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There's no doubt, the Designjet 1050 plotter was a wildly successful model for HP. After all, tens of thousands of them were sold and installed throughout the United States during the early to mid-2000s.
Unbelievably, there are still a ton of those units still in the field and in use today. That fact is certainly a testament to the build quality of the 1050 series, but, that model has reached the end of its effectiveness and usefulness in the modern workplace.
If you still have one, there is a good chance that you are experiencing the law of diminishing returns firsthand. So, upgrading it for newer technology is a no-brainer. Learn why.
Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding your old HP 1050c plotter.
See the new Canon plotters that are perfect upgrades for the HP 1050 printer
End-of-Life
HP hasn't manufactured the 1050c for many years.
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Parts support is essentially dead. The only replaceable parts available are expensive aftermarket parts, counterfeit, or old parts simply scavenged from the carcasses of other HP 1050s. This can result in costing you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to keep your old beast alive.
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HP no longer provides any direct support. You will have to look at third-party options. The downside is that more than likely, an official HP dealer will not be able to help you. The only option may be through an unsupported company specializing in used and/or salvage equipment.
Software updates and OS upgrades are a killer
Software support is another area greatly affected by the end-of-life status of the 1050c plotter.
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New drivers have not been developed for years. So, the legacy HP cannot grow with you when you upgrade Operating Systems.
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Sparse software support has also led to problems with further development regarding Postscript.
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Some BIM applications can have problems printing large, complex files to the 1050.
It’s all about the ink
In addition to the hardware and software woes of the HP 1050c plotter, some pain is being felt regarding supplies. After all, this is where the printer manufacturers make their money.
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Several price increases have happened on HP 1050 ink through the years. According to primary supply and demand theory, these prices will only increase as these old units become less numerous in the field. This affects the overall operational costs of the unit.
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Due to the vast number of units that are still in service, HP will most likely continue to produce ink and print heads but look for the prices to continue to increase as time goes on.
Usability Concerns
Since the HP 1050c is over 15 years old, the technology is nowhere near the cutting-edge power of today's large-format printers. Users can expect to have issues when printing from newer applications.
- The onboard processor is not capable of handling the complexities of some larger, more modern files produced by some applications such as Revit, ESRI GIS, etc.
- Large files can crash it and force the user to reboot.
- The HP plotter is extremely slow by today’s standards.
HP 1050c vs Canon TM-305 - By the Numbers
| Model | HP 1050c | Canon TM-305 |
| Year Introduced | 2001 | 2018 |
| Width | 36 inches | 36 inches |
| Max Resolution | 600 x 600 dpi | 2400 x 1200 dpi |
| Memory | 64/256 MB | 2 GB |
| Hard Drive | 2 GB | 128 GB |
| Max Speed - Color | 200 square feet per hour | ~777 square feet per hour |
| Ink Type | Dye/ Pigment Black | Pigment (All Colors) |
| Number of Ink Colors | 4 (CMYK) | 5 (CMYKmK) |
| Print Head | HP-80 | PF-06 (single print head) |
| Total Print Head Nozzle Count | 2,048 nozzles | 15,360 nozzles |
| Ink Drop Size | 18pl MK/ 5pl (CMY) | 4pl (All colors) |
| Minimum Line Weight | 1 / 600" | 1 / 1200" |
| Print Languages | HP-GL/2, TIFF, CALS, G4 | SGRaster, HP-GL/2, HPRTL, JPEG, PDF |
| Floor Space Required | 61" x 27" | 51" x 35" |
| Power Consumption | 200 watts | 69 watts |
Pictured: Canon TM-305 printer
Stop hanging on to the past
Just because it is not broken doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fix it.
In almost any case, with a legacy HP 1050 printer today, it will certainly cost you more in service and supplies than it is worth.
Plus, the 1050 HP plotter printer is crippling your workflow when it comes to day-to-day operations.
- Slow file processing - small onboard memory chips and a lifeless hard drive are why it takes a long time for your files to print. Update the technology to start printing in as short as 30 seconds.
- Expensive ink costs - although HP 1050 ink is still available, the cost per ml is quite expensive by today's standards. The old HP is not nearly as efficient as today's machines. By comparison, the new Canon TM-305 outputs 77% less ink per each Black drop.
- High power consumption - new plotter technologies, such as the Canon TM-Series, use 65% less electrical power while operating.
- Plus, replacement parts support is non-existent, and software support flatlined years ago.
You Can Count on TAVCO
In the complex landscape of AEC, you need a vendor as committed to quality and reliability as you are. TAVCO brings you just that—with high-performance tools like our durable large-format plotters, cutting-edge 3D scanners, and innovative software solutions.
We build long-term relationships fortified by unwavering support and innovative solutions that keep you ahead of the curve. Plus, when you have questions or need advice—including cost-effective options—you can always speak directly with a live TAVCO specialist, not a bot or an automated attendant.
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Ready to take the next step? Chat with a TAVCO specialist today to tailor solutions for your unique needs.
🛒 Or explore our range of products at www.tavcotech.com.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2019.
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