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"MIght as well purchase a $400 HP LaserJet instead!"
on by sinclaircohenPros Fast, Cheap, No Consumables except toner.
Cons Buggy PostScript emulation, color misregistration, $600 cost to replace all toner carts is high, only prints on lightweight stock, 600 dpi print quality poor, fattens-up thin fonts.
Summary You may as well buy a $400 HP LaserJet instead of this $800 model, then throw it away when toner replacement is required, since cartridges are $150 each.
No amount of manual alignment will provide perfect color registration, as the paper handling system is too simple. I need to use its PostScript emulation mode, which unfortunately causes erratic problems. The same files printed to my Xerox 8500 using 'real' Adobe PostScript Level 3 work perfectly. "EPS" graphic colors on my pages are never registered 'right-on'!
The 3800's color matching is also poor. This is NOT the machine for a graphic artist! The printer insists on 'calibrating' its 4 colors each time it wakes from "Sleep" mode or is turned on. This is annoying and noisy and uses-up toner and isn't necessary as color isn't that perfect anyway!
HP's tech support has slipped, I receive "boilerplate" e-mail answers to my questions, which are useless. For example, I asked HP why I don't get pure (100%) Yellow or Cyan or Magenta when printing to the PostScript driver in CMYK mode (but instead a mixture of colors). I received a URL to an article explaining how mixing RGB colors work, which was of no value to me.
I think a Xerox 8500 solid ink printer is a much better deal than the 3800. Its 'wax' ink blocks are cheaper than HP toner, and print quality is about equal -- but the Xerox can be had for $600 and it is way better constructed and its PostScript works perfectly and better yet, it prints on very heavy cover stock. It's easy to print your own thick business cards on the Xerox. And color registration is perfect on the 8500. -
"poor quality printer that needs baby-sitting"
on by k athyPros customizable paper sizes
Cons have to feed one sheet at at time when using the manual tray, color registration is off, color dots from ink runs the lenght of the paper, slow, loud
Summary My requirements for a color printer were: excellent quality of text, multi media support, custom paper sizes. This only does the last good (I'm able to print 3.5x5 postcards to 8.5x14 legal). Got this printer in Jan 06, and am very disappointed with it. (it's May 06 now). If you want to use cardstock paper (80C/216 g/m2), you need to feed one sheet at a time in the manual tray, otherwise it'll jam. The color registration is off. It leaves a small row of colored dots on the paper. HP has replaced all 4 ink carts. three times already since Jan. It stops for a few ink impressions, but then starts again. Now HP says that this printer does not support cardstock paper. This is one of the main reasons that I purchased it. Very disppointing. Don't waste your money.
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"Horrible, poor-quality printer"
on by bellea3Pros A printer that dies and is unrepairable after less than two years of light use has no "pros"
Cons Terrible print quality, jams often, doesn't accept custom paper sizes easily
Summary I had constant problems with this printer, and then it died and was unrepairable after less than two years of extremely light home office use. I only changed the black ink cartridge once and never changed the color cartridges - that's how little I used it. Yet I had constant problems with jammed paper, bad color registration, and streaky ink smudges. Printing on any size other than 8.5x11 was a gigantic hassle. Then one day I tried to take out the black ink cartridge (because it kept smudging) and couldn't get it back in. Turns out, there was a little wire sticking out that was, according to the repair person, part of the frame, which can't even be ordered as a replacement part (so it was unfixable at any cost). TOTAL waste of money! Stay far, far away from this printer (and maybe any HP, if this piece of junk is any indication).
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"Don't buy this one!"
on by karenbullPros Great color when it works.
Cons Rollers mark all paper, jams easily, very frustrating!
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"Don't buy this printer"
on by dmarie206Pros Good Print quality. Toner last long time
Cons Toner expensive. Had printer 2 years. Went to change toner, toner cartridge wouldn't seat in printer. Found out drive assembly shot & had $300+ price tag to fix. Unacceptable to me for a printer only 2 yrs old! Also, this model discontinued..Why?
Summary The printer worked beautifully while it worked. It gave crisp vibrant color images. Even though cartridges are expensive, they lasted a long time. However, after having the printer only 2 years, the toner cartridge drive assembly went out. It's not worth paying $300+ to repair..which means I have to purchas a new printer. In additon, I have a very expensive ($165.00) cartridge I can't use on my hands. I've also learned that this particular model has been discontinued. My question is why --after only 2 years in production? Did HP know there was a design flaw? I would not recommend buying this printer even if you find it cheap. If you do decide to buy it, make sure you purchase the extended warranty.
HP Color LaserJet 3800 user reviews
Quick Specifications
- Printer Type Workgroup printer - Laser - Color
- Max Media Size (Standard) A4 (8.25 in x 11.7 in) Legal (216 x 356 mm) Legal (8.5 in x 14 in) A4 (210 x 297 mm)
- Connectivity technology Wired
- Max speed 21 ppm 22 ppm
- Max Resolution ( Color ) 600 dpi x 600 dpi
- Printer / Interface USB
- Dimensions (WxDxH) 15.7 in x 17.7 in x 15.7 in
