HP PhotoSmart Pro B9180 > Reviews > HP PHOTOSMART PRO B9180 - TOP NOTCH

Author's product rating:   

Picture quality	Excellent
Printing speed	Fast
Colour sensitivity	Excellent
Ease of use	Satisfactory
Value For Money	Good

Advantages:	Quality of print no matter what size
Disadvantages:	Cost

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Hi everyone, I hope the following review is helpful to you and please leave a feedback for me along with any comments if you have some.

As usual I will start with cost ......

*********COST********
There is definately a wide range of prices floating about on this product but £409.99 is probably the average. I have to admit that it really is probably 1 of the most expensive on the market.

*********SIZE***********
This is definately by no means a samll printer. But then again it has to be to cope with the fact that it can print up to A3+ prints. However, the main paper tray is small and it only needs to be fully opened when printing large sheets. the full dimensions are (W x D x H) 67 x 43 x 24 cm.

********SET-UP*******
The initial set-up is really quite lengthy. The inks have to be primed before you install the heads and as this printer uses separate colour cartridges and four, two-colour print heads, this in itself takes time, neverminding the fact that the printer takes half an hour to calibrate itself at the initial set-up. Also while it is doing this it produces a number of progressively improving print-outs. This is a one off calibration, but note that it does perform a shorter recalibration when it detects a different size of printer paper.

********PRINT QUALITY***********
I have to say with regards to speed and print quality, this is an excellent printer. But as I said this type of quality doesn't come cheap.
I have to say that the colours are definately very vivid and beautifully rich and solid. The colours blend naturally and are sharp. A plus to me is the borderless printing and you can do this up to A3+ (330 x 483 mm). I feel that the Printing Technology used (HP Thermal Inkjet) certainly works well. Also this printer automatically detects the size of paper you are using. The quality is as good in large prints as in small.

**********SPEED*********
Definately the print speeds are very good with this model. It can easily produce a A3+ print in less than 2min 30secs, to an excellent standard.

*********** WARRANTY***********
The standard warranty for this product is a one-year limited hardware warranty, but I know that this can be extended at some dealers.

***********INCLUDED**********
The Photo Printer itself (obviously), HP 70 Printheads (x4), HP 38 Pigment Ink Cartridges with Vivera Inks (8 individual ink cartridges), HP Photosmart Premier Software on CD-ROM, HP ProPrint plug-in for Adobe Photoshop®, user's guide, power cord and a quick start booklet.

*************OVERALL**************
Most definately this is a printer that is aimed at the professional and creative photographer. It is a real heavy duty printer and there is nothing dainty about it. It would definately appear more than capable of copying with heavy duty use. The colour quality is 1st rate as is the speed. It really does give you that superb opportunity to print large photos with A1 quality.
I really do have to say that unless you are a serious digital photographer, this is not the printer for you. The price reflects the quality.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this review. I really do hope this has helped you. Please do leave a feedback for me.

NOTE - WHY NOT CHECKOUT SOME OF MY OTHER REVIEWS.

Thanks again.