HP Photosmart C7280

By Zennith Geisler on 29/10/2007

More HP reviews , RRP: AU$449.00

Description:

HP's Photosmart C7280 is an all-in-one printer with an automated photo tray, double-sided print capability, built-in wireless and Ethernet connectivity.

Users' rating:

7.5/10

CNET.com.au's editors haven't yet reviewed the HP Photosmart C7280. Please add your opinion about the HP Photosmart C7280 below.

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marting456
12/10/2008, 12:27 PM

rating
3
/10

I would not recommend it to someone who is not at least on the level of able to build custom PCs. The software is extremely buggy and difficult to get working. I tried both XP and Vista. Vista is better. XP is nearly impossible. I work as a software engineer and would say that a novice user would spend days if not weeks on the phone with customer support. I would recommend Canon. So far had a much better experience with them. This was my first HP product and probably the last one.

Pros: Ok print/scan quality.

Cons: Software installation is very difficult. Lots of bugs. HP are apparently aware of this but did nothing to fix it via online upgrades. How difficult is it to package a piece of software so that it would actually work? The printer is useless without good software connection.

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peter marker
26/08/2008, 01:57 PM

rating
1
/10

If you want good print quality, this is NOT the printer you want. Absolutely shocking quality. Even the guy in Harvey Norman was shocked when I compared the print quality of this machine with the quality from an old HP 1210 model (a $50 printer!!).

Pros: None. Absolute rubbish machine

Cons: Setting up was difficult. You need to manually add a HP printer to your PC. Print quality os very very poor.

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furrygreen
15/08/2008, 11:25 PM

rating
9
/10

Does everything you need. A little slow to start up, but once it's going it fires out the pages super quick. Don't install the bloatware, just install the drivers from HP.

Pros: Ethernet, Duplex print, MediaCard reader (I've thrown out my other ones now). Cheap with $100 cash back, now >$250. Easy to set up with lots of warnings about firewalls and the like.

Cons: On my Vista laptop the software & drivers run fine for ethernet printing. On my XP workstation there's a known bug with the 'HP Network Devices Support' service that maxes out the CPU every time you reboot. Solution found was to switch the service from Auto to Manual. When you google this problem there's lots of people out there that have been given the run around by HP support to solve it.

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changed66
06/08/2008, 05:40 AM

rating
5
/10

installed printer with no problem using the latest install package from HP's website. I have issues printing double sided when the printer is networked. you get an error message saying the duplexer isn't installed. you click print and it prints double sided. I think it is a bug in the driver. I found one reference about this from a UK website

Pros: wireless capabilities.

Cons: HP tech support to resolve the error message when printing in duplex. no resolution and they run through level 1 script

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dtohjam
27/07/2008, 08:07 PM

rating
9
/10

This seems to be the multi-multi of all-in-one printers, scanners, faxes, copiers and tea kettles. The unit is easy to set up (only tried with Mac OS-X) and the basic functions are very easy to set up and get functioning. However, for the non computer tweaker, it can see a bit too much. The unit comes with its own web server, so you can interface with the unit via the "device manager" software supplied, directly thru the driver setups, or via a web page, or via the direct buttons on the machine. It has all connection interfaces you'd ever want, parallel, usb, internet, wireless, bluetooth, and you can direct plug in your camera, or camera memory stick. The on-board colour instruction screen will also double a preview screen to allow dirct printing without a computer. Two paper trays are included to dedicated photo paper and regular paper.

Pros: Very versitile, will connect to all modern operating systems, Apple, Linux, Win, via every means you may ever want, or will operate stand alone. Excellent text print quality.

Cons: Slow to start up on printing. Can be too much for anyone who wants a simple fax, printer, scanner.

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tester123
03/07/2008, 12:40 PM

rating
8
/10

I am using this device wirelessly with Linux, and it has worked great. In fact works better and simpler with Linux than it does with XP (there is a tremendous amount of bloat with the Windows software provided - it's quite rediculous) Haven't used the fax functionality, but everything has been working great. Had it for about 6 months now. I wish color reproduction with the scanner was a little better, but if that is really important, one should probably get a dedicated scanner.

Pros: Simple and fast functionality with Linux. Webscan is awesome for quick scans of documents.

Cons: Bloated XP software drivers and utilities. Not the best color reproduction with scanner. The thing takes some time to clean / prepare ink heads every time it is started.

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Jam
15/04/2008, 02:55 AM

rating
10
/10

Can't go wrong with this one! Everything is good!!!!

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TB
15/04/2008, 02:51 AM

rating
10
/10

Excellent printer. Easy to setup. Streamline, stable, fast, has everything. Good overall.

Pros: Function, quality, accuracy. Very easy to setup. Double-sided, excellent. Fast.

Cons: Warranty could be better. A little expensive. Doesn't print CD/DVDs. Small feeder. The output tray could be redesigned for better paper output handling. Software gives weird connectivity signals on networked PC/Laptops. Double-sided photocopying?

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Tom
26/03/2008, 05:50 PM

rating
9
/10

amazing! Very good quality printer.

Pros: amazing! Very good quality printer.

Cons: CD management in background use to much of memory and resource in the computer
about 18%

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williamstlj530
14/11/2007, 11:44 AM

rating
10
/10

The Print Quality of this printer and Picture Quality is amazing. I also rate this a 9 on being user friendly on getting it going and operating. It did take some time, although I have little to no experience with this sort of thing and got it hooked up to my desktop via USB and my wifes laptop via wireless fairly easily. It is also simple to operate.

Pros: Easy to operate and Install.Attractive looking (doesn't look like certain options were an afterthought).

Cons: A little pricey in my opinion. $254 at Best Buy. I do however feel it was honest price compared to other printers and their options. It is little noisy.

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