HP PhotoSmart 1215 Photo Printer

Product Description:

Based on the popular HP P1000, the HP PhotoSmart 1215 photo printer directly accepts CompactFlash and SmartMedia cards and prints wirelessly from infrared devices. No PC is required, but it is PC and Mac compatible. With 2,400 x 1,200 dpi resolution and HP's enhanced layering technology, photos are stunningly beautiful and text is razor sharp. The updated version is faster and quieter and has an optical sensor that automatically adjusts printer settings for the paper type.

To test the PS1215, we inserted our digital camera's CompactFlash card into the PS1215's slot and followed the LCD menus to print an index sheet that contained thumbnails of our photos. We also followed the menus to select a photo to print as an 8-by-10. The process was slow but intuitive, with most of our time spent waiting for the index sheet to print. The results were very good, with exceptionally sharp thumbnails and a surprisingly sharp and colorful 8-by-10, even using the printer's default normal mode.

Next, we installed the software drivers, connected the printer to our PC, and printed our standard test documents using the printer's three modes--draft, normal, and best. Mixed color and black text documents printed at 5.6, 2.1, and 0.9 ppm respectively. Black-only text documents printed at 6.3, 3.9, and 0.6 ppm. (All speeds were adjusted upward to account for first-page delay.) Draft documents were faded; normal documents were sharper and had more accurate color; best documents were exceptionally sharp, requiring close inspection to distinguish them from the output of a laser printer.

The PS1215 shined brilliantly in our color photo tests. On our PC, we used the included photo printing software to select our own high-resolution digital photos and to position them in the software's predefined page layouts. Samples were a bit slow to print--a typical 8-by-10 required 4 minutes and 28 seconds--but the output was superb on HP's premium glossy photo paper (sample pack included). Our samples displayed rich and accurate color, perfect register, fine detail, and realistic skin tones. There was no visible banding or smearing and only the faintest hint of pixelation.

The PhotoSmart 1215 is priced considerably above its sub-$200 rivals, but the dramatic improvements in quality justify the extra cost. It operates quietly, sets up easily, prints very sharp text on a variety of media, and produces beautiful color documents and photos. This remarkable performer is an excellent all-purpose printer. --Mike Brown

Pros

Cons

Product Details
  • Feature:
  • 2,400 x 1,200 dpi enhanced resolution using photo paper
  • Exclusive HP PhotoREt III color layering technology
  • Prints black text at 17 ppm, color at 13 ppm
  • Prints directly from digital camera memory cards
  • Parallel, USB, and wireless infrared interfaces; PC and Mac compatible
  • Binding: Electronics
  • Brand: Hewlett-Packard
  • Compatibility: PC Parallel
  • EAN: 0686024006114
  • Label: Hewlett Packard
  • Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard
  • PackageQuantity: 1
  • ProductGroup: CE
  • ProductTypeName: PRINTER
  • Publisher: Hewlett Packard
  • Studio: Hewlett Packard
  • UPC: 686024006114

Customer Reviews

Hate This Printer! Annoying messages to reset it !!!2005-03-21
I had had two HP printers. Both broke in the same places - where the paper shoots out from the printer; the wings or the "arms" which guide the paper from the printer - both broke easily.

Also I get an annoying message on my computer that the "yellow box marked !" is on and therefore I have to exit out of the printer mode and reset the yellow box so that the ! is deleted. Then go back into the printer mode. This is so annoying that I am never getting an HP Printer again.

If you look on the instruction book, the annoying message can never to resolved - only by resetting the message yellow ! again, and again!!!!!!!!
Recipe for grief2004-06-06
Until this product, I was a huge promoter of HP printers, but the HP 1215 apparently was designed with little attention to Apple compatibility. Unpredictably it refused to print first in 0S9 and then in 0SX. I'm frankly sick of downloading and reloading new drivers only to find they don't work and/or freeze up my entire computer. Because of this printer I've cleaned off my entire hard drive, lost valuable files and programs, and still wound up with a non-functional machine. It's been in my closet for 6 months, and I'm considerably happier with a new bottom-of-the-line Canon printer.
Great printer2003-09-21
I have had this printer for about 1 year and I love it!. I have had no problems with it.
Best inkjet printer I have ever used!2003-07-18
This printer is wonderful. The print quality is exceptional, the speed is plenty fast enough and it was exceedingly easy to set up. I get excellent quality prints everytime. If I see a little smudge, I just tell the printer to clean the heads and my prints are once again perfect. We now have two that we purchased from Amazon, and I am trying hard to justify getting another one for my home. The employees that regularly use these printers are extremely satisfied. And the price is amazingly low.
HP fan2003-07-07
I've had a HP842C for 3 years. On its last leg, I researched what printer (brands) to get, including all the HP's, and found the 1215 as the best buy. A friend told me the only thing good HP does is printers; don't know if that's true, but I am sold on their printers. I print mega digital photos, and the large ink cartridge is what sold me. I also publish a bi-monthly newsletter for my trade association, and my first copy from the 1215 was more than anticipated. I had forgotten what a good printer accomplished. The "normal" print selection produced text so crisp and clear; the color photos were superb. Print speed was quick - just watch out for the flying paper. The printer spits the paper out so quickly, some sheets landed on the floor. I've remedied that situation. Also had to buy a new 78 color, the print heads were dried up on the cartridge included in the box. Being an older model HP, I wasn't surprised nor angry. It's just one of those things. Overall, very satisfied. So much, I bought a second one!
See all 23 customer reviews...

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