HP Photosmart D5360 review

The one feature of interest on the D5360 is the ability to print directly on specially coated CDs and DVDs. You'll have to install the Roxio Express Labeler software that comes on a disc that's included with the printer, as well as purchase the inkjet-printable discs (one is included). To print a disc, you'll need to use the special CD/DVD holder that's stashed in the input tray. The disc feed tray folds down from above the output tray. You can use the Roxio software to print discs, DVD case inserts, and jewel case inserts. For discs, you can use text or images and customize them by resizing or moving them around within the print area. You can find more information in the Features section of the HP Photosmart C5280 review.

Performance
We haven't reviewed many $100 printers lately, as the price structure has changed, such that $100 can get you an inkjet multifunction device. Compared to the Canon Pixma iP6310D that we reviewed last winter, the HP fared well. The Photosmart D5360 scored 5.53 pages per minute when printing text, a lot faster than the iP6310D's mere 1.44 pages per minute. The HP also came out on top with color graphics printing, with a score of 2.10 pages per minute. And it improved slightly over the Canon's speed with 4x6 photo prints, with a score of 0.61 page per minute. Sounds great, right? On a whim, we compared the HP's scores to those of the Canon Pixma MP470, a $100 multifunction printer. The HP was a touch faster with text prints, but fell behind on 4x6 photo prints. Interesting.

CNET Labs Inkjet Printer Performance (in pages per minute)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Photo

Graphics

Text

HP Photosmart D5360

0.61 

2.1 

5.53 

Canon Pixma MP470

0.81 

2.1 

5.45 

Canon Pixma iP6310D

0.46 

1.57 

1.44 

The HP Photosmart D5360's print quality wasn't terribly impressive. The text prints showed wicking and fuzzy edges--definitely good enough for most home uses, but we wouldn't use it to print resumes. The color graphics print showed decent color reproduction, but all the color blocks were marred by graininess, reverse text prints (white text on a colored background) became illegible quickly, and the printer had problems handling barcode patterns. Finally, we found the 4x6 photos bland: The colors didn't pop, we saw lots of compression in the dark end of the grayscale and noticed muddled details in shadow areas, and again, color blocks were beset by distracting graininess. As in the speed tests, we were more impressed by the print quality of the Canon Pixma MP470 multifunction.

CNET Labs Inkjet Printer Quality
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Photo

Graphics

Text

Canon Pixma MP470

2 

4 

4 

Canon Pixma iP6310D

3 

3 

3 

HP Photosmart D5360

2 

2 

3 

Service and support
HP backs the Photosmart C5360 with a standard one-year warranty. Toll-free phone support is available 24-7, or you can chat live online with tech support, also 24-7. HP's site has drivers, software downloads, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides, as well.