The HP Designjet T1700dr has been a workhorse in CAD, GIS and reprographics workflows since its original release, and it remains widely available refurbished and new through 2026. This dual-roll 44-inch pigment-ink plotter targets architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) offices that print detailed line drawings, renderings and maps daily. In this review we cover the full specifications, current 2026 pricing, YouTube and Reddit user feedback, pros, cons, and the smartest times of year to buy. Recommendations are based on manufacturer specifications, expert reviews and publicly available user discussion, not first-hand lab testing.
Quick Answer: Yes, if your team needs unattended dual-roll printing, PostScript accuracy and 6-color pigment output for CAD and renderings. No, if you only print occasional posters or need a compact office plotter — a single-roll T1700 or a smaller T230/T650 will save money and space.
1.1 Core Specs
1.2 What's in the Box
1.3 Technical Highlights
2. Price & Value Analysis
2.1 Current Pricing (2026)
The T1700dr launched around $9,995 USD. In 2026, new units typically list between $7,500 and $9,200 through authorized HP resellers, while certified refurbished models are commonly listed between $4,800 and $6,500. Toner and ink cost roughly $80–$110 per 300 ml cartridge, and OEM roll media averages $60–$120 per roll depending on weight and coating. You can compare live prices on ShopFox across major B2B and office-supply retailers.
2.2 Is It Worth Buying?
For AEC firms printing 20+ large sheets weekly, the T1700dr pays for itself in reclaimed operator time within 12–18 months versus a single-roll plotter. Its Adobe PostScript engine renders complex PDFs from Revit, AutoCAD and ArcGIS without RIP surprises, and pigment inks give archival-grade line drawings. Casual users, however, will find the T210/T230 (24-inch) or T650 (36-inch) far more cost-effective — the T1700dr's premium is justified by dual-roll productivity and enterprise security, not print quality alone.
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3. Real User Experience
3.1 Video Reviews Summary
Print-industry YouTubers such as LexJet and Printer Guys have highlighted the T1700dr's setup as unusually smooth for a 44-inch device — the guided onboarding walks users through printhead alignment in under 40 minutes. Reviewers consistently praise the color depth of the 6-ink pigment set on renderings and note that HP Click makes ad-hoc PDF batching easy. A recurring critique across expert videos is the price of OEM ink and the absence of a built-in scanner (HP sells that as the T1700dr MFP configuration separately).
3.2 What Reddit Users Are Saying
On r/AutoCAD and r/Architects, long threads describe the T1700dr as "install-and-forget" for offices switching from Designjet T1500 or T2600 fleets. Users report reliable driver behavior on Windows 10/11 and macOS Sonoma, and appreciate the encrypted drive when handling government or defense drawings. Common complaints revolve around occasional printhead clogs after long idle periods and the cost of the maintenance cartridge. A frequent tip: run a nozzle check weekly if the printer sits idle to avoid pigment settling.
3.3 Key User Feedback Themes
4. Performance & Everyday Use
In daily AEC workflows, the T1700dr behaves like a networked office appliance — jobs queue over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, PostScript rendering happens onboard, and dual rolls let you keep bond paper on one spindle and coated presentation paper on the other. Warm-up is under a minute from sleep, and the 4.3-inch touchscreen surfaces error states clearly. Below are editor-assigned research-based ratings (not aggregated user scores):
Ratings above are research-based editorial judgments, not user survey data.
5. Pros & Cons
- 2400 x 1200 dpi with 6-color pigment inks for crisp CAD and renders
- Native Adobe PostScript 3 and PDF 1.7 rendering onboard
- Self-encrypting 500 GB drive for secure document workflows
- Solid Windows/macOS driver support with HP Click batching
- Compatible with a wide range of HP media types up to 44 inches
- Bulky footprint requires dedicated floor space
- Prone to printhead clogs after long idle periods
- No built-in scanner (MFP is a separate SKU)
6. Best Time to Buy
6.1 Historical Price Trends
Large-format plotter pricing tends to move on a quarterly cycle tied to HP's fiscal calendar (November–January) and channel resellers' end-of-quarter clearance. Historically, the T1700dr sees its steepest discounts — sometimes $1,200–$1,800 off list — in late Q4 and around tax-season B2B promotions in February and March. Certified refurbished stock also spikes in spring as offices refresh fleets. Track the model's price history on ShopFox to identify the true floor.
6.2 Upcoming Sales Events
Watch Black Friday and Cyber Monday for reseller-driven bundles that include installation and one year of extended service. HP Amplify Partner promotions in Q1 often bundle a starter ink set or an extra maintenance cartridge. Set a price alert with ShopFox to be notified when the T1700dr drops below your target threshold, and check the printers category for competing large-format deals.
