Deep Dive 5 - Exploring the differences between the HP DesignJet T650 versus the DesignJet T730 A0 printers

08 July 2022

The HP DesignJet T650 and T730 A1/A0 printers are large format printers manufactured by Hewlett Packard (HP).

Typically, buyers are similar, as they want to print off plans/line drawings/designs and might use software such as AutoCAD. However, they want a low-cost print solution (and have the added capability of also being able to print A3/A4 prints via the sheet feeder).  

While the buyer/end user may be operating in the AEC sector (Architects, Engineering, Construction) they may equally belong to other types of businesses such as garden designers, interior designers, general planners, logistics planning and more…

The key difference between these two models is that the T730 Series is a far more robust build and built for print volumes of 100 prints per month (at this rate, the parts that wear and tear with use will last approximately 5 years). The build quality of the T650 is less substantial and this model is built for print volumes of 50 prints per month (at this rate, the parts that wear and tear with use will last approximately 5 years).

The ink is also a lot cheaper with the T730 model versus the T650 series and T730 ink cartridges are manufactured in larger 130ml and 300ml sizes (versus the T650 which offers 80ml/38ml black inks and 29ml colour inks). However, on the negative side the T730 has manual switching between the sheet feed and roll feed whereas this is automatic with the T650 series. This means if you plan to swap between the roll feed and sheet feeder regularly, the T650 might be a better time-saving option for you.

Both printers are Wi-Fi enabled and sit on their own stand which can be easily wheeled around when required, with a useful media bin to catch the prints. Both the T650 and T730 models offer a 1GB memory. This is more than adequate for most applications unless you have either particularly complex drawings (possibly with lots of layers) or very large files to print where you might need a PostScript printer – the memory is also nearly double that of the entry level T230 and T250 models (which only have 512MB). For this reason, you can look at the T650 and T730 models generally as having greater longevity and better future proofing for the business.  

The other advantage to the T730 is that it has its own LAN whereas the T650 doesn't offer this feature so you would need a hub in order to print remotely.

We would also recommend, whichever model you choose, that you use the free HP Click software, which will allow you to print multiple files all at once. While the T650 and T730 models are compatible for both Windows and Mac Users, all Mac Users need to install the HP Click software in order to print with the T650 series. All printers include a free set of starter inks and automatic cutter and will allow you to print on media up to 280gsm in weight. The printers also offer a single long life printhead.

The new design of the front panel is extremely intuitive and user-friendly, offering useful video-quality instructions on how to change inks/paper/printheads and also offers a true print preview before you print so that it makes it very simple and easy to use for anyone in the office! 

Key reasons why the T650 and T730 models ticks the box for most users:

• Both include their own stand, roll cover and A3 & A4 sheet feeder (T730 sheet feeder offers manual switching, T650 offers automatic switching)
• At 100 prints per month the parts that wear and tear with use will last approximately 5 years with the T730 and for the T650 2.5 years
• Choice of ink cartridge sizes (80ml/38ml for the T650 and 130ml/300ml for the T730)
• Print speed 25 secs/A1 page
• Single long-life Print Head
• Simple and Easy to use - very intuitive
• 2 years manufacturer’s warranty
• Wi-Fi enabled

Key Optional Extra’s

You can purchase a spare spindle for ease of swapping over different types or sizes of media.

You can also purchase a USB 3.0 Gigabit LAN adapter

Warranty Money-Saving Tip!

You can also extend your free manufacturer's warranty to 3, 4 or 5 years cover. This will lift the 'best effort response' provided normally with the manufacturer's warranty to a next business day onsite response. This is actually the cheapest way of covering your printer longer term, but be aware that the extended warranties must be purchased within the first 90 days of purchasing the printer, otherwise you lose the opportunity to take out this cover. 

Key Differences between the T650 and T730 models

The DesignJet T730 offers a more robust design, capable of lasting twice as long as the T650 model e.g. at 100 prints per month the components in the T730 that wear and tear with use would last 5 years but for the T650 would last 2.5 years.

The ink cartridge sizes are larger in size for the T730 (130ml or 300ml) therefore the price is cheaper per ml of ink. By comparison the inks in the T650 are more expensive but they are smaller in size (38ml or 80ml black inks and 29ml colour inks) which makes them ideal for customers with really small print volumes.