11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Disappointing
Date of Review: Mar 24, 2006
The Bottom Line: I recommend HP fix the not really 600dpi vertical problem and redo software for 800x600 use. If they do that, then buy this printer, if they don't, then don't buy.
Up front it seems HP is being responsive to customer backlash against having to pay for a new printhead everytime the ink runs out on an inkjet printer.
Doesn't seem like a plastic toy. It really prints with authority. Surprising for any of today's inkjets. At 300dpi it is blazingly fast, at 600dpi it is still fast. Design scheme is great if it really delivers on lower ink costs.
The paper tray is laser style so it doesn't have the ease of feeding different paper stock which is normally associated with an inkjet. Plain paper is only 600dpi but premium paper has to be selected to get to 1200dpi. Just selecting inkjet paper won't do it. The serious problem is that the 600x600 really prints as though it is 600x300. Lines are easily visible, comparing to other printers at 300dpi I think HP isn't really on the up and up about it really being 600 dpi vertical. For this issue alone the printer is being returned. Also, the driver (running w2k) is written for a minimum display res of 1024x768. Every time the printer screen pops up the print button at the bottom can not be selected on a 800x600 screen unless the window is moved and even then it is barely selectable. This is the kind of poor engineering which is difficult to uncover before purchasing. As a sophisticated, technically savvy buyer it is the kind of thing which brings up personal feelings toward the perpetrator (HP) for making me feel downright foolish that I bought their product. I won't be fooled again.