7. Top Alternatives
HP Designjet T1700 (Single Roll)
Best ValueSame print engine, same 6-color pigment quality, but a single 44-inch roll. Ideal if your team doesn't need to switch media types mid-batch and you want to save roughly $1,500 versus the dr.
Canon imagePROGRAF TX-4100
Best Alternative BrandA direct competitor with a 44-inch width and optional dual-roll accessory. Strong 5-color pigment engine and a well-regarded 500 GB print server. Often cheaper on consumables than HP.
Epson SureColor T5770DM
Best MFP36-inch multifunction plotter with integrated scanner. Slightly smaller print width, but adds scan-to-PDF and copy features — a compelling all-in-one for smaller AEC studios.
How We Researched This Review
This review is based on HP's published specifications, expert reviews from print-industry publications and YouTube channels, discussion threads on r/AutoCAD, r/Architects and print-focused forums, and publicly available reseller pricing gathered in September 2026. We did not perform first-hand lab testing. Editor scores reflect our comparative judgment against competing 44-inch pigment plotters, and all pricing is presented as an indicative range rather than a specific quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HP Designjet T1700dr still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for CAD, GIS and technical printing teams that need dual-roll productivity, 2400 x 1200 dpi accuracy and secure workflows. It is not the newest platform, but HP still ships firmware and PostScript updates through 2026, and refurbished units under $6,000 make the value proposition strong for offices printing dozens of large-format sheets per week.
What is the difference between the T1700 and T1700dr?
The base T1700 has a single 44-inch roll. The T1700dr adds a second roll with automatic switching, letting you load two paper sizes or media types simultaneously. For architects and engineers running mixed batches of A1 and A0 sheets or bond and coated media, the dr version saves significant reloading time and reduces waste from wrong-size prints.
How much does it cost to run per print?
Cost per A1 line drawing is commonly estimated at $0.30–$0.55 in ink and media using OEM 300 ml cartridges and standard bond paper. Full-coverage renderings on coated paper can push $1.50–$3.00 per A1. Third-party media reduces cost but may affect HP's ICC profiles. Bulk-buying 6-cartridge ink sets during Q4 sales lowers cost per print by 10–15%.
Does the T1700dr support macOS Sonoma and Windows 11?
Yes. HP maintains current drivers and PostScript print pipelines for Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS 12–14. AirPrint is supported for ad-hoc mobile printing, and HP Click provides drag-and-drop PDF batching across both platforms. Enterprise users can deploy via HP Universal Print Driver and manage the fleet with HP Web Jetadmin.
Can I use third-party ink cartridges?
Technically yes, but HP's firmware includes cartridge authentication that may warn or restrict non-OEM cartridges. Third-party pigment inks can also void warranty coverage and may not match HP's ICC profiles, leading to color drift on renderings. For color-critical AEC or GIS work, most users stick to OEM. For internal drafts, some shops accept the tradeoff to save 30–40%.
How reliable is it for high-volume printing?
Reddit threads and reseller service reports describe the T1700dr as dependable in offices printing 300–800 A1 sheets per month. The 500 GB self-encrypting drive queues jobs efficiently, and the printheads are user-replaceable. Common maintenance items are the maintenance cartridge (every 6–12 months) and periodic nozzle cleaning if the printer sits idle for extended periods.
What is the warranty and service coverage?
HP typically ships the T1700dr with a one-year on-site limited warranty for new units. Extended HP Care Pack options extend coverage to three or five years with next-business-day on-site response and are often bundled by authorized resellers in Q4. Certified refurbished units usually include a 90-day to 12-month warranty depending on the seller.
Should I buy new or refurbished in 2026?
Refurbished T1700dr units from HP-authorized channels are a strong 2026 value, often 35–45% below new pricing with a limited warranty. If your workflow depends on the printer daily, a new unit with a Care Pack minimizes downtime risk. For lower-volume backup or secondary devices, refurbished with a service contract is usually the smarter spend.
Conclusion
The HP Designjet T1700dr in 2026 remains one of the most dependable dual-roll pigment plotters for AEC, GIS and reprographics environments. Its onboard PostScript engine, secure encrypted storage and predictable line accuracy justify the premium over single-roll plotters for teams that print daily. Its weaknesses — expensive consumables, a bulky footprint and idle-clog sensitivity — are manageable with a service contract and a modest weekly maintenance routine. If you are shopping this quarter, use ShopFox to compare authorized resellers, monitor price history, and set an alert for Q4 promotions before committing to your fiscal purchase.
The Verdict
Recommended for architecture, engineering, construction and GIS teams that print 20+ large sheets weekly and need dual-roll flexibility. Skip it for casual poster printing or low-volume offices — a T1700 single-roll or a 36-inch T650 will serve you better at a lower total cost.
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