| y"> | | | | which clearly tells you when the unit is on followed by |
| Multi tasking color printers are growing in popularity with | | | | various "error" buttons warning you when there is a |
| consumers today especially as prices continue to drop. | | | | paper jam or a problem with the cartridge. Buttons |
| It isn't unheard of to be able to get one of these | | | | allowing you to pick the number of copies you want to |
| workhorses for "free" when purchasing a new | | | | print at a time, paper size, and paper type follow. |
| computer and monitor. One unit, the HP PSC 1210 | | | | Finally, the last two buttons help you to control the |
| All-in-One, is frequently included with these packages | | | | copying and scan features. |
| or sold through office stores at a nice discount. Let's | | | | I have used the product to produce some very sharp |
| take a look at this particular HP entry in the increasingly | | | | looking color flyers, business cards, and photographs. |
| crowded "all in one" market. | | | | As long as the paper I used was proper [what HP |
| By using the term 'all in one', consumers need to | | | | recommended], I received very good to excellent |
| understand what they are purchasing. In the 1210's | | | | results. |
| case you are receiving a unit that does three things: it | | | | You can, however, go through ink cartridges rapidly. In |
| copies, scans, and prints. It does not have a fax | | | | fact, one mass production project I performed had me |
| capability as some leading "all in one" products do. | | | | replacing the color cartridge after 250 copies or so. |
| Thus, you are receiving a "3 in 1" product, not a "4 in 1" | | | | Forget about purchasing HP replacement cartridges -- |
| product. Obviously, you will need to look elsewhere if | | | | too pricey -- instead, I bought replacements from an |
| fax capability is something you must have. | | | | online retailer, Carrot Ink. Carrot Ink's cartridges are of |
| Still, for what it does, the 1210 is a good product. | | | | excellent quality and the savings was close to 30% off |
| Specifically, it will do the following for you: | | | | the HP originals. Still, after I finished my printing |
| Give you color prints with up to 4800 x 1200 optimized | | | | campaign the ink alone costs exceeded the original |
| dpi (on premium photo paper with 1200 x 1200 input). | | | | $150. price for the unit! |
| Enable you to scan photos, documents, and pages of | | | | One thing that you will notice if you purchase the 1210 |
| books using the flatbed scanner with up to 600 x 2400 | | | | is that it does not include the required USB cable. If you |
| dpi, 36-bit color. | | | | have to purchase one, it will add another $20-25 to the |
| Permit you to print and copy fast: up to 12 ppm black | | | | price of the unit. Still, prices are coming down and you |
| and 10 color. | | | | should be able to get a discounted unit for less than |
| Be able to stay on top of ink replacement with the low | | | | $125 or a refurbished unit for under $100. |
| ink indicator. | | | | All in all, I give this unit four stars out of five. The only |
| Allow you to enlarge and reduce images 50-400% | | | | drawbacks are the lack of an included USB cable and |
| Give to you HP photo & imaging software that will | | | | the thirsty toner cartridges. Still, the machine will pay for |
| allow you to print stickers, fabric transfers, and more. | | | | itself quickly especially if you have been running to |
| Buttons on the top left side of the machine are easy | | | | Kinko's or Sir Speedy's on a regular basis to produce |
| to understand. There is a separate On/Resume button | | | | pricey color copies. |