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HP Photosmart C5280

81

Very Good

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Pros
Prints CDs and DVDs; easy control panel
Lots of useful software and utilities
Cons
Text looks feathery on plain paper
Onscreen manual thorough but disjointed

$232.00
From 1 Merchant

Performance: Good: 73
Features: Fair: 68
Design: Superior: 95

Find out how these scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Performance
300dpi Line Art Image (secs)	26.65
4 by 6 Color Photo (secs)	21.64
4 by 6 Grayscale Photo (secs)	21.99
Color Output Quality	Very Good
Color Photo Quality	Superior
Copy Output Quality	Good
Copy Quality	Good
Final Scan Time, 2-by-2-Inch Document, 600 dpi	16.8
Final Scan Time, 4-by-5-Inch Document, 100 dpi	6.88
Final Scan Time, One-Page Word Document, 300 dpi	18.88
Grayscale Glossy Output Quality	n/a
Grayscale Output Quality	Very Good
Line Art Output Quality	Good
One-Page Copy	23.91
One-Page Copy (secs)	23.91
One-Page Line Art, Maximum Resolution	Very Good
One-Page Webpage (secs)	27.71
One-Page Word Document, 300 dpi	Very Good
Overall Scan Quality	Very Good
Preview Scan, 2-by-2-Inch Document, 600 dpi	7.62
Preview Scan, 4-by-5-Inch Document, 100 dpi	7.43
Preview Scan, One-Page Word Document, 300 dpi	7.32
Sports Action Shot (secs)	80.01
Ten-Page Word Document	106.66
Ten-Page Word Document (secs)	106.66
Tested Color Speed (ppm)	2.4
Tested Glossy Photo Speed (ppm)	0.7
Tested Grayscale Speed (ppm)	2.7
Tested Lineart Speed (ppm)	2.3
Tested Text Speed (ppm)	7.3
Text Output Quality	Good
Three-Page Word Document	47.07
Three-Page Word Document (secs)	47.07
Total Scan Time, 2-by-2-Inch Document, 600 dpi	16.8
Total Scan Time, 4-by-5-Inch Document, 100 dpi	6.88
Total Scan Time, One-Page Word Document, 300 dpi	18.88
Two-Page Excel Document	52.23
Two-Page Excel Document (secs)	52.23

Scanning
Preview scan, 2-by-2-inch document, 600 dpi	7.62
Preview scan, 4-by-5-inch document, 100 dpi	7.43
Preview scan, one-page Word document, 300 dpi	7.32
Preview scan, one-page Word document, 300 dpi	7.32

Text Printing
Text output quality	Good

What You Should Know about the Photosmart C5280

Installed Memory is Ideal for Five or Fewer Users

This printer's installed memory is sufficient for small offices or workgroups that print typical business documents, such as memos, spreadsheets, or simple Web pages. If you have more than six people using the printer or the printer handles heavy traffic, you will want more memory than this printer provides.

Reviewed by: jikamens

Duration of ownership: 6 Months

Strengths: lots of features, fast text, easy setup and easy use

Weaknesses: Awful photo print quality since day 1. Stripes across the entire page of every print. HP has sent two replacement printers and five replacement ink cartridges, but none of them has solved the problem. I've asked for asked them to take back the printer, ink and paper, all of which were purchased directly from HP, and give me a refund, and they've refused.

Overall Evaluation: OK unit if you don't care abuot photo print quality. Awful service and support. HP used to be an amazing company, but no more.
Reviewed by: DippityDoo

Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks

Strengths: looks nice, has neat video screen.

Weaknesses: AWFUL Print software and USELESS CD/DVD print capabilites...

Overall Evaluation: After a 30 minute software installation on a dual xeon 3.0 running XP pro and 2 GB ram, I thought "this better be good for the install to take that long". I was sorely disappointed when I attempted to print a DVD. If you plan to print to CD's or DVD's, STAY AWAY from the C5280. The software they include limits you to using one of a few grotesque templates, and will not allow you to just put plain text where you please. You may not delete or alter the templates, and are even asked to "upgrade" to an even worse version of their terrible software for just $30 more. I truly feel scammed, as I am now unable to print directly to CD's or DVD's unless I want my discs to look like they were done by a 3rd grade special needs art class. I tried a few other CD print softwares, but this HP will not work with them. They clearly want you to stay with their awful program. If you plan to print to CD's or DVD's, save yourself a step and just put the unit directly into a dumpster.