USB drive but it will scan to PC’s using its wireless capabilities and it can print using both of its paper trays. The HP 8740, the worst until now, fails to recognize or acknowledge the presence of USB drives, it will not scan to PCs unless the PC initiates the connection, it has frequent paper jams, and the second paper tray is useless as the unit will not acknowledge its presence. As you might imagine, it is disappointing to spend money — at the time $399, $299, and $349 (after coupon and price-match), respectively — on these all-in-one printer/scanner/fax units and not be able to use all their stated features.
That said, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e is no different — it has problems too. The first problem I noticed while removing it from the box is the lower quality of the build of the device. The quality of my HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740 is far greater than that of the HP 9015e; it feels cheap in comparison to the HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740. The HP 9015e does not even have a real paper tray — the back of its “paper tray” is open: there are two long plastic hooks and no distinct location for the back placement of the paper. Real paper trays have a clear front and back location for the paper within the tray. The front door of the HP 9015e, via which one accesses the cartridges, does not have the high quality feel of the front doors of the HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740, and this door does not close as soundly (and is not flush against the body of the unit!) as that of the other three units. The HP 9015e does not even have a power button with a solid feel as the HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740. The sounds of the working HP 9015e are not satisfying as those for the HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740: the HP 9015e sounds rickety and as if it is falling apart. Every time I print something, I wonder if this will be the last page I can print — I have owned this printer for less than one month at the writing of this review and there was a two-week delay before I could set up the printer at my office: I should not feel this way about a brand new printer. The output “tray” for the HP 9015e is a disappointment and it does not hold printed pages well; it certainly does not hold printed pages as securely as the HP 8610, HP 8630, or HP 8740. So far, I have been able to print several pages as well as scan to PC, initiated via the PC, but I have not been able to test the unit to its full extent.
Installation using the HP Smart App was TERRIBLE! The connection options for the HP 9015e are wireless, ethernet, and USB: all three should work, yet the HP Smart App refused to install the printer via USB connection. After trying to connect the HP 9015e to my Windows 10 PC multiple times — too many times — using the HP Smart App, I downloaded the only other available software option to provide printer/scanner funtionality. This software was also problematic as it directed me to wireless or ethernet connection, rather than USB connect to PC. However, after multiple attempts, the USB connection between the HP 9015e and my PC was established — and accepted by the software; one should not have to endure inquires from software regarding one’s choice of connection type — the owner of the device chooses the connection type, not HP via its software/app.
Since I need a printer/scanner/fax at my office, I decided to keep the HP 9015e, rather than to return it. However, I do have concerns about how long it will function and I am still in the process of determining which of its stated functions operate properly. I do not appreciate HP trying to dictate how I connect and use the printer for which I paid: I chose the USB connection and I chose to disable wireless printing since the printer is for my use (I paid for the printer and I pay for the cartridges), not for the use of others (who may wish to try to establish a wireless connection) at my place of work. It is worth mentioning that the HP+ option did not appear when I installed the HP 9015e using the software rather than the HP Smart App; this is not good business, HP, as everyone purchasing this unit should be offered the same “bonus” options.
Based on my experience with a firmware update for my HP 8630, I would recommend that you disable HP updates. After the last firmware update, my HP 8630 would not recognize the perfectly functional printhead installed in the printer; I had used my printer without issues prior to this firmware update. After that update the HP 8630 displayed a message that the printhead was now missing or damaged! To make a long story short, I was forced to purchase a new printhead for $179 in order to continue to use this printer! I view this as unacceptable and bad business on the part of HP. I have no intention of going through that for the HP 9015e; I plan to turn off HP updates so that they cannot be installed via my PC.
Due to the various problems that I have had with the HP 8610, HP 8630, and HP 8740 (especially its paper jams and the non-functional second paper tray), the HP 9015e may be my last HP printer because its build-quality does not compare favorably to any of the three. What happened to the quality of my original HP laserjet and my HP 940c???? I have to wonder about the quality of future HP printers or HP all-in-one units based on the cheap feel of the HP 9015e. I am disappointed, and I would not recommend purchasing the HP 9015e.
