Hewlett Packard Photosmart 8450 InkJet Printer
- Black Print Speed: 20 ppm
- Color Print Speed: 20 ppm
- Output Type: Color Printer
- Technology (Detailed): Thermal Inkjet
- Printer Type: Digital Photo Printer
- Max Resolution (BW): 1200 x 1200 dpi
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Print Photos (And Other Things) Easily on the HP Photosmart 8450
Pros
Inexpensive, easy, not necessary to hook up to computer...
Cons
Very, very large, supplies somewhat expensive...
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you're looking for an easy, inexpensive, and functional photo printing system then check out the Photosmart 8450.
In an ongoing search for a relatively inexpensive way to print decent looking snapshots, I've stumbled upon the HP Photosmart 8450 printer. It's a large, space-like looking affair with slots of various sizes for paper from 8x10 down to the small 4x6 photo. It's an inexpensive, easy to use, and adaptable solution for your non-professional photo needs. Why non-professional? Well, professional photographers should and likely will still seek out more traditional methods of photo printing.
The Photosmart 8450 comes in a typical sized box but when extracted is immediately obtrusive. If I must complain about one thing, it is the massive size of this beast. It's not tall, but its width requires a decent amount of desk space. And when I say "decent," I mean it is nearly 2 feet wide. Fortunately, I had a lovely spot for the unit and really didn't have to deal with space issues. As with all printers, the Photosmart 8450 may be hooked up to a PC via a usual USB cord (the same kind your probably use for your digital camera and other external digital electronics). Strange, though, is the fact that despite this option a cord is not included. Also, Ethernet is a connectivity option and again—a networking cable is not included. If you want to print at the highest resolution (4800x1200) you must do so from a computer.
Enough with all those little quirks, the Photosmart 8450 does exactly what it intends. It prints photos. Considering I have a number of LaserJet printers at my disposal it is highly unlikely that I will ever use the unit as anything but a deluxe photo printer. This isn't so bad, especially considering it came to me both new and free from the manufacturer. I'm also pleased that the box comes stocked with one each of the three required ink cartridges (tri-color, photo, and gray). As with all HP ink jet printers I've ever used it requires a little bit of ingenuity to figure out how the cartridges clip into place. After pulling out the manual (this computer girl HATES manuals) I was ready to go and off printing a demo page.
The way I use the Photosmart 8450 is one of two methods. First off is the PictBridge method by which compatible cameras can print via USB. Most newer cameras should be equipped with this capability as it has been deemed an industry standard. This works easily—just plug your camera via USB (it was probably included in your camera's original packaging) to the front of the 8450 and watch as the photos appear one-by-one on the 2.5" color LCD screen on the printer. You can easily select to print individual photos or multiple copies of one photo. Users may also choose to print to 8x10 or 4x6 paper, and if printing to 8x10 may choose layout and size. It's a pretty self-explanatory process.
My preferred method is via the memory card dock on the left side of the printer. It is compatible with CompactFash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/MMC, and SmartMedia. I can easily pull out the SD card and insert it into the printer. As with the PictBridge method, the photos appear on the LCD screen and you can choose which and how many to print. So even if you don't have a computer, you can certainly print high-quality photos in the comfort of your own home.
As far as compatibility goes, the 8450 will work with Windows 98, ME, and XP (both home and professional) in addition to Mac OS X v 10.1.5, 10.2, and 10.3. However, like I mentioned, I have no intention on actually hooking the printer up to the computer. I have no doubt though that it would work well just as dozens of other LaserJet, DeskJet, and Photosmart printers have for me in the past. Other features include a 100-sheet input tray (for letter size paper) and a 20-sheet photo tray. For regular printing, HP specs say 20 PPM (color or black) and for photos I've experienced 2-3 per minute. It's slow, but the results are spectacular at near-lab quality.
The package also comes with a power cord/supply, startup and user guides, and CD-ROM software. Really, I think the great part of it all is how easy the printer hooks up and how nice the prints are. The HP Photosmart 8450 will set you back just under $200. The supplies are a bit pricey, too, with each of the three cartridges going for about $25. Photo paper will set you back between $20 and $30 for 100 sheets of 4x6 (the price differs according to finish).
If you are like me and prefer to have some control in which pictures get printed and which ones you want multiple copies of, the HP Photosmart 8450 is a great option. If you have the space, of course…
Quick Specs
Print Speed: Up to 20ppm on draft quality (black and color)
Recommended Monthly Volume: 3000 pages
Print Technology: HP Thermal Inkjet
Print Quality, Black: 1200x1200 maximum
Print Quality, Color: 4800x1200 maximum
Input Capacity, 8x10: 100 sheets
Input Capacity, 4x6: 20 sheets
Memory: 64MB
LCD Screen: 2.5 inch color
Connectivity: Ethernet, USB
Memory Card Compatibility: Compact Flash Type I and II, Smart Media, Secure Digital, MMC, Memory Stick, USB Flash Drive
Dimensions: 21.1 x 15.8 x 7.6 in.
