HP Photosmart C8180 All-in-One user reviews

Pros Built-in lightscribe, great wireless support and setup (802abg, bluetooth), touch-screen interface, compact size, fantastic photo-printing, simple cartridge management

Cons Expensive photo-printer, expensive and small ink cartridges, no ADF, No Photo-Lightscribe printing w/o USB connection

Summary I purchased this printer last week, and I'm impressed with what it's done so far.

Without any issues, I can snap a picture on my cell phone (3MP) send it to my printer (when within range) and it will automatically print a full borderless 4x6 print with excellent resolution - two clicks, no PC needed, no printer interaction required: Impressive.

This is just one of the many triumphs of this printer. I've had a plug-and-pay experience so far. Setting it up on my wireless network was a breeze. I use WPA encryption, and getting the printer to join the network was no problem. Software setup from my PC was even easier. I didn't need to know the IP and it only upgraded existing drivers and software I already had - it didn't require a full install of new HP software; this was another big point in HP's favor.

My biggest surprise was the Over-The-Air scanning capability; I configured what 'ScanTo:' buttons I wanted to show up on my printer, placed an item to be scanned on the glass and hit scan - a preview automatically popped up on my PC and asked to me confirm and set resolution for full scan - NICE.

To my surprise though, the printer offers no OTA support for photo-lightscribe printing. So while you can imprint basic Header and two sub-titles onto a disc, you'll need to be connected via USB to be able to print a full resolution greyscale image to the CD (which can take up to 15 minutes).

This is my first light-scribe device/experience and I'm a bit disappointed. The images I've printed so far, and even the simple text, looks faded and a bit washed out. While the laser burning feature is amazing (and should have been the standard years ago) I'm disappointed at the contrast resolution; the blacks aren't as truly black as they should/could be.

On the ink side, while I LOVE the new pictographic, simply front-loading ink setup, I certainly don't like the small size. This means more replacement with high-volume color printing for a cartridge that costs about the same as it's larger predecessor.

My last gripe is the lack of full functionality. I feel that the lack of an ADF as opposed to the simple flat-bed was a poor choice. Instead of making the device more versatile, it pivots it toward dedicated photographers; since it is removable, I feel HP should offer an ADF option instead of the Negatives scanner.

All-in-all, a great device that's worked very well so far. While not for the faint of pocket book, it's a definite recommend for the basic AND advanced home user.

Pros Prints really nice documents and fabulous pictures

Cons a little slow at printing wireless

Summary I was a little nervous about buying this printer because of the other reviews, but I am sure glad we did. We had taken another HP printer back to the store because we couldn't get it to work with both our desktop and laptop. We read a review about this one from another web-site and that person said to hook up the desktop by USB and that worked. It took a while to set up because the software isn't the greatest. Once the printer was up and running, it is printing with great quality and the photos are absolutely flawless. It looks like the pictures were professionally done. The machines at the photo places couldn't do a better job. Just make sure you get good quality photo paper. I also like the other features such as the copier and scanner. Probably won't use those features very much, but they are nice to have. It also scans and prints old slides which is an awsome feature. Works really well too. I really can't think of anything bad to say about this printer, except it takes a minute to print from the laptop, but I think that's pretty minor. The computer does flash the words connected and disconnected on the computer, but it hasn't affected my printing. Not sure why it does that. I really don't think that there is a PERFECT printer out there. There is always going to be something someone doesn't like about it. I guess it all depents on what features you will use the most. So far, I like printing my photos on there the best. It also has a nice tough screen on it. I haven't tried the software yet. All in all a great printer for the money. This printer does it all!!! Escecially for what we will use it for. Thanks HP

Pros Great color

Cons Poor networking and software

Summary Install and uninstall of the included software is painfully slow. Network printing has a noticeable lag. Scanning is a real pain, as it is incredibly slow and unreliable.

Pros Once setup works well

Cons mediocre print quality

Summary I bought this after researching for awhile. It replaced an old HP 1315 all-in-one, which was not reliable and quite moody (seemed to work when it felt like it). The HP 8180 was purchased at Office Max on Sale for $339.00. I had read several mixed reviews on this printer. It seemed pretty universal that it was difficult and time consuming to setup; however, read that it had successfully been setup using drivers off the internet site. I wrongly assumed that some of the others had difficulty because they had not followed directions or that I might be Tech savvy enough to accomplish this task. I was sorely wrong. It took a matter of 6 hours to install and set up 2 laptops and 2 desktops to properly use the printer. The printer initially recognized and was easily setup on my network using my WEP security code. The difficulty was installing the software drivers on the computers. After going through level 1 tech support (in Phillipines) for 3 or more hours we were transfered to level 2 Tech support and our computers were accessed remotely (in India) by tech support and finally installed after several unsuccessful attempts. My computers are all still running Windows XP, and from talking with Tech Support it is much easier to install on Windows XP than Windows Vista. I can only imagine. The program utilizes a large amount of memory as I have also noted slowing of the computers and will need to upgrade RAM. Once installed seems to work well with mwdiocre print quality. Have not tried Lightscribe, bluetooth, or burning pictures to CD as yet. I will try to update as I use the printer more. Stay Away unless really want a WiFi printer. Note: the Level 2 Tech Support stated that they were working on some of these Windows bugs. If corrected could be a great printer.