The HP Global Partner Conference, commonly known as HP GPC, is an invite-only confab where HP’s top 2,000 global partners are invited to hobnob with HP insiders about the direction and roadmaps concerning their various agendas.

I was there this year, as in past years.

Alyson Griffin is Vice President*, Worldwide Integrated Marketing & Communications, LaserJet and Enterprise Solutions for HP.

At the 2015 HP Global Partner Conference, I had the opportunity to speak with Alyson on her recently-released – the week before – HP LaserJet Pro (R-series) printers.

“What’s different about these new LaserJets?” we asked

She listed the new technologies:

• For one, Alyson was stoked about the new toner technologies in the printers. The new toners are the recipients of HP’s materials research, I am told, and as a result, deliver 40% smaller toner particulates that have a lower melting point, require less heat, and melt faster.
• The new toners also allow the printers to utilize 53% less energy than comparable devices, saving enterprises on OPEX costs.
• Less componentry is used in the printers, helping the already legendary – my words, based on several decades of HP LaserJet printer use and thousands of them recommended and purchased by client companies – LaserJets become even more reliable.
• How fast again, are these new printers, we ask? 9 seconds for the first page to print from sleep. In fact, the new r-series LaserJets print duplex documents as fast as other [manufacturer’s] printers print in simplex mode!
• These printers are part of HP’s enterprise printer portfolio, and as a result, they can leverage the intelligence HP has in the cloud.
• Oh, and they are priced starting from $250 US.

I am told that four products were released: 2 color LaserJets, and 2 monochrome products.

I can’t wait to lay my mitts on them.

Next, we get to something I always want to talk to HP about: the cost of printing consumables, specifically hardware consumables, as I can use 3^rd-party paper anytime.

“Do you use refurbished or remarked toner?” I am asked.

The look of horror on Alyson’s face as I say yes speaks volumes.

I soon learn why: HP toner cartridges are created and tested for single-use. Remarked cartridges are not new cartridges, but used cartridges refilled with that company’s toner. It is not HP toner, and despite received assurances, the use of such toner most likely slowly kills the printer!

I’m sold. No more penny-wise, dollar-foolish stuff there.

It was very good to see Alyson again, and I thank Nancy B. for making it happen.

*Subsequent to GPC, Alyson got elevated to another post, of which the actual moniker escapes me right now. I both congratulate her, and wish her luck in that new rôle.