Weight: 17.6 lb
_____________________________________
Related HP Printer Reviews:
HP Photosmart 250
http://www.epinions.com/content_83189010052
HP Deskjet 722c
http://www.epinions.com/content_67989442180
HP Color Laserjet 4600dn
http://www.epinions.com/content_99059928708
The Photosmart 8450 comes in a typical sized box but when extracted is immediately obtrusive. If I must complain about one thing, it is the massive size of this beast. It's not tall, but its width requires a decent amount of desk space. And when I say "decent," I mean it is nearly 2 feet wide. Fortunately, I had a lovely spot for the unit and really didn't have to deal with space issues. As with all printers, the Photosmart 8450 may be hooked up to a PC via a usual USB cord (the same kind your probably use for your digital camera and other external digital electronics). Strange, though, is the fact that despite this option a cord is not included. Also, Ethernet is a connectivity option and again—a networking cable is not included. If you want to print at the highest resolution (4800x1200) you must do so from a computer.
Enough with all those little quirks, the Photosmart 8450 does exactly what it intends. It prints photos. Considering I have a number of LaserJet printers at my disposal it is highly unlikely that I will ever use the unit as anything but a deluxe photo printer. This isn't so bad, especially considering it came to me both new and free from the manufacturer. I'm also pleased that the box comes stocked with one each of the three required ink cartridges (tri-color, photo, and gray). As with all HP ink jet printers I've ever used it requires a little bit of ingenuity to figure out how the cartridges clip into place. After pulling out the manual (this computer girl HATES manuals) I was ready to go and off printing a demo page.
The way I use the Photosmart 8450 is one of two methods. First off is the PictBridge method by which compatible cameras can print via USB. Most newer cameras should be equipped with this capability as it has been deemed an industry standard. This works easily—just plug your camera via USB (it was probably included in your camera's original packaging) to the front of the 8450 and watch as the photos appear one-by-one on the 2.5" color LCD screen on the printer. You can easily select to print individual photos or multiple copies of one photo. Users may also choose to print to 8x10 or 4x6 paper, and if printing to 8x10 may choose layout and size. It's a pretty self-explanatory process.
My preferred method is via the memory card dock on the left side of the printer. It is compatible with CompactFash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/MMC, and SmartMedia. I can easily pull out the SD card and insert it into the printer. As with the PictBridge method, the photos appear on the LCD screen and you can choose which and how many to print. So even if you don't have a computer, you can certainly print high-quality photos in the comfort of your own home.
As far as compatibility goes, the 8450 will work with Windows 98, ME, and XP (both home and professional) in addition to Mac OS X v 10.1.5, 10.2, and 10.3. However, like I mentioned, I have no intention on actually hooking the printer up to the computer. I have no doubt though that it would work well just as dozens of other LaserJet, DeskJet, and Photosmart printers have for me in the past. Other features include a 100-sheet input tray (for letter size paper) and a 20-sheet photo tray. For regular printing, HP specs say 20 PPM (color or black) and for photos I've experienced 2-3 per minute. It's slow, but the results are spectacular at near-lab quality.
The package also comes with a power cord/supply, startup and user guides, and CD-ROM software. Really, I think the great part of it all is how easy the printer hooks up and how nice the prints are. The HP Photosmart 8450 will set you back just under $200. The supplies are a bit pricey, too, with each of the three cartridges going for about $25. Photo paper will set you back between $20 and $30 for 100 sheets of 4x6 (the price differs according to finish).
If you are like me and prefer to have some control in which pictures get printed and which ones you want multiple copies of, the HP Photosmart 8450 is a great option. If you have the space, of course…
Quick Specs
Print Speed: Up to 20ppm on draft quality (black and color)
Recommended Monthly Volume: 3000 pages
Print Technology: HP Thermal Inkjet
Print Quality, Black: 1200x1200 maximum
Print Quality, Color: 4800x1200 maximum
Input Capacity, 8x10: 100 sheets
Input Capacity, 4x6: 20 sheets
Memory: 64MB
LCD Screen: 2.5 inch color
Connectivity: Ethernet, USB
Memory Card Compatibility: Compact Flash Type I and II, Smart Media, Secure Digital, MMC, Memory Stick, USB Flash Drive
Dimensions: 21.1 x 15.8 x 7.6 in.
Weight: 17.6 lb
_____________________________________
Related HP Printer Reviews:
HP Photosmart 250
http://www.epinions.com/content_83189010052
HP Deskjet 722c
http://www.epinions.com/content_67989442180
HP Color Laserjet 4600dn
http://www.epinions.com/content_99059928708
