Tech Sector: HP PhotoSmart 8150xi

I purchased an HP PhotoSmart 8150 photo printer today. I already own an HP OfficeJet G85 All-in-One printer (Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax) and love it, but the PhotoSmart sucked me in with its ability to quickly process photo prints from a memory card and its built-in proof sheet and layout features.

Printer Features:

- Accepts input directly from CompactFlash, Microdrive, SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick, MultiMedia Card and SecureDigital Card

- PictBridge camera port

- Bluetooth Wireless-ready

- Uses regular or photo printer paper, 8 1/2 X 11" or 4 X 6" from internal trays

- LCD screen to view and select photos for printing---no computer needed

- Prints in photo color up to 4800 dpi

- Functions as an inkjet printer when connected to a PC

Installation was a snap---I was up and running within 10 minutes, including installing the software suite on my Windows XP PC.

HP throws in some 4 x 6 and letter size photo sheets to give a taste of the quality, which is quite good to my eyes, certainly comparable to our photos processed by Kodak. The onscreen menus are easy to navigate and one can successfully print photos with just a few button presses. You can set up photos on full-size sheets pasted 2-up, 3-up, 4-up, or 9-up by turning a handy dial.

This is a solid, user-friendly photo printer which is a strong value, particularly at a $159 asking price. HP does a nice job making commonly-used controls readily accessible while preserving more advanced controls within the printer's firmware.

I will continue to use and share the results of my experience with this little printer (which takes up about the same desk real estate as your vanilla inkjet printer does), but for now, it looks like a nice pickup.

Recommended.