-
"Returned it" on by StJamesG8
Pros: Good overall print quality
Cons: Page contamination (gray backgrounds)
Summary: Knowing quality inkjets are usually a better choice than color lasers, I was in Staples the other day, saw the 1600 at a discounted price, so got it. The first 50 or so pages looked great, but as I kept printing (using the correct color laser paper), I began seeing the same gray page background many others have complained about that makes the pages appear dirty. I used the cleaning utility as well as the fuser clean utility, tried changing some Print Quality settings at the suggestion of HP, but nothing helped. I also tried a different laser paper. I ended up printing about 100 pages and compared the first to the last printed page. The last one simply looks dirty in comparison. I also began noticing a faint vertical line on each side of the pages, positioned about 1/8" in from the edges, with the very edge of the pages a little "dirtier" than the rest. I could really see the difference when placing a clean, unprinted page beside one that's been printed. I feel I did everything I could do....or at least willing to do but couldn't get it to print a clean page after the first 50.
Bottom line is it was returned. And it's a shame because overall print quality is quite good. Had it not been for this dirty page problem, I'd have kept it and given it a much higher rating.Updated
I'd like to add that I've been to three local stores that have the 1600, 2600n, and 3600n on display, printed the sample pages from each one in all three stores, and every one printed the same dirty-looking page backgrounds without fail. Some were so bad, it appeared as a marble effect. I ran 15 cleaning cycles on a couple of them and the darkness of the gray backgrounds improved, but still looked dirty. This is an ongoing complaint from owners on the HP color laser forum. It seems if you have one that doesn't print these dirty backgrounds, you're very lucky. -
"Reasonably priced color LASER printer" on by Wolfie2k5
Pros: Price. Very nice color output
Cons: Expensive toner. No Vista compatible drivers - yet.
Summary: For the price, this printer is a winner. Office Depot had a special on them about a week or so ago. They discounted the printer by $100 US and there was a $50 rebate on top - effectively cutting the net price to $149.99.
The output is simply stunning for a 600x600 dpi printer. It blows the doors off my HP Laserjet 5L which is also 600x600 dpi - and it's in color!
The only downside to this printer is the cost of toner. At about $45 per color, the price adds up quickly unless you can find a reasonably cheap source.
At this point, the printer doesn't have any drivers that work with Windows Vista 100% properly. Of course, this is the case with most all other HP printers. -
"Great home office printer" on by DavidSSutton
Pros: High-quality output, especially color photos
Cons: Slow printing of documents with many photos
Summary: I'm a Realtor who got tired of paying Kinko's 95 cents a copy for color flyers, and this is definitely filling the bill (I've had it for about two months).
My flyers are full of color photos, so it doesn't do anywhere near the 8 ppm claimed...I just timed my current flyer and it is 1.2 ppm.
At this time I don't see much discounting of the toner cartridges (currently $82 at the big office supply chains) but as it gets more users I assume that will come. For years I bought remanufactured inkjet cartridges from 123InkJets but they do not yet have anything for this printer.
One handy feature for me is the (manual) duplex (two-sided) printing. I assume it will handle multiple page duplex, but I haven't needed that yet.
My only problem was some bad streaking and spotting, but after 45 minutes of on-line chat with HP tech support, and four aligning and three cleaning cycles, it's fine. Now I'll clean it before it needs it. BTW the cleaning cycle you originate from the "toolbox" (s/b on the desktop after you install the software)is different and better than the clean cycle you originate from the machine itself.
One last complaint. The status LCD is so small and such lousy contrast (and yes it's adjustable but not to anything that really improves readability) that I have to get a flashlight to read it.
All in all, I would definitely buy it again -
"For the money!" on by Damius16
Pros: Really Cheap
Cons: Well, cheap...
Summary: Ok, I hate reviews about this printer. I work with this printer on a REGULAR basis and let me tell you, it's not half as bad as people make it out to be. Yes, it's cheap, and no the print quality isn't there all the time. Some people may or may not experience the same issues with this printer as others do. What I want ALL the people who've complained about this printer to do is ask themselves this one question, for what I paid for this LASER printer, is it worth what I paid for it. The answer, if you compare a few prices here or there, is yes. Look at it this way, everyone here is comparing this printer to their inkjet. How much do you pay for an inkjet, as low as 100$ in some cases. What type of page yeild do you get with an inkjet, no 2000 pages I'll tell you that. You pay $300 for a cheap laser printer and you expect it to work the same as a $800 to $1000 printer, well you're fooling yourself. You all should know by now that you don't get something for nothing. You pay $300 for a color laserjet printer, you get $300 worth of quality out of it. Seriously, you complain about getting ripped off, even if I paid for this printer I wouldn't feel ripped off, I wouldn't buy it cause I'd know that cheap means cheap. You buy a $600 car, don't be surprised if it runs like a $600 car. Granted sometimes you get deals, and Hp is a great brand, and you would expect better from them, but keep in mind, how much does $300 buy you these days? Not much. Don't expect much, it's a $300 printer; less even.
-
"An unbelievable ripoff - totally dishonest" on by Douglas R. White
Pros: It worked fine until the first color cartridge ran out
Cons: then it lied and said the second was done too, then the third
Summary: This is the most dishonest cartridge replacement policy I have ever seen. These last two cartridges costing $82 each WERE NOWHERE NEAR EMPTY. They have put over as fast one on the unwitting customer. I am going to file a consumer class action lawsuit against these thieves! HP FOR SHAME! I thought you were better than that!
Write a Review
Online Stores
| Store | Promotions | In Stock | Price | Total Cost | Initial Sort Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MicroParts.com | No | Yes | Tax: TBD Ship: TBD | $118.72 Shop Now | |
| See all prices | |||||
