The Hp Photosmart C5280 is a true all-in-one printer that makes it easier than ever to print true-to-life pictures, make high-quality scans, copy and print documents.
Believe it or not, this can all be done without the need of a computer and only requires pushing a few easy-to-use buttons and easy-to-read step-by-step instructions on its built-in screen.
When the printer was first delivered, I was sceptical about how a printer that can claim to do so much can live up to expectations and the claims of its manufacturers. But after a month of testing, I was truly impressed. The first test I carried after unpacking the box and plugging in the power cable was to print a photo direct from the printer, without connecting it to my computer. I did this by inserting my camera’s CF card into the in-built card reader which can take Compact Flash (CF), Multimedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Mini SD, Memory stick Duo and xD-Picture Card.
The image was selected from its 6.1cm screen which does not sound large, but is big enough for all the necessary functions. I selected the size of the print, removed the red-eye effect with a few simple buttons and 27 seconds later the print was out. Simple as that.
I certainly was impressed. I have used a variety of home printers in my time which all claim to be lab-quality photo printers and this one really stood out – the prints were sharp, with very little colour bleed between contrasting tones.
This means there is no more need to wait to send your digital photos to a printing lab for your favourite holiday photos, or in my case embarrassing photos of my colleagues in compromising situations. This printer can do it for you without the need of leaving your chair.
My next step was connecting it to my computer. This was easy as is to be expected with products from a company like HP. Its dedicated software HP Photosmart Essential 2.0 made printing photos, documents and web printing effortless. Every step is explained so you can get the best out of your prints. The built-in scanner made scanning photos and documents very easy with a one-touch button directly on the printer. This printer can print 32 pages per minute in black and white and 24 pages per minute in colour and photos in 27 seconds. Scanning images up to A4 size at 4800Dpi is great for reproducing your old family photos or copying important documents. The photo printing is fantastic, with the HP tri-Colour Vivera ink making images coming to life with great true-to-life colours. In addition, its dual tray paper selection was fantastic, making switching from printing on a normal sheet of paper to printing photos effortless.
The printer automatically knows when you are trying to print a photo and selects the photo paper from its dedicated 10x13cm photo tray. The only defect that I found with the prints was that very occasionally, a faint line appeared in the side of the photo prints. A durable printer as expected, moving it from one side of the office to the other frequently had no ill effect, and I made no effort to be gentle.
Its USB 2.0 computer connection was fast, transferring images at good speed without hanging my computer which allows printing of large documents or images while performing other tasks easy.
In conclusion, the Hp Photosmart C5280 is worthwhile for anyone wanting an all-in-one system for home or the office to perform well with whatever task you throw at it, be it lab-quality prints, scanning or copying. This printer does it all and does it well. The feature that I enjoyed using most has to be printing as many photos as was needed to now have our newsroom covered in sharp and vivid photographs of daily life in the news. I have not seen such great results from a home all-in-one printer before. What a little gem.