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- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 58 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
2.5 stars
"Think twice about this inexpensive multifunction"
Pros: +Good print quality +Controls are easy to use +Simple setup +Quiet +Compact
Cons: -Paper feed is ridiculous -No individual ink tanks -HP tech support is a joke -No apparent power save timer -Included software is slow
Summary: I bought this all-in-one to replace my Epson Stylus 740 and Canon Canoscan N124U, both of which worked great, I just needed the extra space on my desk. This PSC model was the answer to my space dilemma, it's very compact and looks good too. But you should consider looking elsewhere for an above average multifunction printer.
The worst problem this printer suffers from is the fact that the paper feed and output tray are the same. A completed page falls right on top of the unprinted paper. Although I have not had any major misfeeds, the printer has occasionally sucked a completed page back into the printer. Without the paper catcher deployed (the extendable tip of the paper tray) pages tend to shoot across the room, literally. The printer has to eject pages so hard to keep them from being sucked back into the printer that it will shoot off of my desk.
I was also disappointed to find out that HP has not started using individual ink tanks in their entry level printers like other manufacturers have. The advantage of individual color ink tanks versus one tri-color ink tank is that you don't have to replace all of the colors if just one dries up. But I don't blame HP for sticking with tri-color, that's how they make their money.
An interesting feature of this printer is the 5 different memory card slots for picture printing. I fail to see this as a practical solution for photo printing, considering you have to print a proof sheet if you don't directly hook up your camera to the pictbridge port, but it's definitely fun for the casual use.
But I do love the way HP has an easy to use control panel. Everything is clearly labeled and grouped accordingly. The display has an adjustable angle and is easy to read. The printer even has the capability to display basic help information on the screen. A warning to users who like to leave their printer on all the time: the green backlight on the display does not shut off. It's on ALL the time and has no apparent power save feature. To most this would be no big deal, but I find it to be really annoying.
If you plan on relying on tech support to help you get this up and running, be wary. HP tech support is helpful for simple setup issues, not technical problems.
So far the HP Image Zone has worked well with Mac OS 10.3.9. I preferred Canon's software, but HP's still does the job. For no apparent reason there is a 10 second delay before scanning. I'm not sure how the software will work when I upgrade to Tiger, but my other Tiger computer has not faired so well in its battle with an HP Officejet 6110xi (all-in-one).
For the casual use, this printer brings enough to the table in order to be a solid multifunction printer, but fails to impress. HP makes good looking multifunction printers, but what good is a nice looking hunk of plastic if the looks don't match in performance and execution? You will be better off purchasing Canon or Epson as your next multifunction. I know I will.
- 1 reply to this review
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Was using HP PSC 2175xi AIO for a few years what a mess, HPAIOScrubber ?, I am a home user with no major functions, HP1610 is not the big monster HP2175 was but as a home user it is great, just what I need. Easy to use, low noise. Design outstanding.
