Strengths: Great value, lots of features, excellent print quality, good software, easy setup.

Weaknesses: No manual feed paper slot. Drivers seem sluggish to pop-up or change tabs. Only one paper tray.

Summary: The HP Color LaserJet CM1312nfi MFP (CC431A) is a remarkable product. HP has managed to improve the print quality with its new ColorSphere engine/toner while significantly lowering the cost. That makes it an exceptional value.The print quality is excellent. Colors are vivid. Black is very good and readable even with 6pt fonts. The print is not flat but has a slight gloss (on laser paper) that looks professionally printed. Print on glossy paper has more shine as you would expect. Other than paper, the 4 toner cartridges are the only consumables. There are no image transfer belts like older color laser printers to buy. Flip open the front cover, slide out a draw and you see 4 slots to drop each cartridge in. It could not be easier. I can?t see going back to inkjet. There are no print heads to dry out or clog, and the pages are smug-proof. I poured some water on a page and wiped it off with only a little curling but the image looked great.Easy to use. The control panel is very well designed. Its well organized, clearly labeled, with no confusing little icons. The LCD display is very readable and can be angled forward as needed. For example, for Copying there are only 3 buttons: 1 to copy color, 1 to copy bw, and a copy menu button for greater control. Most of the time you simple put the page into the feeder and press either copy color or copy black, that?s it. You can individually adjust the volume of sounds for: Alarm, Ring, Key Press, and Phone Line. So it operates well in a noisy or quiet environment. (Sorry, no setting your own ring tones)Easy Set Up. Lifting the device to put it in place is the hardest part. I recommend that most people to get someone to help. The setup directions are easy to follow. If the booklet seems vague, then install the software, it has a more detailed step-by-step guild. For many, the booklet will be adequate.Network Set Up is really easy. The cool thing about this printer is an unadvertised feature when connected via the network - it contains its own web site. Using your browser enter its assigned IP address and you get total access to the printer. You can see (and edit) all the configuration information, toner levels, statistics, reports, and more. I love this feature.NOTE: If you are using the network connection and have security software, like Norton Internet Security, be sure to add the printers IP address and software to the allowed list. That should speed up communications with the printer.The Fax works well and is easy to set up. Transmission times appear to be fast. You can fax from your PC by simply printing to ?CM1312 Series Fax? device. No need to print then scan to fax. Speed dial numbers can be added at the control panel or from your PC. I recommend doing it from your PC so you can type in names, otherwise you will feel like you are at a giant cell phone trying to add names with a number pad. You know the drill press, press 7 four times to get an ?s?. Use the PC, its faster.The Automatic Document Feeder worked well and makes Faxing and Copying multiple pages a snap. Scanning works well and you can scan directly to your PC or a front loading memory card.Photo printing seems to work well too. Just remove your memory card from your camera and insert it into one of the four slots in the front. The printer automatically scans the card and you can page through the images on the LCD display. Select the image and print.Paper handing appears to be the only real weakness that I can see. There is no manual feed slot, so you must pull out the tray, put the single sheet in, and push the tray in. Fortunately, the tray opens and closes easily. It handles all types and sizes (4x6 to legal) of paper but thickness is limited to about 7.5 mil. So cardstock is out and thick glossy 9 mil paper too. But the 7.5mil glossy is plenty thick for most needs, including snapshot printing. I think thickness is limited because the paper must take a couple of sharp turns.Some reviews have stated that the print speed is slower than average but acceptable. I would agree but given the low price and the other features the speed does not bother me. I also think faster print speeds would use more energy. It uses 300 Watts when printing, 310W when copying, 8W when sleeping, and 0W when off. It takes 5 seconds to recover from ready/sleep.Since I have only had this printer a short time I don?t know about reliability or how much the cost per page really is. HP claims the new ColorSphere technology is cheaper. Calculating the cost will be easy, this printer tracks and can report EVERYTHING! Number of pages, what type, and colors used.So far, I?m very happy with this printer.