HP Deskjet D4260

Author's product rating:   

Picture quality	Excellent
Printing speed	Very fast
Colour sensitivity	Excellent
Ease of use	Very easy
Value For Money	Excellent

Advantages:	amazing value and quality
Disadvantages:	ink is expensive

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

**HP DESKJET D4260**

-Summary-

HP-- Hewlett and Packard was established in the US in 1939. Two extra-ordinary middle class university students (Hewlett and Packard) originally met 1934 and became good friends. In 1939 their HP brand was formed and that was where their American Dream began - while the US were trying to stablise a poor economy due to the Wall Street crash; Hewlett and Packard were in their shambolic garage, working in poor light, building an empire that was built to last beyond their own life times. Since 2001, a new CEO have been introduced and the product ranges have grown

The URL link for HP information and products is:

-www.hp.co.uk-

*The history behind HP*

The HP's website has a timeline of historical facts, and is worth a view. I have been well aware of Hp since the mid 1980's and knew of the branding with regard to computers and printing. HP did the first touchscreen printer around 1986.

It just shows that HP certainly make new technologies last. Very unusual considering the high turnover of computer components and updates that is bombarding the public on a daily basis.

-What you get with the HP Deskjet D4260 Printer-

Streamline and stylish printer, that is the most compatible on the HP market. It can almost be not a HP product as HP concentrate on user friendliness than style and trend. This product comes with an arrangement of different quality papers on purchase. Completely outlayed for --- A4 sized printing, also included – Printer tray, fitted to A4 paper. 1 Software CD including installation manual and printing drives - This printer is the most sought after printer at the moment, it is available online in various of outlets. I consult many individuals to go to Pixmania.com. Checkout the URL: www.pixmania.com

What Hp do so well and have done for over 50 years is to keep the functionality simple and not too complex. It is great to see that HP have combined style with functionality with the HP Deskjet D4260.

-HP Deskjet D4260 Printer and it's functionality-

This printer is ideal, for any Home/Small Business computer user. Directly facing on the left of the paper tray the printer is a 3 options – On/Off power button (indicates power) – Ink monitor icon button (indicates whether the ink is running low)– Paper tray button (indicates whether paper is in the printing tray) All 3 work efficiently and is explained in the manual.

-Installation-

Before any connections are made via USB/Cable to the PC the software printing drivers are required to be installed so that the PC can recognise a new connection has been made. The process is simple and after the installation is finished a small icon will appear at the bottom of your toolbar. This will be activated when prompted. The installation process will take no longer than 3-4 minutes of course dependant on the speed of your PC.

Make sure that the black and colour ink cartridges that you are using are compatible with this type of printer brand. A list is evident on all cartridge packages. The packaging will list the HP Deskjet D4260, if compatible.

HINT: For all ink cartridges/refills buy online at Inkclub, or ink.com as the deals are 15% better than the extortionate prices of ink cartridges that you can purchase at a retail shop such as Staples - Rymanns

-Paper tray-

The paper tray is adjustable and very stable. This later version has solved the adjustable tray problem with other models. The click in and out tray mechanism is much more secure and reliable for the longer print jobs. However, this brand of printer does solve the problem of alignment. The paper sheet capacity is 100 sheets within the tray and unlike earlier models can be left on a print run. Which is very reassuring.

-Printing-

This printer is perfect for the semi/professional photographer who relies on that bit of quality. The Inkjet filters are the main difference with this brand. What is noticeable is the fluidity of ink while printing. Five seconds after the print, it is obvious that the ink lays better on the paper. It does not matter if it is gloss or a matted finish. This printer is always in the warehouse and is currently my number one volumn printer (May 2007) The photographs that I’ve done on this printer are excellent. The trained eye would have a problem in finding a fault with the spec and quality. The only general problem is the layout of the commands, as you can accidently click off the printer when re-filling the paper tray. The printer has a thermal ink setting that is rather impressive and is perfect for maintaining a high standard of printing when on a 50 plus print run. It’s perfect for graphic presentations, office work, letters, reports and financial spreadsheets. The definition is of a good specification.

-The Spooling-

Yep, this is a weird phrase when used when collecting data from the PC to the printer. The length of time differs from how big the file is. I have found with this printer that the big file can take quite a while for the actual print job to take place. It can take up to 1 minute from after the prompt. Being quite an impatient person, I have kept on clicking the printing prompt button and found a spooling list dialogue that promptly confused the Deskjet printer can stall the whole process. It is mundane but very important to firstly be patient and if like me are not…. Click onto the toolbar printer icon and open up the printing lists and start cancelling them. Then start again. This is the only small irritation but it is worth a mention. This printer has a fast spooling process. Perfect for long reports.

-Printing quality-

I’ve touched on this already but I must add that the Deskjet D4260 series is of a very high standard. The slick printing lucidity adds to the fun of printing photographs.

-- The printing specifications are: --

BLACK – 1200 DPI (dots per inch, that is pixel dots) 1200 X 1200 DPI
COLOUR - 4800 DPI X 1200 DPI

This printer is neither more colour sensitive than black/white sensitive. The 4800 DPI X 1200 DPI shows how much detail the end print job would have when put through it's paces. It really is capable of a demanding schedule. What is evident is the shorter time frame from the paper on the paper tray to the end result. On average it takes 4 seconds for a full page colour print out (per page).

-- MT/ Digital Camera Extras --

USB/Cables slots for digital camera pictures and mobile phone pictures--- Pctbridge software deals with all the image requirements for printing purposes. All PC connected. Select the resolution you require for your image: I advise 300 DPI plus for a web located picture.

If any of you have a graphics card this printer would be able to emulate it to around 95%, there is room for improvement... but I'm really being picky. For versatility (movement) The Deskjet D4260 weighs in at 3.5 kg and is easily portable, within reason. It is extremely compact and sturdy, and is a 8/10 for versatility.

-My Verdict-

This is a superbly, reliable printer with no-hang ups of any kind. There are no irritating message errors that randomly invade your monitor HP products do not believe in spy-ware and their customer support team is very good at dealing with HP product enquiries. Not that you will have any.The D4260 software itself is very easy to manage and understand as it is self - explanatory. It is activated automatically when printing is required. When used efficiently this printer is at the top of its game. It is the highly recommended and you can see why, as all the minor glitches have been ironed out from previous models.

-Price-

This product retails for £51.40; with postage included £7.40. This is the best offer that I have seen online to date. (www.pixmania.com)

Thank you for reading this review,

I’m happy to answer any questions.