HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 Cartridge Review

With regard to printing high volumes, laser printers are definitely the straightforward option. HP, in contrast, is trying to change this with the OfficeJet Pro 8500, an inkjet MFD (multi-function unit).

At 494mm wide, 331mm high and 479mm deep, the OfficeJet Pro 8500 is very close in dimensions to most lasers. It will connect to a Computer system by means of USB, but additionally provides both wired and wireless (802.11g) networking. Sitting at the front of the unit is a substantial control panel complete with a 3.5-inch, touch-sensitive colour display. Employing this, you are able to review as well as modify pictures and also gain access to additional features including the fax, copy and scan elements. While the display responds well, it would have been good to have some physical navigation buttons as an alternate option. Actually, almost all the buttons on the control panel are linked to fax utilization.

Should you have a bunch of documents to scan in, the usefulness of an ADF (automatic document feeder) shouldn't be underestimated, and the OfficeJet Pro 8500 includes a 50-sheet package. A minor issue is that the ADF tray feels a little flimsy.

An excellent touch is the duplex unit that connects to the rear end of the printer. Working with it is a shateringly long process but it's a helpful feature to own, even if the slow nature suggests that you possibly would not use it that often.

HP quotes some fairly ambitious print rates of speed of 35ppm for mono plus 34ppm for colour. When we ran several copies of an A4 page filled with text, we just managed 15ppm. In draft mode this accelerated to 23ppm. Colour photos take a lot longer, with our test picture, printed at A4 size, taking just below six minutes.

When it comes to quality, text output using the HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 ink cartridges is actually fine, but position a print side-by-side with that of a laser and you will quickly spot the OfficeJet Pro 8500's text is not as nicely defined. Colour picture prints, on the other hand, are significantly greater than you'd get from any sort of laser, looking vivid and including a good degree of detail. Then again, they're not as spectacular as those made by some other inkjets we've come across including the Photosmart C6380, also from HP.

With a highest possible resolution of 4800dpi, top quality scans can easily be taken. It managed to complete our test A4 colour scan in 24 seconds and we were pleased with the precise colour reproduction. As a photocopier the OfficeJet Pro 8500 equally is effective, making a colour A4 copy in 30 seconds. The exact same copy, although in black and white, needed 22 seconds.
With low running costs, the OfficeJet Pro 8500 is really worth thinking about as an alternative to a laser within the home office setting. The cost is pretty high nevertheless, you acquire a number of capabilities which includes a fax, scanner, copier and also built in wired and wireless networking. In spite of this, it isn't as quick as lots of lasers, which might be a deal buster if you are printing high volumes.

HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 printer cartridges are to be found here.