The Hewlett-Packard Deskjet 5552 Printer is a compact good quality printer (for the money)
Last year I purchased a new computer from PC World and this printer was supplied as part of the deal.
It doesn’t take up too much desk space; it is 44cm wide, 21 cm deep and 14cm high. At the front is the paper sheet feeder, which sticks out from the front by 15 cm deep and 25cm wide.
It is supplied with everything that you need (set up instructions, printer software CD, Power Cord and adapter, black and colour cartridge and USB Cable
Set up was incredibly easy, my only decision was should I connect to the computer with the old style parallel port or use the latest USB connection. I opted for USB and this works very well.
I use the printer for domestic purposes which includes printing letters, documents, information from the Internet and pictures from my digital camera.
The specification for the printer is as follows:
Black Text Fast Draft Up to 17 pages per minute Everyday Up to 8 Pages per minute Normal Up to 6 pages per minute Best Up to 2 Pages per minute (1200 dpi text rendering)
Mixed Text (Black & Colour) Fast Draft Up to 12 pages per minute Everyday Up to 6 Pages per minute Normal Up to 4 pages per minute Best Up to 0.5 Page per minute (1200 dpi text rendering)
The printer also has a 6-ink colour printing capability by using a photo (hp58) and a tri-colour (hp 57) print cartridge. Using the 4800 x 1200 dpi setting will produce the best quality when printing photographs. I have not used this capability, but I have printed on the best quality setting onto photo quality paper and ended up with a very good result. I have put some pictures that I have printed into photo frames and to the un-trained eye you would not notice the difference.
As you might expect, printing on best quality seem quite slow, but I find that OK as I tend not to print in this mode that often. Printing in fast draft for general copies of letters etc. is very fast.
The printer also has 8 MB of built in RAM
Print Cartridges
The printer can use 2 of the following 3 Print Cartridges at any one time Black (HP56) Tri-colour (HP57) Photo (HP58)
I just use the black (HP56) and tri-colour (HP57) and I am very pleased with the results
Like all DeskJet printers the replacement print cartridge is very high compared to the purchase cost of the printer.
I have replaced the cartridges twice. The first time I used HP replacements and the cartridges were between £25 & £30 each. The second time I used an alternative from PC world, which were closer to £20 each. It is worth shopping around for replacements or considering getting your empty ones re-filled.
The printer itself is not expensive and should be purchased for approximately £50
For the money, I think this is an excellent printer and would recommend it. I have not had any problems at all and the only complaint is the cost of the print cartridges.
Hope you have found the review helpful and thank you for your read.
More details
Reliability
Excellent
Design
Good
Range of extra features / functions
Good
Instruction manual
Satisfactory
Manufacturer Support
Satisfactory
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