CNET editors' take
- Published on: 12/09/2009
HP's "lunchbox" photo printer churns out borderless glossies as large as 5x7 inches.
(Credit: HP)At this time of year, when the parties are nonstop and the shutterbugs are out in full force, nothing beats a photo printer. I've used one for years; they're great for churning out snapshots wherever and whenever you want.
A high-end model that normally sells for $150, HP's Photosmart A646, is on sale for $79.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code SVMY478761 once you get it into your shopping cart.
Also, that's two-day shipping, not the usual pokey 5-15 business days. Something to consider if you're scrambling for holiday gifts.
The A646 accepts SD, XD, and Memory Stick media, though you can also connect any PictBridge-compatible camera or even a USB flash drive. (It works with PCs, too, natch.)
Got Bluetooth? The A646 does, meaning you can wirelessly print photos from your phone. Sweet!
The printer sports a 3.5-inch touch screen for previewing your pix and adding creative elements like borders, clip art, and captions. It can crank out borderless prints as large as 5x7 inches.
CNET hasn't reviewed the Photosmart A646, but PC World has. They liked its versatility and feature set, but were less wild about the print quality. (I tend to find that very subjective.)
Ultimately, printers like these are just plain fun. Do keep in mind the ink costs, however: HP's 110 tricolor cartridges list for $23.99, but you can find them for as low as $19--less if you're willing to go the remanufactured route.
Backup deal: Today only, Staples has Norton Internet Security 2010 (one-user) for $9.99 shipped. It's normally $49.99. There's a mail-in rebate involved, and it nets you a prepaid Visa card, not a check. (I like the cards better, frankly.) In my experience, Staples' "easy rebates" do live up to their name.
Where to buy
HP PhotoSmart A646:
$92.74 - $149.98
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$92.74 | Yes |
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$99.99 | Yes |
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$99.68 | Yes |
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$99.99 | Yes |
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$99.99 | Yes |
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