The HP DeskJet 2955 functions as an entry-level all-in-one inkjet printer engineered primarily for modest domestic workloads. Serving as an update to the older HP DeskJet 2855e, this unit integrates dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities and transitions to HP 68 ink cartridges designed to offer marginally higher page yields. Structurally, the hardware prioritizes space efficiency through a lightweight chassis that fits neatly onto tight desks or utility shelves. Both paper trays retract cleanly when printing is complete to reduce the overall footprint. However, operating the unit requires adequate overhead and front clearance to load sheets into the rear feeder, retrieve printed output, and lift the scanner lid without obstruction. Connectivity options span standard USB alongside Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, accompanied by wireless mobile printing compatibility through Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service.
Printing Pace and Workflow Limitations for Office Use
Deploying this hardware in a small workspace or business environment presents significant operational bottlenecks. Output velocity remains distinctly sluggish, clocking in at approximately 6 monochrome pages per minute and down to 3 pages per minute when producing color documents. Capacity is similarly constrained by a compact rear paper tray that holds only 60 sheets, necessitating frequent paper replenishment during moderate print jobs. Furthermore, the unit lacks an automated duplex printing mechanism, meaning double-sided work requires the user to manually flip and reload individual sheets into the feed mechanism. While wire-free mobile printing helps with quick household tasks, the omission of an Ethernet port prevents direct physical integration into local wired office networks.
Cartridge Page Yields and Recurring Operating Expenses
The financial practicality of the printer is heavily undermined by exceptionally low ink yields. A standard black cartridge produces roughly 160 pages, while the accompanying color cartridge manages only about 69 pages under typical usage. These low thresholds result in constant cartridge swaps for anyone printing on a routine basis. The architecture relies on a single black cartridge paired with a composite tri-color unit. Because cyan, magenta, and yellow are housed inside a single casing, the entire tri-color cartridge must be discarded and replaced the moment any single shade depletes, stranding whatever ink remains in the other chambers. To help mitigate the frequency of black ink replenishment, an optional higher-yield black cartridge is offered, and the device qualifies for an optional recurring ink subscription program.
Flatbed Scanning Performance and Mechanical Boundaries
Document digitisation is managed through an integrated flatbed scanner that captures crisp text and legible line work for routine paperwork and household invoices. However, productivity is restricted by the absence of an automatic document feeder, forcing users to position and scan multi-page paperwork one individual sheet at a time. Throughput is notably sluggish, requiring approximately one minute to digitise a single page. From an optical reproduction standpoint, the sensor struggles to register faint background elements, routinely washing out low-contrast graph grids or delicate security watermarks. Additionally, the scanner lid hinges remain fixed in place without vertical extension, making it difficult to lay thick volumes or bound files flat against the glass surface.
Creative Projects, Photo Handling, and Color Reproduction
Crafters and photo hobbyists will find the printer's imaging capabilities strictly basic. The rear tray supports matte, semi-gloss, and glossy photo stock across standard dimensions such as 4" x 6", 5" x 7", and 8" x 10". Nevertheless, the hardware cannot execute true borderless printing, leaving unavoidable white borders on all finished media. In test runs with 4" x 6" photos, edge clipping occurs where parts of the peripheral image disappear from the final physical print despite displaying fully inside the software preview. Color accuracy is noticeably compromised, causing analogous tonal shades to merge together and rendering fine pictorial textures soft. Specialized media settings for canvas or dedicated fine art paper types are completely absent from the configuration menu.
Inactivity Risks and Maintenance Demands
Because the unit employs thermal inkjet technology, keeping it dormant over extended intervals introduces the risk of clogged printheads, producing streaked text or faded color bands. Running the automated maintenance cleaning cycles resolves moderate blockages, though each cleaning routine consumes valuable ink reserves. One structural advantage is that the printheads are integrated directly into the replaceable cartridges rather than the internal printer carriage. If a persistent clog cannot be cleared through software purging, installing a fresh cartridge entirely replaces the faulty printhead mechanism. While this design prevents permanent hardware failure from dried ink, discarding an unfinished cartridge to fix a clog inflates operational expenditure. Additionally, initial setup may present hurdles involving driver installation and mobile application pairing.
